What to Do for Acid Reflux and Heartburn in the Eighth Month of Pregnancy

Heartburn and acid reflux during the eighth month of pregnancy can typically be improved by addressing the underlying causes—such as pharmacological treatment, eating smaller, more frequent meals, and maintaining a light, bland diet.

1. Pharmacological Treatment

If heartburn and acid reflux in the eighth month of pregnancy are caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole or pantoprazole may be prescribed under a physician’s guidance to reduce gastric acid secretion and alleviate symptoms. Combining these with prokinetic agents—such as mosapride or domperidone—can further accelerate symptom resolution by enhancing gastric motility.

2. Smaller, More Frequent Meals

When heartburn results from dietary factors, adopting a pattern of eating smaller, more frequent meals can reduce the digestive burden on the gastrointestinal tract and promote more efficient digestion and absorption of food.

3. Maintaining a Light, Bland Diet

Uterine compression of the stomach—a common occurrence in late pregnancy—can also contribute to heartburn. Symptoms may be alleviated by adhering to a light, bland diet—for example, limiting or avoiding highly acidic, overly sweet, or spicy foods, and refraining from consuming hard or sticky, difficult-to-digest foods.