Pregnancy indigestion at night

Indigestion may feel like fullness, bloating, belching, nausea, or burning in the upper abdomen. Pregnancy hormones can slow digestion and relax the barrier between the stomach and food pipe. Later in pregnancy, pressure from the uterus can add to reflux or a feeling that food is sitting heavily.

A late, large, fatty, spicy, or acidic meal may make symptoms more noticeable once you lie down. Nighttime indigestion can occur with acid reflux, but ongoing or unusual symptoms may also have another cause, so the timing alone does not establish a diagnosis.

Have your evening meal with enough time before bed for your stomach to settle, and choose a modest portion. Eat slowly, remain upright afterwards, and raise the head end of your sleeping surface if reflux is part of the problem. Avoid lying flat immediately after eating.

Notice whether coffee, fizzy drinks, chocolate, mint, tomatoes, citrus, chilli, or fried foods worsen your symptoms, then reduce only the triggers that matter to you. Gentle walking after a meal may help some people. If you need medicine, ask a healthcare professional to select an option suitable for pregnancy.

Arrange medical advice if indigestion repeatedly wakes you, limits food or fluids, or does not settle with routine changes. Get urgent help for severe or localised abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, vomiting blood, black stools, chest pain, or difficulty breathing.

Could my symptoms be reflux or something else? Which bedtime changes are sensible for my pregnancy? Is a medicine appropriate, and how should it be taken with my supplements? Which pain, vomiting, or stool changes should prompt urgent assessment?