What should you know about horrible acid reflux pregnancy?

Pregnancy hormones can relax the valve between the food pipe and stomach, while the growing uterus can increase pressure on the stomach. Acid may then move upwards, causing burning behind the breastbone, a sour taste, regurgitation, nausea or a cough. Symptoms can be worse after a large meal or when lying down. Chest tightness, severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting or trouble swallowing should not be assumed to be reflux.

Try smaller meals, eat slowly and remain upright after eating. Avoid lying down soon after food, and notice whether fatty, spicy or acidic foods trigger symptoms. Raise the upper part of your sleeping position if comfortable, and avoid clothing that presses on your abdomen. Ask a pregnancy clinician or pharmacist before taking an antacid, alginate or acid-reducing medicine; some products are unsuitable or need spacing from other medicines. Do not stop prescribed treatment without advice.

Seek urgent help for chest pain or tightness with breathlessness, sweating, faintness or pain spreading to the arm or jaw. Contact your maternity team promptly for severe or persistent vomiting, inability to keep fluids down, blood in vomit, black stools, severe abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing or symptoms that feel different from usual reflux.

Which medicines are suitable at my stage of pregnancy? Could another condition explain my symptoms? How long should I try lifestyle measures before review, and which warning signs need urgent care?