Instant heartburn relief in pregnancy

Pregnancy can make reflux more noticeable as hormonal changes relax the valve between the stomach and food pipe, while the growing uterus changes pressure in the abdomen. Heartburn may feel like burning behind the breastbone, a sour taste, or fluid coming up after meals. It is common, but severe or unusual symptoms should not automatically be attributed to pregnancy. Acid reflux, gastritis, a hiatus hernia, and a peptic ulcer can also cause upper digestive discomfort. Keep a note of timing, meals, and associated symptoms so your maternity clinician can assess the pattern.

Try smaller meals, eat slowly, remain upright after eating, and avoid meals close to bedtime. Raise your upper body during sleep rather than lying completely flat. Identify personal triggers such as rich foods, spicy dishes, citrus, caffeine, or fizzy drinks without cutting out nutritious foods unnecessarily. Before taking an antacid, alginate, or acid-reducing medicine, ask your obstetric clinician or pharmacist; some products are unsuitable at particular stages or can interfere with supplements and other medicines. Do not use bicarbonate-based home remedies unless specifically advised. See [Heartburn](/symptoms/heartburn/) and [Acid Reflux Medication](/treatments/medical-management/acid-reflux-medication/) for background.

Get urgent help for chest pressure, severe breathlessness, fainting, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, or back. Contact your maternity team promptly for severe upper abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, vomiting blood, black stools, difficulty swallowing, severe headache, vision changes, sudden swelling, or feeling very unwell. Symptoms that are persistent, worsening, or preventing food and fluids deserve a pregnancy-specific review.

Ask which medicine is suitable for your stage of pregnancy, how to separate it from prenatal supplements, and whether your symptoms suggest reflux or another condition.