Heartburn During Pregnancy: Relief & What You Can Take

Between weeks 13 and 27, 133 of the 800 women who checked in with Pregnancy Safe reported heartburn (16.6%). That combines the whole span, rather than showing the chance of heartburn in any one week.

Percent of women checking in each week who reported this symptom. Weeks meeting our reporting cutoff: 4–9. Missing weeks are not zero; this is not an individual symptom timeline.

These self selected check ins are not clinical prevalence or your personal likelihood of heartburn. No logged symptom does not mean no symptom.

Among 396 women who reported heartburn in Pregnancy Safe, here's how many also logged these symptoms on at least one of the same check-ins:^*

• Gas: 55.6% (220 of 396 women)
• Bloating: 54.5% (216 of 396 women)
• Nausea: 48.2% (191 of 396 women)

These reports show symptoms logged together, not that one symptom caused another.

For relief now, stay upright rather than lying down. Yogurt or sugar free gum may help, though neither guarantees quick relief. Intermountain Health suggests these options.

• Eat smaller meals more slowly.
• Cut back on rich, fatty or spicy foods if they trigger your symptoms.
• Choose clothing that does not squeeze your stomach.

Does water make heartburn worse? Don't assume water itself is the problem. Try drinking between meals and taking small sips with meals. This is about timing, not reducing your overall hydration.

If changes are not helping, ask your care team rather than trying more home remedies. See nighttime relief and medicine options for next steps.

Leave three hours between eating and bedtime. Raise your head and shoulders when you lie down, and try sleeping on your left side. These are NHS suggestions for nighttime reflux.

Tell your care team if heartburn wakes you. Positioning advice does not replace immediate care for breathing difficulty.

Antacids neutralize stomach acid; alginates help stop it flowing upward. Tell the pharmacist you are pregnant because some products are unsuitable. The NHS explains these options.

Tums is an antacid; ask your pharmacist or clinician to check the specific formulation and ingredients before using it.

Keep antacids at least two hours apart from iron or folic acid supplements. A clinician may prescribe acid reducing medicine if treatment fails. Do not stop prescribed medicines independently. Check treatment and supplement timing, and follow the urgent assessment advice if heartburn medicines do not help.

Reflux is stomach acid moving upward; heartburn is the chest or throat burning it causes. Sour taste or regurgitation may accompany it, alongside indigestion. Pregnancy hormones slow digestion and relax the stomach valve; the growing uterus adds pressure. Learn about these changes.

Heartburn can begin at any stage. In the third trimester, a larger uterus increases stomach pressure; episodes may become more frequent or uncomfortable. It usually improves after birth; ask your provider about persistent symptoms. There isn't a fixed length for each episode or a deadline for improvement after birth.

For your care team conversation, note:

• Your pregnancy week and where you feel the burning.
• When burning happens, how often and whether it interrupts sleep.
• Treatments tried and current medicines or supplements.
• Contact your care team about swallowing difficulty, blood brought up, black stools or weight loss.

Example: “I'm 24 weeks pregnant. Burning after dinner wakes me twice weekly. I've tried smaller meals and yogurt. What next?” For urgent symptoms, seek care instead of waiting for a message reply.