Pregnant with acid reflux: what can you take?

Hormonal changes and pressure from the growing uterus can allow stomach contents to move upward, causing burning behind the breastbone, a sour taste, burping, or discomfort after meals. Symptoms may be worse when lying down. Reflux can also irritate the throat and contribute to cough or disturbed sleep. Chest symptoms should not automatically be labelled reflux.

Try smaller meals, eat slowly, and remain upright after eating. Avoid lying down soon after food, and identify personal triggers such as rich, spicy, acidic, or caffeinated foods. Raise the head of your sleeping position if your maternity clinician considers that appropriate. Before taking an antacid, alginate, acid-reducing medicine, herbal product, or leftover prescription, check its pregnancy suitability and timing with a pharmacist or doctor.

Get urgent help for crushing or persistent chest pain, breathlessness, fainting, sweating, vomiting blood, black stools, or severe abdominal pain. Arrange medical review if swallowing becomes difficult, vomiting prevents fluids, symptoms repeatedly disturb sleep, or heartburn does not improve with practical measures. A clinician can separate reflux from heart or other causes of chest discomfort.

Ask which non-prescription medicine is suitable, when to take it relative to prenatal vitamins, and how long to try it. Ask whether persistent cough, chest tightness, abdominal pain, or difficulty sleeping needs a separate assessment.