If you’re in the third trimester, sleeping propped up on pillows, and the heartburn feels like it’s trying to win, I see you. I’ve been there. You’ve skipped spicy foods. You’ve cut acidic foods. You’re eating tiny portions and somehow living off bread, and it still feels like your chest is on fire.
I’m a mom of five, and I had heartburn through every pregnancy. Every single one. I ate well and still dealt with it. I tried the usual tips, some odd tricks, a few things that tasted terrible, one thing that made me throw up, and a handful of home remedies that actually helped.
If you’re getting good relief from Tums and you’re not maxing out the dose, this post may not be for you, and that’s okay. But if that’s not working, or you want a few more pregnancy heartburn remedies to consider, here’s what I found most helpful.
My Real-Life Approach to Pregnancy Heartburn
This is not medical advice. It’s my personal experience with home remedies during pregnancy heartburn, especially in those later months when it can feel relentless. Always check with your provider if you have concerns, severe symptoms, or questions about what’s safe for you.
I’m rating each remedy by:
- Tolerability — How easy it was to take, especially while pregnant
- Effectiveness — How well it worked for me
- Affordability — Rough cost per use
- Convenience — How easy it was to use at home or on the go
- Relief time — How quickly I noticed a difference
1. Heartburn Soother Tea
This one was effective for me, but I’ll be honest: I was drinking about four mugs a day. Looking back, I wish I had brewed a big batch overnight and sipped it cool during the summer. That probably would have made life easier. Pregnancy brain and fatigue had other plans.
When I was consistent with it, it slowly helped for a little while. But when it was hot outside, I didn’t really want another warm drink, so I often reached for something else.
- Tolerability: Medium
- Effectiveness: 3 stars
- Affordability: $$ (about 50 cents per use)
- Convenience: Low
- Relief in: About 10 minutes
If you like tea and want a gentle option, this can be a nice place to start.
2. Baking Soda in Water
This was pure magic for me. Or, more accurately, science doing its thing. A small pinch of baking soda in no more than four ounces of water gave me incredibly fast relief and was tolerable to drink.
Now, this is not something I’d overdo. We’re talking small amounts, not constant use all day long. But for me, at home, this was one of the most effective pregnancy heartburn remedies I tried.
- Tolerability: Low to medium
- Effectiveness: 5 stars
- Affordability: $ (about 2 cents per use)
- Convenience: Medium
- Relief in: Under a minute
I wouldn’t exactly recommend carrying mystery white powder around in your purse, but if you do, no judgment. We’re all just trying to survive pregnancy inconveniences.
3. AlkaLime Packets
This was my favorite on-the-go option. Super convenient, easy to keep in my purse, and fast. If I was out of the house, I could just add a packet to my water bottle and get relief quickly.
These cost more than baking soda, but the convenience factor was hard to beat. In my last three pregnancies, this became one of my go-to tools. One box of sticks lasted me about two months.
- Tolerability: High, I like the taste
- Effectiveness: 5 stars
- Affordability: $$$ (about $1.83 per use)
- Convenience: 5 stars
- Relief in: Under a minute
If you need something simple and portable, this was a winner for me.
4. DiGize Essential Oil Applied Topically
This one surprised me. Before my last pregnancy, one of my doula clients asked me to apply DiGize over her chest for in-labor heartburn. I had never tried it for that before, but it worked so well for her that I kept it with me during my final pregnancy.
I would use a drop topically over the area of discomfort, usually from the upper stomach area up toward the throat. It often brought relief within a few minutes.
- Tolerability: Depends on how you do with aromas during pregnancy
- Effectiveness: 4 stars
- Affordability: $$ (about 20 cents per use)
- Convenience: Easy for a quick fix
- Relief in: 1 to 3 minutes
If smells are extra intense for you during pregnancy, this may or may not be your favorite. But for me, it earned a spot in the toolkit.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
This one is complicated. Yes, it worked for me. And yes, I have one very vivid memory from 38 weeks pregnant with terrible heartburn, trying apple cider vinegar like I had dozens of times before, and this time it made me vomit.
Before that, I had used it without much trouble other than the strong taste. Some women dilute it in water, like with baking soda. For me, that one rough experience was enough that I stopped using it after my first pregnancy.
So while I do think it can be effective, it also had the lowest tolerability for me by far.
- Tolerability: Lowest
- Effectiveness: 5 stars, when I didn't vomit
- Affordability: $ (about 8 cents per ounce)
- Convenience: Low to medium
- Relief in: Immediate after the burn
If you can handle the taste and your stomach agrees with it, it may be worth trying. But if pregnancy has already made you extra gaggy, proceed with caution.
What Worked Best for Me
By my last three pregnancies, I had a simple rhythm that worked really well.
- At home: A pinch of baking soda in water
- On the go: AlkaLime packets in my purse
- For quick topical support: DiGize on my chest and upper stomach area
Those were my all-stars. Not fancy. Not perfect. But practical, fast, and helpful.
Final Thoughts on Home Remedies for Pregnancy Heartburn
Pregnancy heartburn can be miserable, especially when you feel like you’re already doing everything “right.” If that’s you, I just want to say this: you are not failing. Sometimes your body is just body-ing in the most dramatic way possible.
It’s not all or nothing. Every little bit helps. Practice makes progress, even when progress looks like finding one small thing that gets you through the evening.
If you want to try these pregnancy heartburn remedies, I highly recommend checking your local store or co-op for the tea, baking soda, and apple cider vinegar. Online shopping is convenient, but supporting local businesses matters too.
Click here to order Alkalime Stick Packs & Digize Essential Oil Blend.
You're probably so excited about welcoming your baby into your home, if you're like most moms you're probably flipping through a few books, you've download some apps, and listening to your friend's and family's experience. You're probably doing your part to be a star patient for your doctor or midwife.
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