Heartburn in pregnancy: why it happens and what helps
Why your stomach burns in pregnancy, what to change about meals and sleep, why bicarbonate of soda is not the answer and when heartburn needs a doctor.
3 min read
In this article
Heartburn is the burning feeling that rises from your stomach to your chest and throat, often with burping, bloating or food coming back up. In pregnancy it happens because hormones relax the muscle that closes the stomach, and your growing baby pushes your stomach upwards. It can start from 12 weeks, but usually gets worse in the last months.
For most women it goes after the birth. Until then, small changes to meals and sleep make a big difference.
What helps
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1
Smaller meals, more often
One big plate at lunch presses on your stomach more than three small ones through the day.
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2
Eat dinner earlier
Leave at least 3 hours between dinner and bed. Late-night snacks make heartburn worse too.
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3
Sit up straight
Eat sitting upright and do not lie down straight after eating.
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4
Raise your head in bed
Prop your head and shoulders up with an extra pillow. Sleeping on your left side may help too.
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5
Less of what burns
Coffee, fatty and fried food, hot peppers and pickles often make heartburn worse. Notice which ones affect you.
Home remedies
Bicarbonate of soda in water. In many homes it is the first remedy for heartburn. It is not advised in pregnancy: it contains a lot of sodium and can upset the balance of salts in your body. If heartburn does not ease with the changes above, ask a pharmacist for a medicine that is suitable in pregnancy.
A glass of milk. It may soothe heartburn for a while, but it does not fix it. If it helps, that is fine, but do not drink large amounts before bed.
Medicines
A pharmacist can give you a medicine that neutralises acid or stops it rising. Always say you are pregnant, as not all are suitable. If you take iron or folic acid, do not take them at the same time as your heartburn medicine: leave at least 2 hours between them, as the medicine stops them being absorbed.
When to see a doctor
- heartburn does not ease with these changes and pharmacy medicines
- you find it hard to swallow
- you are losing weight, vomiting often or have tummy pain
Take care: heartburn that medicine does not help, especially with a headache, blurred vision or pain below your ribs, can be a sign of pre-eclampsia. In that case contact your doctor the same day. Read more in warning signs in pregnancy and after the birth.
Common questions
Does heartburn mean my baby will have lots of hair?
Can I take bicarbonate of soda for heartburn?
When does heartburn go away?
Sources we consulted
Written by the mam.al editors as general information. It does not replace advice from your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.