Increased gas is a common pregnancy-related symptom that can emerge at the beginning or end of gestation. It occurs due to significant hormonal changes that causes tissues to relax and stretch, including the tissues found in the gastrointestinal symptoms. This leads to less movement within the intestines and eventually more accumulation of gas. Show Mint tea is great for relieving abdominal discomfort and preventing gas build-up due to its antispasmodic properties. This tea can be made by adding 2 to 4 grams of fresh mint leaves to a cup with boiling water. Allow the leaves to soak for about 10 mjinutes, then strain and drink. You can drink up to 3 cups per day following meals. Increase in flatulence during pregnancy is completely normal and does not harm the baby, although it can cause intense stomach aches and abdominal discomfort for the mother. Removing foods that causes gas from the diet (like turnips, peas, and cabbage) may help, but, in some cases, it may be necessary to use medications prescribed by the obstetrician.
Treatment for flatulence during pregnancyFlatulence during pregnancy can be treated with medication prescribed by an obstetrician, such as simethicone or dimethicone, which help to get rid of intestinal gas and decrease any associated discomfort or pain. Miralax is an over-the-counter option that is safe for use during pregnancy. It should be taken as outlined in the package instructions. What to do to prevent flatulenceIncreases in flatulence during pregnancy are often related to increases in progesterone, which contributes to overall relaxation of tissues in the body. It can lead to slower digestion, resulting in accumulation of stomach and intestinal gas. To prevent excess gas during pregnancy, you can consider the following:
Exercising and deep breathing can also help to improve digestion, as it stimulates peristalsis in the intestines, which helps gas to move along the tract. What gas pain feels likeSymptoms of excess gas in pregnancy normally include sharp abdominal pain, which seems like something stabbing the stomach area, flatulence, constipation, and cramps. If you have other symptoms too, such as abdominal pain on one side, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, please visit your obstetrician.
Chances are, you may have noticed some bloating in early pregnancy. You can thank gas for that, which enters your digestive tract when you swallow air or makes its presence known when bacteria in your large intestine breaks down undigested carbohydrates. (This is why some foods and drinks can make you gassier than others.) Some people get a lot of gas from foods that don't bother others at all. For example, people with lactose intolerance get bloated and gassy after having dairy products like milk or ice cream. That's because they don't make enough lactase – the enzyme that breaks down the sugar (lactose) in dairy products. The balance of bacteria in the colon, which varies from person to person, may also affect how much gas you make. Certain carbs are the main culprits of gas. Protein and fats produce little gas directly, although fats can contribute to a sense of bloating because they slow down digestion. Bloating and gas can both be early signs of pregnancy. If you’re not usually gassy and suddenly you’re tooting constantly, pay attention (or at least take a pregnancy test). And be prepared: The gas may persist through your entire pregnancy. Why do I have so much pregnancy bloating and gas?Gas during pregnancy is very common. When you’re pregnant, your body churns out progesterone, a hormone that relaxes all your muscles, including the ones in your digestive tract. These relaxed muscles slow down digestion, which can lead to more-than-usual gas, bloating, burping, and flatulence, especially after you've had a big meal. People normally pass gas by burping or farting a dozen or so times a day. But when you're pregnant, you may find yourself doing that much more often. You may also end up having to unbutton your pants throughout the day to relieve bloating, even weeks before your pregnancy begins to show. Beyond that first-trimester bloating, your expanding uterus begins to crowd your abdominal cavity, which can also slow digestion and put pressure on your stomach, making you feel even more bloated after eating. This is why you may also experience heartburn or constipation during pregnancy, even if you've never been bothered by these conditions before. Some pregnancy bloating and gas may be inevitable, but cutting back on the foods that are more likely to cause gas can be an effective way to reduce some of it. That said, you can't eliminate everything that might cause gas (like every single carb in the world, for example), or else you wouldn't have a balanced pregnancy diet. Start by cutting out some foods that are most likely to cause gas and bloating. If you notice some relief, begin adding those foods back into your diet one-by-one, so you can try to pinpoint what's causing the problem. Keeping a food diary can help you figure out if certain foods seem to make you gassier than others. Some common causes of gas include:
Other ways to relieve gas during pregnancyIn addition to adjusting your diet, here are more ways to relieve gas during pregnancy:
If these tips don't help, ask your healthcare provider whether you can take an over-the-counter gas remedy that contains simethicone. (Don't take activated charcoal tablets without first checking with your doctor because they may not be safe during pregnancy.) When to call your doctor about pregnancy gasMost gas is just a standard part of pregnancy, but call your healthcare provider if:
If you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you may notice your symptoms become more intense during pregnancy. This is likely due to changes in estrogen and progesterone production, as well as the physical pressure your growing baby places on your bowel wall. Non-drug therapies – including relaxation techniques and dietary changes like adding more fiber to your diet while cutting back on gas-producing foods – may help. |