Indigestion in the third trimester

As pregnancy progresses, the growing uterus can crowd the stomach, while hormonal changes can relax the valve between the stomach and food pipe. This may cause burning, sour fluid, bloating, belching, or discomfort after meals. Pregnancy-related indigestion does not prove a separate illness, although Acid Reflux, Gastritis, Gallstones, a Hiatus Hernia, a Peptic Ulcer, or Helicobacter Pylori Infection can also cause upper-abdominal symptoms.

Describe the exact location and timing of pain, whether food or lying down makes it worse, and whether you have headache, visual changes, swelling, vomiting, or reduced fetal movement. These details help the maternity team judge urgency.

Eat smaller portions more often, avoid lying down soon after eating, and raise your upper body when resting if advised. Limit foods that reliably trigger burning, and drink fluids in a way that feels comfortable. Before taking an antacid, Acid Reflux Medication, herbal product, or supplement, check with your obstetric team or pharmacist because pregnancy and other medicines affect the choice.

Keep prenatal appointments and mention symptoms that are new, frequent, or interfering with sleep or eating. Do not use someone else’s medicine or change a prescribed medicine without advice.

Contact maternity care urgently for severe upper-abdominal pain, especially beneath the ribs, severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling, heavy vomiting, chest pain, breathlessness, vaginal bleeding, fluid leakage, or reduced fetal movement. Seek emergency help for collapse, vomiting blood, black stools, or rapidly worsening illness. Contact your maternity team for persistent symptoms even without these warning signs.

Ask: Which foods or medicines should I avoid? Is an antacid or reflux treatment suitable for my pregnancy? Could these symptoms need another assessment? Which symptoms should send me directly to maternity triage?