What should you know about serious heartburn during pregnancy?

Pregnancy hormones can relax the valve between the food pipe and stomach, while the growing uterus can increase pressure on the stomach. This may allow stomach acid to move upward and cause burning behind the breastbone, sour fluid, cough, or an unpleasant taste. Acid reflux is a common explanation, but gastritis, a hiatus hernia, or a peptic ulcer can cause similar discomfort. Heartburn symptoms do not by themselves establish any one diagnosis.

Try smaller meals, eat slowly, and remain upright after eating. Identify foods and drinks that trigger symptoms, and avoid eating close to bedtime. Raising the upper body during sleep may help some people. Ask your obstetric or primary-care clinician before using an antacid, acid-reducing medicine, herbal product, or medicine bought without a prescription. They can select an option suitable for pregnancy and check whether another condition needs attention.

Seek emergency help for pressure-like chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, sweating with chest discomfort, vomiting blood, or black stools. Arrange prompt medical review for food sticking, painful swallowing, repeated vomiting, unexplained weight loss, severe upper-abdominal pain, or symptoms that keep disrupting sleep despite pregnancy-safe measures. Do not assume new chest pain is heartburn, particularly if it feels different from your usual symptoms.

Could my symptoms be acid reflux or another stomach condition? Which medicines and doses are appropriate in pregnancy? Do my swallowing, vomiting, or chest symptoms need examination? What should I do if symptoms appear at night or after delivery?