Heartburn is when you feel burning or irritation in your throat area (esophagus) from food and stomach acid coming back up from your stomach. It is very common during pregnancy. Heartburn is caused by hormone changes and the pressure of your growing baby on your stomach.

There are a few things you can try to help you cope with heartburn during pregnancy.

Food

Avoiding certain foods can help make your heartburn less severe. However, the types of food that can make heartburn worse can vary a lot from person to person.

You may want to try avoiding these foods to see if your heartburn improves:

• Acidic food, such as citrus fruit and tomatoes
• Spicy foods
• Foods that are high in fat or fried
• Food or drinks with caffeine such as coffee, tea or cola drinks

You may want to try drinking milk to decrease the amount of heartburn you are experiencing.

Lifestyle Changes

There are also a few lifestyle-related changes you can try:

• Sit up during meals and stay sitting up for 45 to 60 minutes after eating.
• Avoid eating two hours before bedtime.
• Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day. Avoid eating large amounts of food at one time.
• Wear loose fitting clothes so there is less pressure on your stomach.

Some heartburn medications are safe during pregnancy. Speak with your health care provider to find out which medications to try.

More Information

• Healthy Start for Mom and Me – Heartburn During Pregnancy