Pregnancy Symptoms & Relief Options
Quick Answer
Pregnancy hormones can affect much more than your bump. Nausea, reflux, metallic taste, excess saliva, dry mouth and even changes to your tongue are all common. While most improve after pregnancy, simple measures such as eating little and often, staying hydrated and using pregnancy-safe treatments can make a real difference.
When people talk about pregnancy symptoms, they usually mention morning sickness or cravings. What often gets forgotten are the strange mouth and digestive changes that can happen too.
I remember being surprised by just how many unexpected symptoms pregnancy can bring. Things like a metallic taste, excess saliva or constant heartburn can feel worrying when you've never experienced them before, but many are simply caused by hormonal changes and usually improve after pregnancy. Knowing what's normal can make them feel a little less overwhelming
Nausea, Vomiting & Reflux
Morning sickness doesn't always happen in the morning, and for some people it can continue well beyond the first trimester. As your pregnancy progresses, reflux and heartburn may also become more common.
What may help
Eat small, frequent meals.
Avoid long gaps between meals.
Try ginger if it agrees with you.
Drink little and often.
Consider taking prenatal vitamins before bed if recommended.
Avoid lying flat after eating.
Speak to your pharmacist, GP or midwife about pregnancy-safe antacids or reflux treatments if symptoms are persistent.
If you're unsure whether what you're’re experiencing is typical for your stage of pregnancy, our Pregnancy Trimesters guide explains what commonly happens during each trimester.
Metallic Taste (Dysgeusia)
A strange metallic or bitter taste is surprisingly common during pregnancy and is thought to be caused by hormonal changes.
Many parents find these tips helpful:
Choose citrus flavours if tolerated.
Chew sugar-free gum.
Brush your teeth regularly.
Use gentle mouth rinses.
Stay well hydrated.
If your saliva feels particularly thick or sticky, you may also find our Thick Saliva in Pregnancy guide helpful
What helps
Insulated water bottle with a straw
Makes frequent little sips easier when nausea, dry mouth or excess saliva are bothering you.
Pregnancy pillow or Wedge pillow
Can help you sleep slightly elevated if reflux and heartburn are worse at night.
Mouth Changes During Pregnancy & When to Get Advice
Pregnancy can also affect the tissues inside your mouth. Some people develop oral thrush, dry mouth or changes to the appearance of their tongue. While these are usually harmless, persistent or severe symptoms should always be checked by a healthcare professional.
You should seek medical advice if:
You're unable to keep fluids down.
Vomiting becomes severe or persistent.
Mouth sores are painful or don't heal.
Symptoms stop you eating or drinking properly.
Anything simply doesn't feel right.
As you get closer to meeting your baby, you may also like our How to Prepare for Labour and What to Expect Before, During and After Labour guides to help you feel more prepared.
Final thought
Pregnancy can bring some surprisingly unusual symptoms that don't get talked about nearly enough. While they're often temporary, they can still affect your day-to-day comfort. Hopefully, knowing they're common—and having a few practical ways to manage them—helps you feel a little more prepared throughout your pregnancy.
This isn’t professional advice — just a simple breakdown of what I’ve found helpful.
Most of this is easier to understand visually.
I’ve put all my guides into one place so you can browse them properly.
FAQs
What are the most common pregnancy symptoms?
Nausea, tiredness, breast tenderness, reflux, food cravings and frequent urination are among the most common pregnancy symptoms.
What unusual pregnancy symptoms are normal?
A metallic taste, excess saliva, dry mouth and changes to your tongue can all be normal during pregnancy.
Why do I have a metallic taste during pregnancy?
Pregnancy hormones can temporarily change your sense of taste, especially during the first trimester.
Why am I producing so much saliva during pregnancy?
Hormonal changes can increase saliva production, often alongside nausea during early pregnancy.
Is heartburn and reflux normal during pregnancy?
Yes. Hormones and your growing baby can make heartburn and reflux more common, particularly later in pregnancy.
Can pregnancy affect my mouth or tongue?
Yes. Some people develop dry mouth, oral thrush or changes to their tongue due to pregnancy hormones.
When should I contact my midwife or GP?
Seek advice if you can't keep fluids down, have severe vomiting, painful mouth changes or are worried about your symptoms.
When do pregnancy symptoms usually improve?
Many improve during the second trimester or after your baby is born, although some, like reflux, may continue until delivery.
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