Remedies for severe heartburn during pregnancy

Pregnancy hormones can relax the valve between the stomach and oesophagus, while the growing uterus can increase pressure on the stomach. This can allow acid to travel upward, especially after a large meal or when lying down. Heartburn is common in pregnancy, but persistent symptoms can overlap with acid reflux, gastritis or other digestive conditions.

Eat modest portions more often, remain upright after food, and avoid meals close to bedtime. Identify personal triggers such as rich, spicy or acidic foods. Ask a pharmacist, midwife or doctor before taking an antacid, alginate or acid-reducing medicine because pregnancy, other medicines and supplements affect the choice. Avoid borrowing someone else’s treatment or changing a prescribed medicine without advice.

Seek urgent care for chest pressure, severe breathlessness, fainting, vomiting blood, black stools, or sudden difficulty swallowing. Contact your maternity team or doctor if pain is intense, swallowing becomes difficult, vomiting prevents fluids, symptoms are new and unusual, or relief measures are not working. Upper abdominal pain with severe headache, visual changes or marked swelling also needs prompt pregnancy assessment.

Ask which products and ingredients are suitable at your stage of pregnancy, how to space them from supplements, and whether ongoing symptoms need assessment for another cause.