Articles

Key takeaways

• Indigestion and heartburn are common in pregnancy.
• Hormonal changes and your growing baby cause symptoms.
• Symptoms include chest burning, bloating, and burping.
• Seek medical help for severe or persistent symptoms.

What are indigestion and heartburn in pregnancy?

Indigestion and heartburn, also known as acid reflux, are common during pregnancy. These conditions can be caused by changes in your hormones. Your growing baby pressing against your stomach can also cause them.

You get symptoms when stomach acid irritates your stomach lining or gullet. This irritation causes pain and a burning feeling.

Common symptoms of indigestion and heartburn

Common symptoms of indigestion and heartburn include the following:

• A burning sensation – this is often felt as pain in your chest.
• Feeling full – you might feel heavy or bloated.
• Burping – also called belching.
• Feeling or being sick – you might bring up food.
• Bitter-tasting fluids – these can come into your mouth.

When you are pregnant, you are more likely to have indigestion. This is because the muscles between your stomach and gullet relax. This can allow stomach acid to come back up.

Tips for preventing and managing symptoms

Managing indigestion and heartburn during pregnancy often involves making changes to your diet and lifestyle.

Dietary adjustments

• Eat smaller, more frequent meals – Instead of three large meals, try eating 5-6 smaller meals throughout the day. This can prevent your stomach from becoming too full.
• Eat slowly – Give your body time to digest and chewing food fully.
• Avoid trigger foods – Certain foods and drinks can make heartburn worse. Try to avoid triggers like caffeinated drinks, acidic juices, and spicy or fatty foods to help manage your symptoms.
• Stay hydrated – Drink water between meals. Drinking large amounts with meals can fill your stomach.

Lifestyle adjustments

• Stay upright after eating – Gravity helps keep stomach acid down. Try to remain upright for at least an hour after eating, and avoid lying down immediately.
• Elevate your head in bed – If heartburn is worse at night, try raising the head of your bed. You can place blocks under the bedposts or use extra pillows to elevate your upper body.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing – Tight clothing around your abdomen can put pressure on your stomach, worsening symptoms.
• Avoid eating close to bedtime – Try to have your last meal a few hours before you go to sleep.

When to seek help for indigestion

You should see your midwife or GP if you need help managing your symptoms. You should also seek help if changes to your diet and lifestyle do not work. They may suggest medicine to help ease your symptoms.

Contact your midwife or GP if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty swallowing.
• A hoarse voice.
• A cough that does not get better or keeps coming back.
• Swollen glands on each side of your neck.
• Weight loss.
• Pain or swelling in your stomach.

Call your midwife, GP, or maternity unit if you have a very bad headache that does not go away. This can be a sign of pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia is a serious condition, so it's important that your care team checks it out to keep you and your baby safe.