IMH Hospital

Pregnancy and Heartburn — Safe Remedies for Moms-to-Be

Jan 17,2026

Pregnancy and Heartburn — Safe Remedies for Moms-to-Be

Pregnancy and Heartburn — Safe Remedies for Moms-to-Be

Pregnancy is often described as a time of joy, but many mothers-to-be quickly discover that it comes with uncomfortable surprises. One of the most common is heartburn and acid reflux. Studies suggest that more than half of all pregnant women will experience heartburn during pregnancy, particularly in the second and third trimesters.

The main reasons GERD in pregnancy is so common are hormonal and physical changes. Progesterone relaxes the muscles of the body, including the lower esophageal sphincter, which allows stomach acid to rise. At the same time, the growing uterus puts additional pressure on the stomach, forcing its contents upward.

Fortunately, there are safe remedies. Eating smaller meals helps reduce acidity symptoms. Avoiding lying down immediately after eating and sleeping with the head elevated can relieve acid reflux during pregnancy. Limiting foods that cause reflux like spicy food, citrus, chocolate, and caffeine also makes a difference.

While some acid reflux medicines are safe, others should be avoided — always check with your doctor. It’s also important to separate fact from folklore. A common myth is that heartburn while pregnant means the baby will have lots of hair, but science doesn’t support this.

Persistent GERD symptoms such as severe burning, vomiting blood, or unexplained weight loss should be assessed by a gastroenterologist.