Ways to relieve acid reflux during pregnancy

Pregnancy hormones can relax the valve between the stomach and food pipe, while the growing womb can increase pressure on the stomach. Acid may then move upwards, causing burning behind the breastbone, a sour taste, belching or cough. Reflux can be more noticeable after a large meal or when lying down. A separate condition such as a Hiatus Hernia can also contribute.

Eat smaller portions more often and identify foods or drinks that trigger symptoms. Leave time between eating and lying down, and sit upright after meals. Raise the upper body during sleep using a safe, comfortable arrangement rather than compressing the abdomen. Wear loose clothing around the waist. Ask a maternity clinician or pharmacist before taking antacids, alginates or acid-reducing treatment, because not every product is suitable in pregnancy and timing can matter with supplements or other medicines.

Contact your maternity team or doctor if symptoms are frequent, severe, affecting sleep, or not settling with self-care. Seek urgent help for chest tightness with breathlessness, faintness or sweating, severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood, black stools, or difficulty swallowing. A persistent cough or unexplained weight loss also needs review rather than repeated self-treatment.

Which reflux medicines are suitable at my stage of pregnancy? Could my supplements affect treatment timing? Do my symptoms suggest another cause, and what should I do if reflux is disturbing sleep?