Causes & risk factors

Indigestion and heartburn are caused by stomach acid coming into contact with and breaking down the sensitive protective lining of your digestive system. This causes irritation and leads to the symptoms of indigestion.

When you're pregnant, you are prone to indigestion because of the hormonal changes your body is going through, and because your growing womb (uterus) is pressing on your stomach. In addition, the lower oesophageal muscle, which acts like a gate between your stomach and your oesophagus, relaxes, allowing stomach acid to leak back up.

You may be more likely to get indigestion if you had indigestion before you were pregnant, you've been pregnant before or during the latter stages of pregnancy.