Ways to ease heartburn during pregnancy

Pregnancy hormones can relax the valve between the stomach and food pipe, allowing acid to move upward. As pregnancy progresses, pressure from the growing uterus can add to reflux. The burning feeling may rise behind the breastbone and can be worse after meals or when lying down. Heartburn is common, but similar chest discomfort can have other causes.

Try smaller meals more often and eat slowly. Notice whether rich, spicy, acidic, or caffeinated foods trigger symptoms, then reduce personal triggers without cutting out nutritious foods unnecessarily. Avoid lying down soon after eating, and raise the upper body for sleep rather than stacking pillows under the neck. Wear comfortable clothing around the abdomen. Ask your maternity clinician or pharmacist before using an antacid, acid-reflux medicine, or home remedy, because some products are unsuitable in pregnancy or can affect other medicines. Do not stop prescribed treatment without advice.

Contact your maternity team or GP if symptoms are frequent, severe, worsening, or interfering with eating and sleep, or if swallowing becomes difficult. Seek urgent help for crushing or persistent chest pain, breathlessness, fainting, vomiting blood, black stools, severe upper-abdominal pain, or repeated vomiting. These signs should not be assumed to be ordinary heartburn.

Which antacid or acid-reflux medicine is suitable at my stage of pregnancy? Could another condition or medicine be contributing? What should I do if heartburn continues despite lifestyle changes?