Get the app
Pregnancy health

Heartburn during pregnancy: causes, relief and safe remedies

Why heartburn is so common in pregnancy, when it starts, simple ways to ease it, which antacids are safe, and when to see your doctor.

By the Prego team · Updated · 3 min read · How we create content

A 3D clay glass of milk and a small flame on a soft peach background

That burning feeling behind your breastbone, often with a sour taste at the back of your throat, affects up to half of pregnant people. It is uncomfortable but harmless for your baby, and it usually disappears soon after birth.

Why does pregnancy cause heartburn?

Two things combine:

  • Progesterone relaxes the valve between your stomach and your esophagus, so stomach acid can rise more easily. It also slows digestion, so food sits in your stomach longer.
  • Your growing uterus pushes up on your stomach, especially in the third trimester.

Heartburn can start in the first trimester, but it is most common from around week 27 onward.

10 ways to ease heartburn

  1. Eat smaller meals more often. Five or six mini meals are gentler than three big ones.
  2. Eat slowly and chew well.
  3. Don't lie down for two to three hours after eating.
  4. Raise the head of your bed by 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm), or prop yourself up on pillows.
  5. Drink between meals rather than with them.
  6. Notice your triggers. Common ones are spicy, fatty or fried food, citrus, tomatoes, chocolate, mint, coffee and fizzy drinks.
  7. Wear loose clothing around your waist.
  8. Try a little milk or yogurt, which soothes some people.
  9. Chew sugar-free gum after meals, which makes saliva that helps neutralize acid.
  10. Don't smoke, and avoid alcohol, as both are harmful in pregnancy and make reflux worse.

Which heartburn medicines are safe in pregnancy?

Many calcium-based antacids (such as Tums) are generally considered safe for occasional use. Your provider may suggest an alginate or, if symptoms are frequent, a prescription medicine. Some antacids aren't recommended in pregnancy, including those containing sodium bicarbonate or aspirin (salicylates). Always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist first, and remember that calcium antacids can reduce iron absorption, so don't take them at the same time as your prenatal vitamin or iron.

When heartburn could be something else

Pain high in your belly, just under your ribs on the right side, can be a sign of preeclampsia, especially with a severe headache, vision changes, swelling of your face or hands, or feeling very unwell. Call your provider straight away. Also get advice if heartburn stops you eating, you have trouble swallowing, you vomit blood or you are losing weight.

Frequently asked questions

Does heartburn mean my baby will have lots of hair?

There is a small study that found a link between heartburn and babies born with more hair, possibly because the same hormones affect both. It is a fun fact, not a reliable prediction.

Does pregnancy heartburn go away after birth?

For almost everyone, yes. Once your hormones settle and your uterus shrinks, heartburn usually stops within days of giving birth.

Can I drink milk for heartburn?

A small glass of milk soothes some people, but for others the fat can make acid worse later. Try it and see how you feel.

Sources

General information only, not medical advice. Always follow the guidance of your doctor or midwife.

History of updates
  • : Published.

Keep reading