What to Do About Acid Reflux During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is full of fun and unexpected joys. But it can also come with some not-so-great surprises. One potential unpleasantry you may experience: acid reflux in pregnancy.

It can be uncomfortable to have acid reflux during pregnancy, but the good news is that relief is possible. As with everything else, it’s a good idea to talk about your symptoms with your doctor during your next appointment. In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about having acid reflux while pregnant, plus how to treat it.

What Is Pregnancy Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux, aka gastroesophageal reflux, is what happens when your stomach contents come back up into your esophagus (the tube that connects your throat to your stomach).

And pregnancy acid reflux is simply gastroesophageal reflux that happens when you’re expecting, notes Babak Firoozi, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. And, FYI, acid reflux is one the most common medical complaints in pregnant people: Some studies indicate that up to 80 percent of women experience it at some point during those nine+ months

When Does Acid Reflux Start in Pregnancy?

Acid reflux can start at any point in pregnancy, says Christine Greves, MD, a board-certified ob/gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies in Orlando, Florida. “It can be in the first trimester,” she says. “But a lot of times, people in the third trimester are talking about it.”

Symptoms of Acid Reflux During Pregnancy

The signs and symptoms of acid reflux during pregnancy are the same as what you’d experience if you had reflux when you weren’t pregnant, Firoozi says. Those usually include: Heartburn, which is a painful, burning feeling in the middle of your chest

Regurgitation of your stomach contents into your throat or mouth (this can cause you to taste food or stomach acid, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) “In severe cases, people can have nausea, vomiting or even trouble swallowing,” adds Firoozi.

What Causes Acid Reflux During Pregnancy?

There are a few reasons why you might have acid reflux during pregnancy. Greves says that hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy can slow down how fast food moves through your stomach and gut, raising the odds that some of it will come back up. At the same time, your esophageal sphincter—the valve that keeps contents in your stomach—is more relaxed during pregnancy, raising the odds that acid will creep back up.

Furthermore, your growing uterus puts pressure on your stomach, leading to reflux, Firoozi says. “It’s really a mechanical problem,” he adds.

How to Treat Acid Reflux During Pregnancy

If you’re dealing with acid reflux during pregnancy, you don’t have to just suffer through it. There are a slew of home remedies and medications you can use to get relief. However, there are also some medications to avoid (more on that, below!).

Home remedies for pregnancy acid reflux

To get relief at home, Greves recommends focusing on what you can do to tamp down on reflux in the future. “Pay attention to foods that seem to trigger it and try to avoid them,” she says. The NIDDK recommends doing your best to avoid:

• Acidic foods, like citrus fruits and tomatoes
• Chocolate
• Coffee and other sources of caffeine
• High-fat foods
• Mint
• Spicy foods

What acid reflux medications are safe in pregnancy

You’ll likely want to start by trying to make some lifestyle modifications first, but if that doesn’t do the job, there are a few medications you can take for acid reflux in pregnancy. If your symptoms are relatively mild, you can take antacids like Tums and Mylanta, Firoozi says. But if you’re still not getting relief, famotidine (Pepcid) may help.

Acid reflux medications to avoid in pregnancy

Be advised that not all antacids are safe in pregnancy. Medications that contain bicarbonate should be avoided entirely, says Meleen Chuang, MD, interim chief of service of ob/gyn at NYU Langone Hospital Brooklyn. They come with a risk of maternal and fetal metabolic acidosis and fluid overload.

Again, if you’re dealing with acid reflux in pregnancy, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about what you’re going through. They should be able to help offer personalized advice to help you feel more comfortable.

How to Prevent Acid Reflux During Pregnancy

Chuang recommends eating smaller meals, and avoiding food right before bed. “Your body is most comfortable digesting food in an upright position, as it allows for easy digestion,” she says. “Lying down immediately after eating a light meal for dinner can cause the stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus, triggering symptoms of heartburn.” Sleeping with your head elevated can help too.

FAQ: Pregnancy Acid Reflux

It’s understandable to have questions about acid reflux during pregnancy. Keep these in mind.

What’s the difference between acid reflux and heartburn?

Acid reflux and heartburn are often used interchangeably, but Firoozi says they’re not the same thing. “Acid reflux is the mechanism—you have acid coming up into the esophagus,” he says. “Heartburn is the symptom.”

What’s the difference between acid reflux and GERD?

Acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are also often used to describe the same thing, and Firoozi says that’s fair: “Those are pretty much the same thing.” When people say they’re experiencing “acid reflux,” they usually mean gastroesophageal reflux (GER). GERD is a more severe and longer-lasting form of GER, according to the NIDDK.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

Plus, more from The Bump:

How to Ease Heartburn During Pregnancy

Why You Might Be Having Chest Pain During Pregnancy (and What to Do)

Morning Sickness Remedies to Relieve Pregnancy Nausea