What should you know about third trimester acid reflux at night?

Reflux may feel like burning behind the breastbone, a sour taste, or fluid coming up after meals. Lying down removes the effect of gravity, and the growing uterus can increase pressure around the stomach. A Hiatus Hernia or Obesity may also contribute to reflux symptoms, but night-time symptoms in pregnancy do not identify either condition. Reflux can irritate the throat and may contribute to Cough or difficulty sleeping.

Try smaller meals, avoid lying down soon after eating, and notice whether rich, spicy, acidic, or caffeinated foods trigger symptoms. Raise the upper body using a safe, stable arrangement rather than piling loose pillows under the neck. Sleep on your side if that is comfortable, keep water nearby, and ask your maternity clinician or pharmacist which antacid or reflux medicine is suitable in pregnancy. Keep a brief record of meals, timing, severity, and any medicine used.

Contact your maternity team promptly for severe or persistent upper abdominal pain, especially with headache, visual changes, sudden swelling, nausea, or feeling very unwell. Seek urgent help for chest pressure, fainting, breathlessness, vomiting blood, black stools, or difficulty swallowing. Arrange an assessment if symptoms are frequent, interfere with eating or sleeping, or do not improve with pregnancy-safe measures. Do not assume new Chest Tightness is reflux without checking it.

Which reflux medicines are suitable at my stage of pregnancy? Could another problem explain my symptoms? What should I do if burning comes with chest pressure or upper abdominal pain?