Ways to help with acid reflux while pregnant

Acid reflux happens when stomach contents move back towards the food pipe. Pregnancy hormones can relax the valve above the stomach, while pressure from the growing womb can make upward movement easier. Burning behind the breastbone, a sour taste, cough, or disturbed sleep may result. A chronic cough can have several causes, so do not assume every cough is reflux. A hiatus hernia or obesity may also contribute in some people.

Eat smaller meals and take time over them rather than becoming overly full. Stay upright after eating and avoid lying down soon afterwards. If night symptoms occur, ask your maternity clinician how to raise the upper body safely. Note foods and drinks that trigger symptoms and limit those that clearly affect you. Avoid tight clothing around the abdomen. Ask a pharmacist, obstetric clinician, or doctor before using an antacid or other medicine, because pregnancy and other medicines can change what is suitable.

Seek medical advice when reflux is persistent, severe, affecting sleep or eating, or not improving with basic measures. Urgent assessment is needed for chest tightness with breathlessness, faintness, sweating, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw; vomiting blood; black stools; severe abdominal pain; repeated vomiting; or difficulty swallowing. Contact your maternity team if you cannot keep fluids down.

Ask whether your symptoms fit acid reflux, which pregnancy-appropriate treatment to use, and whether cough, abdominal pain, or difficulty sleeping needs a separate assessment.