Relieving heartburn in pregnancy

Heartburn is reflux-related burning behind the breastbone or in the upper chest. It may be worse after meals, when bending, or when lying down, and can include a sour taste or regurgitation. Hormonal changes can relax the muscle that normally limits backflow from the stomach. As pregnancy progresses, pressure from the uterus may make reflux more noticeable. Symptoms that are persistent, severe or different from your usual pattern can also reflect acid reflux, hiatus hernia, gastritis or a peptic ulcer.

Keep meals smaller and take time to chew. Avoid eating close to bedtime and remain upright after meals. Track foods and drinks that bring symptoms on rather than removing broad food groups without a reason. Common triggers include rich or spicy meals, coffee, fizzy drinks, chocolate, mint and acidic foods, but individual responses differ. Choose loose clothing and ask your maternity team about a safe way to raise your upper body for sleep. Before using an over-the-counter product, check its ingredients and timing with a clinician or pharmacist, particularly if you take iron, vitamins or other medicines.

Book a review when heartburn repeatedly interrupts sleep, limits meals, or continues despite practical changes. Seek urgent help for chest pain with shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness or spreading pain. Contact a clinician promptly for difficulty swallowing, persistent vomiting, blood in vomit, black stools, severe upper-abdominal pain or unintentional weight loss. Chest symptoms should not be labelled heartburn without assessment.

Ask which treatment is compatible with your pregnancy, whether it should be taken apart from iron or prenatal vitamins, and what to do if symptoms return. Tell the clinician when symptoms began, what meals trigger them and whether you have pain when swallowing. Ask whether another condition needs to be ruled out.