Indigestion during pregnancy

By trimester

Weeks 1–13

1st trimester

Indigestion can start early, often right alongside morning sickness, because rising hormones slow down how fast your stomach empties. Smaller portions, eating slowly, and not skipping meals altogether usually help more than anything else in these first weeks.

Weeks 14–27

2nd trimester

Nausea often fades by now, but a full or uneasy feeling after meals can still hang on since digestion stays slower than it was before pregnancy. Staying upright for a while after eating and keeping portions moderate tends to keep things comfortable.

Weeks 28–birth

3rd trimester

A growing uterus crowds the stomach, so even a normal-sized plate can feel like too much. Smaller, more frequent meals and skipping food right before lying down both help; sharp or severe pain is not typical indigestion and is worth a same-day call to your provider.

What does the evidence show for indigestion?

• Indigestion, also called dyspepsia, is its own recognized pregnancy complaint that can show up separately from heartburn, even though the two often overlap. 1
• Roughly one in ten adults lives with functional dyspepsia outside of pregnancy too, and rates run higher in women, which is part of why upper-belly discomfort is such a common pregnancy complaint. 2
• Spacing meals out to every one or two hours, with a little protein in each one, tends to sit better on an uneasy stomach than three large meals. 3
• Calcium-carbonate antacids are a reasonable next step once eating changes aren't quite enough, and they're considered acceptable in pregnancy at standard over-the-counter doses. 4
• It's easy to pass the recommended calcium ceiling of 2,500 mg a day once antacids, a prenatal vitamin, and calcium-rich foods are all added together, so it's worth tallying up sources before reaching for extra antacids. 5
• Abdominal pain that lasts several hours, especially with fever or chills, persistent nausea and vomiting, or a yellowish tint to the skin or eyes, points to a gallbladder problem rather than ordinary indigestion and calls for prompt medical care. 6
• Pain concentrated in the upper right area of the belly, especially together with a severe headache or vision changes, is a preeclampsia warning sign rather than typical indigestion. 7

When should I call my provider about indigestion?

Ordinary indigestion tends to ease within an hour or two and doesn't come with fever. Pain in your upper belly that lasts several hours, especially together with fever or chills, persistent vomiting, or a yellowish tint to your skin or eyes, points to a gallbladder problem and needs prompt medical evaluation rather than home remedies. Pain concentrated in the upper right side of your belly alongside a headache or vision changes is a different pattern that can signal preeclampsia and calls for same-day contact with your provider. Trust your read on your own body. If something feels off beyond the list above, please consult your healthcare provider rather than waiting it out.