Heartburn & Acid Reflux
Burning sensation in the chest and throat caused by stomach acid. Affects over half of all pregnant women, especially in the third trimester.
Medically reviewed by healthcare professionals | Last reviewed: March 2026
📅 When It Occurs
Can start in first trimester, typically worsens throughout pregnancy, peaks in third trimester
📊 How Common
Affects 50-80% of pregnant women at some point
Overview
Heartburn during pregnancy is an uncomfortable burning sensation in your chest and throat, often accompanied by a sour or bitter taste. It's caused by stomach acid flowing back up into your esophagus.
While anyone can experience heartburn, it's especially common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and the physical pressure of your growing baby on your stomach.
Heartburn often becomes more frequent and severe as pregnancy progresses, but it typically resolves completely after delivery once hormone levels return to normal and physical pressure is relieved.
📆 By Trimester
First Trimester
Can occur but usually mild, mainly due to hormonal changes
Second Trimester
Becomes more noticeable as uterus grows and presses on stomach
Third Trimester
Most severe as baby takes up maximum space and presses stomach upward
🔍 What Causes It?
- •Progesterone hormone relaxing the valve between stomach and esophagus
- •Growing uterus pushing stomach upward and compressing it
- •Slower digestion allowing more time for acid reflux to occur
- •Increased intra-abdominal pressure especially when lying down
- •Certain foods triggering more acid production
- •Larger meals overwhelming digestive capacity
💡 Relief Strategies
- ✓Eat small, frequent meals instead of three large meals
- ✓Avoid trigger foods: spicy, fatty, fried, acidic, and caffeinated foods
- ✓Don't eat within 2-3 hours of bedtime
- ✓Stay upright for at least an hour after eating
- ✓Sleep with your head elevated 6-8 inches (use pillows or bed risers)
- ✓Sleep on your left side which reduces acid reflux
- ✓Wear loose-fitting clothing that doesn't constrict your waist
- ✓Chew gum after meals to increase saliva and neutralize acid
- ✓Drink milk or eat yogurt to coat and soothe the esophagus
- ✓Sip on herbal tea (ginger or chamomile) after meals
- ✓Take antacids like Tums or Rolaids (calcium carbonate - safe in pregnancy)
- ✓Try papaya enzymes or papaya fruit to aid digestion
🛍️ Comfort Products That May Help
Comfort and preparation products other expecting parents find helpful at this stage. These are convenience picks, not medical advice — always follow your provider's guidance.
Acid-Reflux Wedge Pillow
An incline pillow that helps you rest more comfortably propped up at night.
Check Price on Amazon →Full-Body Pregnancy Pillow
U-shaped support for side-sleeping that helps take pressure off hips and back.
Check Price on Amazon →Amazon Associates Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. These recommendations are editorially chosen comfort and preparation products and are not medical advice.
⚠️ When to Call Your Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:
- ⚠Heartburn so severe it interferes with eating or sleeping
- ⚠Over-the-counter remedies don't provide relief
- ⚠Heartburn accompanied by severe stomach pain
- ⚠Vomiting that looks like coffee grounds or contains blood
- ⚠Difficulty swallowing or pain when swallowing
- ⚠Weight loss due to inability to eat
- ⚠Heartburn accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, or jaw pain
📅 Explore by Trimester
Learn how this symptom and others change throughout your pregnancy journey: