Heartburn during pregnancy.

If you're pregnant and have heartburn, you're not alone. Up to 80% of pregnant women experience symptoms in the third trimester.1 And many moms-to-be notice symptoms during the first or second trimester. Indigestion is also common.

Many women experience heartburn for the first time when they're expecting a baby. It happens when stomach acid rises up into your esophagus. Heartburn feels like a burning sensation and may cause pain behind your breastbone or leave a sour taste in your mouth, and indigestion may make you feel bloated or gassy. While heartburn is common, consult your OB/GYN to make sure you and your baby are fine. Also, ask your doctor if multi-symptom Gelusil® is right for you.

Learn about Gelusil® (ANTACID & ANTI-GAS)

What causes heartburn during pregnancy?

There are many things that can set off heartburn when you're pregnant. Some are common for everyone, like dietary and lifestyle choices, and some are unique to pregnancy. Your hormones are changing and may actually slow down digestion. Also, your growing baby may press up on your stomach, causing food and acid to come back up.

Tips to prevent heartburn symptoms during pregnancy.

  • Eat small meals throughout the day
  • Eat slowly
  • Drink fluids between meals and not while eating
  • Avoid certain foods and drinks
  • Don't eat or drink within a few hours of bedtime
  • Control weight gain — ask your doctor about guidelines
  • Wear comfortable clothes that aren't tight fitting
  • Elevate your head when you sleep

Foods and drinks to avoid

If symptoms don't improve, ask your doctor about using an antacid like Gelusil®, which contains an antacid/anti-gas formula designed to relieve the symptoms that you may be experiencing: heartburn, acid indigestion, bloating, and gas.

When to see your doctor.

When you first experience heartburn symptoms, talk to your OB/GYN. Ask about any medication that you're considering taking, too. If heartburn symptoms worsen or become severe, contact your doctor immediately because medical attention might be required.

  1. Neilson JP. Interventions for heartburn in pregnancy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2008;(4):CD007065. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007065.pub2.

(Other sources of information used to write this section include:)

Vazquez JC. Constipation, haemorrhoids, and heartburn in pregnancy. Clin Evid (Online). 2008;2008:1411. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2907947/. Published February 20, 2008. Accessed May 20, 2013.

Womenshealth.gov. Pregnancy: Body changes and discomforts: Heartburn and indigestion. http://womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/you-are-pregnant/body-changes-discomforts.cfm#f. Updated September 27, 2010. Accessed May 20, 2013.

March of Dimes Foundation. Your pregnant body. http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/yourbody_heartburn.html. Published August 2009. Accessed May 20, 2013.