5 Ways To Get Relief

You can find relief by making lifestyle changes or by taking certain medications if you have heartburn during pregnancy. Heartburn can happen as your uterus presses on your stomach and pushes acid up your esophagus.

Heartburn is common in pregnancy. Hormones released during pregnancy can relax the valve between your stomach and esophagus. This allows stomach acid to escape, which causes an uncomfortable burning in your throat or chest. This sensation is known as heartburn, indigestion, or acid reflux.

Food stays in your stomach for longer when you are pregnant. Eat smaller meals throughout the day to avoid an overly full stomach. You can also stop eating at least three hours before bedtime if you develop heartburn while you are trying to sleep.

You can also limit foods and drinks that trigger your heartburn to prevent mild symptoms, such as: 

• Acidic foods, such as citrus fruits
• Caffeine
• High-fat foods
• Spicy foods 

Adjusting how often, what, and when you eat may help you prevent mild heartburn during pregnancy. These lifestyle changes may not work for everyone, and they likely will not help intense heartburn. They may be worth trying before you seek stronger medications.

Most over-the-counter (OTC) antacids like Tums (calcium carbonate) are safe to take while pregnant. Antacids typically come in chewable tablets that contain magnesium, aluminum, or calcium salts. These minerals help neutralize stomach acid to avoid a burning sensation. 

Talk with a healthcare provider before taking an antacid. They can help you choose a pregnancy-safe antacid and decide when it’s best to take it. Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) and sodium bicarbonate antacids like Alka-Seltzer are not safe for pregnancy. Alka-Seltzer can cause swelling and affect your blood’s acid balance.

Complications while pregnant are rare unless you take extremely high doses. Antacids can interact with iron and folic acid absorption. You should not take them with other medications or supplements. 

Side effects of antacids may include:

A healthcare provider may suggest you take alginates with antacids for more heartburn relief. Alginates are medications that create a gel layer on top of your stomach acid. This gel helps create a barrier to keep stomach acid from escaping.

Bedtime snacking and mid-day naps may be hard to avoid during pregnancy. Lying down after eating can bring on heartburn. It places pressure on your stomach, which could push up stomach acid. Avoid lying down four about three hours after eating whenever possible.

Try to avoid lying down flat to relieve mild heartburn. Keep your body slightly elevated if you need to lie down after a meal. This position avoids additional pressure on your stomach that would let acid escape.

Try using a foam wedge or block to prop yourself up into an elevated position of about 6-8 inches at night. Research has shown elevating the head in bed can improve heartburn.

Keep in mind that elevating your head is not a cure for heartburn. It’s only a way to find relief. This minor change may also not work for you if other pregnancy factors, like hormone changes, cause your heartburn.

H2 blockers—also called H2 receptor blockers or H2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs)—may be helpful if lifestyle changes and antacids do not work. These OTC or prescription drugs suppress stomach acid production to relieve heartburn. H2RAs are the most common medication used to help treat acid reflux during pregnancy.

H2 blockers, such as Pepcid (famotidine), are safe during pregnancy. They are approved as a short-term treatment for mild heartburn or indigestion.

Talk to a healthcare provider about what H2 blockers may relieve heartburn symptoms. They may recommend an OTC option or prescribe you a stronger medication.

You are unlikely to experience side effects on H2 blockers. Mild side effects may include diarrhea, constipation, and headaches. They can also interact with some medications, such as theophylline, certain SSRIs, or warfarin. 

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are OTC or prescription drugs like Prevacid (lansoprazole) that reduce stomach acid production. They are more powerful than H2 blockers but can be slower to work, which causes a delay in relief.

PPIs also put you at greater risk for infections and bacteria overgrowth. Only use PPIs if you have acid reflux complications or other treatment options that do not work when you are pregnant.  Most PPIs are safe for pregnant people.

Side effects are typically rare for short-term and low-dosage use of PPIs. Some side effects may include:

• Back or belly pain
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Upper respiratory infections (URIs)

Talk with a healthcare provider if heartburn during pregnancy is a persistent concern. There are easy ways to find relief, including taking pregnancy-safe antacids, H2 blockers, or PPIs. You can also make simple lifestyle changes to help prevent heartburn in the first place.