What should you know about tips for heartburn in pregnancy?

Pregnancy hormones can relax the valve between the food pipe and stomach. As the uterus grows, pressure on the stomach can also encourage acid to move upwards. This may cause burning behind the breastbone, a sour taste, burping or discomfort after eating, especially when lying down.

Heartburn is usually separate from pregnancy complications, but chest pain, severe upper abdominal pain, severe headache, visual disturbance or sudden swelling need urgent advice because they can occur with conditions such as pre-eclampsia or other problems.

Try smaller meals more often, eat slowly, and remain upright after eating. Avoid lying down soon after a meal, and raise your upper body during sleep if that is comfortable and approved for your stage of pregnancy. Notice whether spicy, fatty, acidic or caffeinated foods trigger symptoms, then reduce the triggers that affect you rather than removing foods unnecessarily.

Ask your maternity clinician or pharmacist before taking an antacid, alginate or acid-reducing medicine. They can check the product, dose and timing against your pregnancy and other medicines. Do not rely on home remedies that have not been checked for pregnancy safety.

Contact your maternity team if symptoms are frequent, severe, affecting sleep or eating, or not improving with simple measures. Seek urgent care for crushing or persistent chest pain, trouble breathing, vomiting blood, black stools, severe upper abdominal pain, severe headache, visual changes or sudden swelling of the face and hands.

Which foods or medicines should I avoid? Is an antacid or alginate suitable for me? Could another condition explain this pain? What symptoms mean I should contact the maternity unit immediately?