What is Heartburn During Pregnancy

Heartburn is pain or discomfort in the throat or chest. It may cause a burning feeling. It happens when stomach acid moves up into the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach (esophagus). Heartburn is common during pregnancy. It usually goes away or gets better after giving birth.

Follow these instructions at home:

Eating and drinking

• Do not drink alcohol while you are pregnant.
• Figure out which foods and beverages make you feel worse, and avoid them.
• Beverages that you may want to avoid include:
  • Coffee and tea (with or without caffeine).
  • Energy drinks and sports drinks.
  • Bubbly (carbonated) drinks or sodas.
  • Citrus fruit juices.
• Foods that you may want to avoid include:
  • Chocolate and cocoa.
  • Peppermint and mint flavorings.
  • Garlic, onions, and horseradish.
  • Spicy and acidic foods. These include peppers, chili powder, curry powder, vinegar, hot sauces, and barbecue sauce.
  • Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and limes.
  • Tomato-based foods, such as red sauce, chili, and salsa.
  • Fried and fatty foods, such as donuts, french fries, potato chips, and high-fat dressings.
  • High-fat meats, such as hot dogs, cold cuts, sausage, ham, and bacon.
  • High-fat dairy items, such as whole milk, butter, and cheese.
• Eat small meals often, instead of large meals.
• Avoid drinking a lot of liquid with your meals.
• Avoid eating meals during the 2–3 hours before you go to bed.
• Avoid lying down right after you eat.
• Do not exercise right after you eat.

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen, or other NSAIDs unless your doctor tells you to do that.
• Your doctor may tell you to avoid medicines that have sodium bicarbonate in them.

General instructions

• If told, raise the head of your bed about 6 inches (15 cm). You can do this by putting blocks under the legs. Sleeping with more pillows does not help with heartburn.
• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing.
• Try to lower your stress, such as with yoga or meditation. If you need help, ask your doctor.
• Stay at a healthy weight. If you are overweight, work with your doctor to safely lose weight.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• You get new symptoms.
• Your symptoms do not get better with treatment.
• You have weight loss and you do not know why.
• You have trouble swallowing.
• You make loud sounds when you breathe (wheeze).
• You have a cough that does not go away.
• You have heartburn often for more than 2 weeks.
• You feel sick to your stomach (nauseous), and this does not get better with treatment.
• You are throwing up (vomiting), and this does not get better with treatment.
• You have pain in your belly (abdomen).

Get help right away if:

• You have very bad chest pain that spreads to your arm, neck, or jaw.
• You feel sweaty, dizzy, or light-headed.
• You have trouble breathing.
• You have pain when swallowing.
• You throw up and your throw-up looks like blood or coffee grounds.
• Your poop (stool) is bloody or black.