How to easily treat heartburn during pregnancy 2026

Maybe you expected morning sickness, swollen ankles and legs, the occasional vomit... but what about indigestion and heartburn? Why does it occur during pregnancy?

As its name suggests, heartburn (also known medically as ">gastroesophageal reflux) is usually felt as a burning sensation that starts behind the breastbone and goes up the esophagus, a tube that connects the throat to the stomach. These acids can even reach the throat, producing uncomfortable, painful and unpleasant symptoms.

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In addition to feeling a burning sensation, which can last from a few minutes to several hours, it is also possible to feel other symptoms, such as: bloating, belching, sore throat, cough (frequently), and a sour taste in the mouth.

And, unlike what you may think, the burning sensation that arises during pregnancy has more to do with hormones than with the foods consumed. Although, it is true, depending on what foods are eaten, they can help or increase the problem.

What are the main causes of heartburn during pregnancy?

According to one study, up to 45 percent of pregnant women experience heartburn at some point during their pregnancy. What's more, as most experts believe, if the woman had heartburn before pregnancy, and also used to suffer from it frequently, it is quite likely that she will also suffer from it throughout pregnancy.

Although experts are not entirely sure what causes heartburn, they suspect that there are actually three causes that can directly influence its appearance:

• Hormones. Progesterone, also commonly known as the “pregnancy hormone” by nourishing the uterus and the baby inside, is one of the main culprits of pregnancy-related heartburn. In fact, it acts as a muscle relaxant, so it can relax the lower esophageal valve, which is a tight muscle that closes the stomach from the esophagus. Thus, when we eat or drink, this muscle normally opens to allow the contents to enter the stomach before closing tightly. However, the high levels of progesterone so common during pregnancy cause that muscle to relax, so stomach acid returns to the esophagus, or even the throat.
• The growing baby. As the uterus expands, it “competes” for the space inside the future mother, with some of the other organs. The growing uterus puts pressure on the stomach, causing stomach acid to leak, especially if the stomach is full. The larger the uterus grows, the more likely pressure will be on the stomach. And this is one of the causes that could help explain why heartburn is more common as pregnancy progresses.
• Slow digestion.Due to the action of hormones such as progesterone, the contents of the stomach remain longer than normal. Therefore, as digestion slows down, and the stomach remains fuller for a longer period of time, the chances of suffering from heartburn increase.

Useful treatments to reduce heartburn during pregnancy

Although heartburn can be really uncomfortable, it can be easily treated during pregnancy:

Although, as we have seen, diet does not have a direct relationship in cases of heartburn during pregnancy, what you eat each day should be taken into account, since it can increase the problem and have an even more negative effect.

Acidic and spicy foods should be avoided, which will only generate more acid. In addition, citrus fruits, onions, garlic, tomatoes, chocolate, caffeine, soft drinks and other fatty foods are not advisable.

In addition, it is also advisable to stay away from fried or overly fatty foods, as they slow down digestion.

It is quite likely that your doctor, especially as your pregnancy progresses, has recommended that you eat several small meals spread throughout the day, instead of just three.

This helps very positively, since by eating small amounts of food each time you will ensure that digestion does not become heavy. And, in addition, you will allow the stomach to empty faster.

It is possible that during pregnancy, especially during the first months of pregnancy, you feel more tired than usual. And even if at the end of the day you have an irresistible desire to fall asleep, you should avoid eating dinner immediately before going to bed.

The best? Try to leave at least three hours between dinner and bedtime. Otherwise you will only slow down stomach emptying, increasing acidity at night.

It is advisable to raise the pillow a little, between 15 to 22 centimeters, which will help prevent stomach acid from returning to the throat.

A useful option is to raise the head of the bed with the help of blocks placed under the legs of the bed. Or place another pillow under the one you usually use.