Nighttime acid reflux in pregnancy: what to know

Pregnancy hormones can relax the valve between the stomach and oesophagus, while the growing uterus can place more pressure on the stomach. This may cause burning, a sour taste, burping, throat irritation, or a night cough. Reflux itself does not mean that a serious pregnancy problem is present, but symptoms can overlap with other causes of chest or abdominal discomfort. A hiatus hernia or an existing acid reflux condition may also contribute.

Eat smaller meals, remain upright after eating, and leave several hours between an evening meal and bedtime when practical. Identify personal triggers such as spicy or fatty foods, acidic drinks, caffeine, or chocolate without restricting nutrition unnecessarily. Raise the head and upper body with a suitable wedge, and ask your maternity clinician about the safest sleep position for your stage of pregnancy. Do not start antacids, alginates, or acid-lowering medicines without checking with a pharmacist, midwife, obstetrician, or doctor, because product ingredients and suitability vary.

Contact your maternity team if reflux is persistent, prevents sleep, makes eating difficult, or is not helped by recommended measures. Seek urgent help for chest tightness with breathlessness, faintness, sweating, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw. Prompt assessment is needed for severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, vomiting blood, black stools, difficulty swallowing, or symptoms that feel unlike your usual reflux.

Ask which non-prescription products are suitable at your stage of pregnancy, how to separate them from prenatal medicines, and whether your symptoms need another explanation. Tell the team about night cough, sleep loss, vomiting, chest sensations, and any medicines or supplements you already use.