Best way to get rid of heartburn when pregnant at night

Heartburn is a term used to describe the irritation of the esophagus that results when acid from the stomach is released into the esophagus. Heartburn isn’t a serious problem unless it becomes constant and chronic. If you are pregnant and have heartburn often, there are ways you can get rid of it.

1. 

   1

   Cut out common heartburn causing foods. Eating foods that you may have a sensitivity to can cause heartburn. Common heartburn causing foods include:

   • Citrus fruit
   • Chocolate
   • Tomatoes
   • Garlic and onions[1]

2. 

   2

   Eat less fatty and spicy foods. Fatty foods can cause the sphincter separating your esophagus and stomach to stay open, which can cause heartburn.[2] You should avoid fatty foods if you are struggling with heartburn. Spicy foods can also cause heartburn in a lot of individuals. Lay off the spices to help get rid of your heartburn.

3. 

   3

   Reduce beverages that can trigger heartburn. Food is not the only substance that can cause heartburn. Certain beverages can give you heartburn. Try to reduce the number of caffeinated beverages you drink to help alleviate heartburn.[3]

4. 

   4

   Eat an apple or banana. The pectin in the apple skin acts as a natural antacid. Bananas contain natural antacids. Try eating an apple or a ripe banana to help with heartburn.[4]

5. 

   5

   Determine which foods cause you heartburn. Since pregnancy causes many changes to your body, things that normally don’t bother you may cause you heartburn now. If you have heartburn a lot, try to figure out what foods are causing it. First, start with the common heartburn trigger foods. Then, start to look at the foods you eat just before a case of heartburn.

   • This may involve keeping track of foods that cause problems. Write down the foods you eat and see how you feel about one hour after eating. If the food you ate an hour ago is bothering you, you should eliminate that from your diet.[5]
   • For example, if you have spaghetti and meatballs with tomato sauce for dinner and have heartburn within an hour, your trigger could be the spaghetti, the meatballs, or the tomato sauce. Next time, eliminate the tomato sauce. If you have no heartburn, you know that the tomato sauce is the trigger. If you still have heartburn, it could be the pasta or the meatballs. Next day, have some leftover pasta alone with no meatballs and no sauce. If you have heartburn, the pasta should be eliminated from your diet.

6. 

   6

   Eat smaller meals. Large meals can lead to heartburn. To prevent this from happening, eat smaller amounts of food at any one time. This reduces the stress pressure on your stomach.[6]

7. 

   7

   Eat slowly. Slowing down when you eat may help get rid of your heartburn. Eating more slowly allows the food to be digested more easily and quickly, leaving less food in the stomach to wash back up into the esophagus.[7]

8. 

   8

   Refrain from eating before bedtime. As you try to fall asleep, you can put pressure on your esophagus and cause heartburn. To help eliminate this, don’t eat two to three hours before bedtime.[8]

   • Don’t lie down after eating, even to take a nap. If you are tired, then try reclining in a chair or use some pillows to elevate your head and upper body.

1. 

   1

   Try antacids. Antacids, except for those that contain aluminum, are generally safe during pregnancy. You can take antacids containing calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide, but make sure to read the label to ensure they do not contain aluminum.

   • Liquid antacids may work a bit faster than tablets, and both are effective.
   • Antacids that contain sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) or sodium citrate may cause water retention and they can also be toxic to your baby. You should avoid them.
   • If you are going to take antacids, make sure you take your prenatal vitamins at least 1 hour away from them.[9]

2. 

   2

   Take H2 blockers. H2 blockers appear to be safe during pregnancy.[10] This includes over-the-counter medicines like Tagamet, Pepcid, and Zantac. The pills you can buy in the store are contain lower doses. If you want a higher dose, see your physician so he can prescribe a higher dosage. When using H2 blockers, make sure to follow manufacturer’s instructions. You should discuss taking H2 blockers with your doctor.

   • Side effects of H2 can include constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, hives, nausea or vomiting, and problems with urination.[11] If you experience any of these side effects, stop using the H2 blockers and call your physician right away.

3. 

   3

   Use proton-pump inhibitors. If your heartburn is bad enough, you may consider proton-pump inhibitors, such as Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, Protonix, Aciphex, and Dexilant. They are thought to be safe during pregnancy.[12] However, before taking PPIs, make sure to consult your doctor.

   • Some PPIs, like omeprazole (Zegerid) may cause fetal toxicity, and therefore shouldn’t be taken while pregnant. This is why it’s important to discuss your options with your doctor before taking them.
   • Side effects of PPIs include headache, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, rashes, and nausea.[13]

4. 4

   Ask your doctor about metoclopramide. This medication can help to increase the speed of your digestion and reduce acid reflux and heartburn. It is also effective for treating nausea. It is safe for pregnant women to take metoclopramide, so talk with your doctor if you are interested in trying this medication.[14]

   • This is a short term medication that you can take for up to 12 weeks.

1. 

   1

   Wear looser clothing. Wearing comfortable clothing that doesn’t constrict your stomach or abdomen may help reduce your heartburn. It may put less stress on your stomach and lower the risk of pushing food or acid into your esophagus.[15][16]

2. 

   2

   Avoid gaining too much weight. One of the most common reasons for heartburn is being overweight. While pregnant, you should make sure you are not gaining too much weight, especially if you are having problems with heartburn.[17]

   • Maintaining a healthy weight will help reduce pressure on the esophagus.

3. 

   3

   Raise the head of your bed. Try raising the head of your bed to allow gravity to help keep the acid in your stomach. Place blocks under the head of your bed and raise it about six inches.[18]

   • Don’t pile pillows beneath your head. This won’t help your heartburn, and only bend your neck and body and possibly make the heartburn worse.

4. 

   4

   Add apple cider vinegar to your diet. Add one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to six ounces of water and drink it. Research suggests that the apple cider vinegar corrects low acid and reduces heartburn.[19]

5. 

   5

   Drink ginger tea. Ginger tea is considered safe for pregnant women and is often recommended for nausea during early pregnancy. Ginger acts as an anti-inflammatory and a soothing agent for the stomach. It can also help with nausea and vomiting.

   • You can get ginger tea bags from the store. You can also make your own tea. Cut up about one teaspoon of fresh ginger and add it to boiling water. Steep for about five minutes and then pour into a mug.
   • Do this anytime during the day, but especially about 20 to 30 minutes before meals.[20]

Add New Question

• Question

  Why is my heartburn worse when I'm trying to sleep at night?

  

  Peter W. Gardner, MD is a board certified physician who has practiced Gastroenterology and Hepatology for over 30 years. He specializes in diseases of the digestive system and liver. Dr. Gardner earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina and attended Georgetown Medical School. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine and then his fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of Connecticut. He is a previous Chief of Gastroenterology at Stamford Hospital and remains on the staff. He is also on the staff of Greenwich Hospital and New York (Columbia) Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Gardner is an Approved Consultant in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology with the American Board of Internal Medicine.

  

  Board Certified Gastroenterologist

  Expert Answer

  Lying down slows down the emptying of the stomach, leaving what you ate to sit there longer and possibly come back up. Try not to lie down for ideally three hours after eating.

• Question

  Do I have to wait to see my doctor or can I go straight to hospital if I get heartburn more than times times a day?

  

  Dr. Marusinec is a board certified Pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, where she is on the Clinical Practice Council. She received her M.D. from the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine in 1995 and completed her residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Pediatrics in 1998. She is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the Society for Pediatric Urgent Care.

  

  Board Certified Pediatrician

  Expert Answer

  If the symptoms aren't severe, you can wait to see your doctor. Call the office and see if they can get you in in a few days or a week. They may be able to offer you some advice in the meantime and may recommend trying over-the-counter medications. However, if you are having severe pain or other symptoms, or have any symptoms that could be from something more serious like a heart attack, then you should go to the emergency department.

• Question

  During the last week I have been getting heartburn every time I eat. What should I do?

  

  Dr. Marusinec is a board certified Pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, where she is on the Clinical Practice Council. She received her M.D. from the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine in 1995 and completed her residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Pediatrics in 1998. She is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the Society for Pediatric Urgent Care.

  

  Board Certified Pediatrician

  Expert Answer

  Call your doctor to get advice on home remedies, and to make an appointment for a visit. They may recommend trying over-the-counter medications. Go to the emergency department if your pain is severe or you are having other symptoms that could be from something serious like a heart attack.

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Article SummaryX

To get rid of heartburn during your pregnancy, start by eliminating common “trigger foods” from your diet, like citrus fruit, chocolate, and tomatoes, and see if you notice any improvement. If you’re still not sure what’s causing your heartburn, carry around a notebook and write down what you eat throughout the day, so when heartburn strikes, you know what might have caused it. Additionally, eat several small meals instead of a couple big meals, since this puts less stress on your stomach. To learn which antacids are safe to use during pregnancy, keep reading!

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