Pregnancy symptoms
What can I do for pregnancy heartburn?
Smaller meals, staying upright after eating and avoiding fatty or spicy food help most women.
Heartburn is very common later in pregnancy because the growing womb pushes on the stomach and hormones relax the valve at the top of it.
Eat smaller meals, avoid eating close to bedtime, prop your head and shoulders up at night, and cut back on fried, spicy and very acidic foods. Your clinic can advise on antacids that are safe in pregnancy.
What you can do
- Eat small meals and stay upright for an hour after eating
- Sleep with your upper body raised
- Ask your clinic which antacid is safe for you
When to seek care
- Severe pain under the ribs on the right with headache or blurred vision
Pain high in the stomach with headache, blurred vision or swelling can be a sign of pre-eclampsia — be checked the same day.
This information is general health education and does not replace advice from your nurse, midwife or doctor. In an emergency go to your nearest facility.