Quick remedy for heartburn during pregnancy

Heartburn is a burning feeling behind the breastbone caused when stomach contents move upward and irritate the food pipe. Pregnancy hormones can relax the valve between the stomach and food pipe, while the growing uterus can increase pressure on the stomach. Symptoms may be worse after a large meal, when bending, or when lying down. Heartburn can occur with Acid Reflux, but chest discomfort should not be self-diagnosed.

Choose smaller meals, eat slowly and remain upright after eating. Avoid lying down soon after food; raise the upper body during sleep if advised. Notice whether fatty foods, spicy meals, citrus, chocolate, mint, coffee or fizzy drinks trigger symptoms, and reduce only the items that affect you. Ask your maternity clinician or pharmacist before taking antacids or Acid Reflux Medication, because product ingredients and timing matter in pregnancy. Avoid unapproved herbal remedies and do not stop prescribed treatment without advice.

Seek urgent help for severe or squeezing chest pain, breathlessness, fainting, vomiting blood, black stools, or sudden severe upper abdominal pain. Contact your maternity team promptly for severe headache, vision changes, swelling or pain under the ribs with feeling unwell. Arrange a review if heartburn is persistent, affects eating or sleep, causes repeated vomiting, or does not improve with agreed measures. Gastritis, Hiatus Hernia and Peptic Ulcer can also cause upper digestive symptoms and need different assessment.

Ask which medicine and dose are suitable at your stage of pregnancy, whether another medicine could be aggravating symptoms, and whether testing is needed. Tell them about swallowing difficulty, vomiting, weight change and the timing of pain.