GORD in Pregnancy

Medically reviewed by:

Dr Sarah Marshall - Medical Officer

Updated: Aug 18, 2021

Next review: Aug 18, 2022

GORD, or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, in pregnancy can be quite common. The changes in your body, including your expanding womb and changes to your hormone levels, can often cause heartburn and acid reflux.

If you have already been diagnosed with GORD and become pregnant, you may find you get the symptoms more frequently. It rarely something to worry about, and the condition should return to its normal levels once your baby is born.

Symptoms of GORD in pregnancy include:

Heartburn –a burning sensation in your chest, usually felt after eating and it may be worse at night
Acid reflux – when you get an acidic taste in your mouth from regurgitated stomach acid
Bloating
Burping
Feeling sick or being sick
A sore throat
Bad breath
Pain when swallowing

You may get some or all of these symptoms. If you are worried, you can speak to a doctor for more advice.

The treatment for GORD may be as simple as a change to your diet or lifestyle. If that does not work, you may be prescribed stronger medication by a doctor.

Self-help treatments may include dietary changes, for example, eating smaller meals regularly throughout the day, rather than your usual three main meals.

If these changes do not work, you may need to take over-the-counter medication to relieve your symptoms, which include antacids or alginates. Check with a pharmacist or doctor that they are suitable for you while pregnant. If these do not work, a doctor may prescribe you stronger medication.

You can read more about how GORD can be treated.

If you become pregnant unexpectedly, or are planning on trying for a baby, you should see a doctor about any current GORD (or other medication) you are taking as soon as possible to find out if it is safe. If it is not, our doctors will find an alternative that will help you control the condition, without posing a risk to your, or your baby’s, health.

Dr Sarah Marshall - Medical Officer

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