Too much heartburn during the third trimester

Too much heartburn during the third trimester may reflect increased abdominal pressure, but severe or persistent symptoms need pregnancy-specific medical advice. Burning behind the breastbone, sour taste, or fluid rising into the throat can be worse after meals or when lying down. Keep track of changes rather than assuming every upper-body discomfort is reflux.

Pregnancy hormones can relax the valve above the stomach, and the growing uterus can press on the stomach. This can make Acid Reflux symptoms more noticeable in the third trimester. Meals that are large, rich, spicy, or close to bedtime may add to the discomfort. Gastritis, Hiatus Hernia, or Peptic Ulcer can produce overlapping upper-abdominal symptoms; the presence of heartburn does not identify one of these conditions by itself. Tell your maternity team if pain is new, severe, or unlike your usual reflux.

Choose smaller meals and stay upright while digestion begins. Avoid lying down immediately after eating, and note individual triggers such as acidic, spicy, or fatty foods. Sip fluids as comfortable and avoid anything that clearly worsens symptoms. Ask your maternity clinician or pharmacist about suitable antacids or an Acid Reflux Medication; do not borrow medicines or assume a product is appropriate because it was safe before pregnancy. Mention all supplements and medicines at the review.

Contact your maternity team promptly if heartburn is difficult to control, prevents eating or sleeping, causes repeated vomiting, or comes with severe upper-abdominal pain, headache, vision changes, sudden swelling, or feeling very unwell. Seek emergency help for chest pain with breathlessness, faintness, sweating, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw. Vomiting blood, black stools, or inability to keep fluids down requires urgent assessment.

Could this be reflux or another pregnancy problem? Which treatment is suitable at my stage? How should I space a heartburn medicine from other medicines or supplements? Which symptoms require immediate maternity assessment?