Gas formation in the digestive tract is a normal physiological process, but sometimes this phenomenon is accompanied by unpleasant sensations that bother pregnant women, and in very rare cases it is a threat to pregnancy and can complicate labor.

Symptoms of increased gas formation during pregnancy

More than 75% of pregnant women experience discomfort associated with the formation of gases in the intestines. Symptoms of this condition can occur at different times, but most often it occurs in the second and third trimester. Gas can appear even in women who were not familiar with this phenomenon before pregnancy.

Increased gas formation is accompanied by the accumulation of gases in the gastrointestinal tract. There is a feeling of heaviness and discomfort in the abdomen; cramping pain (gas colic) may occur, which goes away after the gas passes. All these symptoms are often accompanied by hiccups, rumbling in the stomach and a feeling of fullness.

Signs of increased gas formation are most often periodic; they appear and disappear and are not permanent. Flatulence is often accompanied by alternating constipation and diarrhea. Against the background of these ailments, it can. Sometimes symptoms of increased gas formation include shortness of breath, anxiety, sleep disturbance, etc.

Symptoms of flatulence interfere with the social adaptation of a pregnant woman, but you should not be ashamed of this problem. Dealing with it can be quite simple when determining the causes of this phenomenon.

Causes of increased gas formation during pregnancy

In the early stages of pregnancy, a woman’s body begins to actively produce progesterone. This hormone helps to reduce the contractile function of not only the walls of the uterus, but also the muscles of the intestines, stomach and abdominal wall. Intestinal peristalsis slows down, processed food moves rather slowly inside it, which promotes fermentation processes and slows down gas emission. Gases accumulate in the intestines, causing rumbling, and sometimes...

In women at the beginning of pregnancy, under the influence of hormones, there is often a decrease in the production of pancreatic enzymes, which also affects the appearance of flatulence. Enzyme deficiency can also be congenital. Sometimes unusual bloating in the intestines is the first sign of pregnancy.

Subsequently, at a later stage, when the uterus has significantly increased in size, it puts pressure on the internal organs, including the intestines. As a result, its normal function of moving food is disrupted. As in the early stages, fermentation processes begin with the active release of gases. Chronic diseases of the digestive system (and others) further aggravate the situation.

Flatulence in pregnant women can be caused by tight clothing, stress, negative environmental factors and lack of water. Often pregnant women are prescribed iron supplements, which can also cause intense gas formation. These processes are directly affected by a woman’s diet, so doctors first recommend a certain diet when prescribing treatment.

Approach to treating increased gas production during pregnancy

Increased gas formation is a physiological feature of the female body during pregnancy, so it is quite difficult to completely eliminate this phenomenon. Some simple recommendations can significantly reduce its severity and alleviate accompanying symptoms.

If you experience cramping abdominal pain associated with the release of gases in the first trimester, it is recommended to undergo examination by a specialist. As a rule, diet and the prescription of gentle medications help cope with this problem and prevent the development of complications. Self-treatment of a pregnant woman in this case is unacceptable!

Simple and effective methods include stroking the belly clockwise, regular walks in the fresh air and attending yoga or water aerobics classes in the pool. These simple methods will help not only get rid of the problem of excessive gas formation, but also adequately prepare for childbirth. Classes should be held in groups designed exclusively for pregnant women with a load commensurate with their condition.

Increased gas formation associated with the consumption of unhealthy foods or foods that contribute to this process can be eliminated with the help of diet. A pregnant woman is advised to avoid fatty, spicy foods, as well as sweet foods containing sucrose. This diet excludes legumes, cabbage, brown bread, carbonated drinks, spices, apple juice and grapes. Instead of this food, it is better to diversify your diet with fermented milk products, salads with olive oil, and replace sweets with dried fruits. Food should be taken in limited portions, but more often, and drink enough water.

Activated carbon is also capable of partially absorbing gas, however, even relatively safe drugs must be used in strict dosages; their excess can lead to constipation or disrupt absorption processes in the intestines.

In order for pregnancy to become a joyful time, unclouded by unpleasant moments, the expectant mother should pay special attention to her health, eliminate bad habits and normalize her diet. Any treatment methods for increased gas formation must be agreed upon with a doctor; only a specialist will be able to determine the true cause of the ailment and prescribe treatment on an individual basis.

Throughout the entire period of pregnancy, a woman faces many difficulties and troubles. Some people only occasionally feel discomfort, while others struggle with problems until childbirth. But there is not a single pregnant woman who has not at least once found herself in a delicate situation as a result of bloating during pregnancy. The appearance of gases is not a threatening condition, but a woman often experiences awkwardness and physical discomfort. We will tell you in detail in this article about what causes such an eating disorder and how to establish normal functioning of the digestive organs during pregnancy.

Flatulence is pathological gas formation in the intestines under certain circumstances. In a significant number of women, signs of excessive bloating appear 1-1.5 weeks after conception and often become the first signal that fertilization has occurred.

Although flatulence often accompanies women throughout pregnancy and is considered a completely normal phenomenon, it can and should be combated. After all, if the condition is not controlled, the situation can become very complicated. Then harmless gases during pregnancy can become the culprit of all sorts of complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

The main trigger of flatulence in pregnant women is unstable hormonal levels, especially at the beginning of pregnancy. To preserve the embryo, eliminate the increase in uterine tone and prevent miscarriage, the woman’s hormonal system intensively produces a lot of progesterone. Its task is to relax all the smooth muscles of the uterus. But due to the inability to identify only the uterus, muscle tone decreases throughout the body and in the intestines in particular. Under conditions of decreased tone, intestinal motility weakens, which causes gas during early pregnancy.

The cause of flatulence may not be pregnancy, but various diseases of the internal organs, which worsen after conception. Ulcers, duodenitis, cirrhosis, pancreatic enzyme deficiency, gallstone pathology, dysbacteriosis and other gastrointestinal disorders prevent food from being fully digested. It penetrates the intestines in a semi-digested form, and there it begins to ferment. This is why gases during pregnancy so often bother women. And sometimes expectant mothers had no idea about the presence of such diseases before.

Lactose deficiency can provoke chronic flatulence. If belching, diarrhea and bloating occur after consuming milk and milk-based products, you should check the body's reaction to milk fat.

Other factors that cause gas include the following:

• Errors in the diet, long breaks between meals, poorly chewed food.
• Overeating, “night” snacks (especially in the last weeks of pregnancy).
• Insufficient physical activity.
• Wearing tight, ill-fitting clothes made of synthetic fabric.
• Severe fluid deficiency in the body.
• Worm infestation.
• Diseases of blood vessels entering the intestines (atherosclerosis, plaques, blood clots, edema).
• Inflammation of the mucous or muscular membrane.
• Limitation of intestinal patency (adhesions, neoplasms).
• Intestinal spasm as a result of stress.
• Swallowing large amounts of air while eating.

A rapidly growing uterus and fetus can cause gas during pregnancy in the second trimester and beyond. It pinches the intestines and prevents them from functioning normally. This process is accompanied not only by bloating, but also by constipation, frequent belching and discomfort in the diaphragm. Taking iron supplements for anemia can aggravate a woman’s condition.

Flatulence can bother a woman throughout the entire gestational period. The chances of encountering such an uncomfortable problem increase in women suffering from various intestinal disorders even before conception. After all, everyone knows the fact that pregnancy is a real catalyst for the exacerbation of chronic diseases. Therefore, long-standing diseases of the digestive tract are unlikely to make you wait long after pregnancy.

But even completely healthy women need to be on their guard. Obstetricians assure that even the absence of bloating during pregnancy in the early stages does not guarantee that problems will not appear as the uterus enlarges. That is, bloating can lie in wait for a woman for 9 months.

The formation of gases is a physiological process in the body, but it is important to remember that, apart from inconvenience, it should no longer cause any negative phenomena in the form of pain, weakness and a sharp deterioration in well-being. If such symptoms occur, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Symptoms and signs of bloating during pregnancy

The appearance of gas in the abdomen, regardless of the reasons that caused it, is accompanied by certain symptoms. The woman feels physical and emotional discomfort, but her condition remains satisfactory.

Flatulence has the following symptoms:

• There is a feeling of pressure, bloating, and heaviness in the stomach and intestines.
• Even at rest, you can hear a noise similar to gurgling, fluid transfusion in the abdomen.
• Gases pass out very often.
• Nausea and vomiting not associated with early toxicosis.
• Appetite disorders.
• Abnormal bowel movements (constipation/diarrhea).
• Belching, heartburn, unpleasant odor.
• Increased blood pressure, attacks of tachycardia.
• Loss of energy, irritability.
• Colic at the time of passing gas.
• Bitter or metallic aftertaste in the mouth.
• Short-term pain in the intestines of a cramping nature.

In later stages of pregnancy, abdominal pain and gas begin to have a greater impact on a woman's well-being. In addition to the difficult situation with social adaptation due to the constant passage of gases, the woman has serious health problems. If the causes of bloating cannot be eliminated, frequent headaches, severe weakness, and dizziness occur. The woman becomes sleepy and weak, she does not want to drink or eat. Soon shortness of breath appears and the pulse quickens, it is difficult for the pregnant woman to move, and as a result of refusal to eat, hemoglobin drops and oxygen circulation is disrupted.

Bloating and gas during pregnancy: potential risks and complications

With irregular and moderate gas formation, the woman is not in danger of anything other than severe discomfort. But if the condition becomes chronic and cannot be corrected, serious complications can arise.

In the first trimester, such a disorder in the digestive tract can provoke hypertension and create a risk of miscarriage. In addition, this condition can aggravate toxicosis and dehydration. This, in turn, will cause a deficiency of substances and oxygen beneficial to the fetus.

At a later gestational age, the swollen intestine will further displace internal organs and put pressure on the uterus and baby. This may result in premature contractions and birth.

Important! Refusal to eat and severe psychological discomfort provoke the birth of a weakened, underweight baby.

How to get rid of gas during pregnancy

Any sensations in your stomach that are unfamiliar to you should be the reason for a visit to your obstetrician-gynecologist. During your visit to the doctor, you will be prescribed the necessary tests and ultrasound examinations to exclude possible pathologies of the internal organs.

Based on the results of the examination, you will be given a suitable diet and, if necessary, approved medications that will eliminate gas in the stomach during pregnancy.

Treatment methods depend on the causes of gas accumulation, so it is unacceptable to solve the problem of flatulence on your own without examining a doctor.

The right diet for bloating during pregnancy

In 80% of cases, the poor diet of a pregnant woman is to blame for the occurrence of flatulence. The menu should be dominated by easily digestible natural products after gentle heat treatment (steamed or boiled). The diet should be divided into 5-6 meals. You need to eat slowly, chewing each bite well.

To prevent food fermentation, you should not wash down your food even with water. The break between meals and drinking any liquid should be at least 40 minutes.

The group of prohibited foods that increase gas formation includes beans, rutabaga, peas, onions, all varieties and types of cabbage, and turnips. The consumption of bananas, carbonated water, flour products, mushrooms, raisins, garlic, processed foods and liver is limited.

The daily menu of a woman who suffers from gas during pregnancy and stomach pain should consist of the following products:

• Any low-fat fermented milk products.
• Nuts and dried fruits in small quantities.
• Boiled fish and meat.
• Herbal or green tea, decoction of dried fruits.
• Biscuit cookies, long-lasting (“Maria”, “Zoological”).
• Kelp and other seafood.
• Steamed and hard-boiled eggs.
• Vegetable salads, casseroles, stews.
• Soups with second broth.
• Cereals (buckwheat, oatmeal).
• Fruits and berries and dishes based on them (fruit drinks, juices, jelly, smoothies).

Special dry starters of beneficial bacteria will help speed up the digestion of food and eliminate gases during pregnancy. They can be used to make homemade yogurt and kefir, or simply stir in a glass of milk and drink in the morning.

If flatulence is accompanied by constipation, you need to drink 20 g of olive oil on an empty stomach, and throughout the day adhere to the correct drinking regimen (1.5-2 liters of water per day).

Drug treatments for severe gas during pregnancy

Flatulence during pregnancy is a very inconvenient illness and should not be tolerated. In order not to provoke stress, poor health and stress on all internal organs, it is necessary to eliminate excessive gas formation by all available and safe methods. Diet, adequate drinking, rest and exercise help get rid of bloating during pregnancy, but what to do if these actions remain ineffective.

If adjustments to a pregnant woman's daily lifestyle do not produce positive results, an obstetrician-gynecologist may recommend drug treatment.

A pregnant woman is allowed to take the following medications for bloating:

• Espumisan (analogue of Bobotik) - in a minimal dose, it quickly stops gas formation, does not enter the bloodstream, and is safe for mother and baby.
• Enterosgel (analogues of Smet, white coal, Diosmectite) - absorbs and removes toxins, rotting products, and harmful microorganisms from the intestines. Effective for constipation or diarrhea, dysbacteriosis.
• Creon (Pancreatin, Mezim) is an enzyme preparation that accelerates the digestion of food.
• Bebinos, children's tea "Fennel", dill tea, Iberogast - herbal preparations that relieve discomfort during colic.
• Hilak forte, Biosporin, Enterozermina, Acidophilin are prebiotics that help normalize the gastrointestinal tract and increase immunity.

Chamomile tea, infusion of peppermint and dandelion seeds have an excellent carminative effect. You need to brew this product in this way: 2 tsp. herbs per cup of boiling water. You can safely drink 1-2 servings a day.

Physical activity for flatulence

During pregnancy, physical activity is often limited for many women. The reason for this is the risk of miscarriage in the 1st trimester, gestosis or excess weight in later stages, and other complications. This complicates the treatment of gases during pregnancy, so the doctor decides what to do in such a situation based on the woman’s condition.

If there are no special contraindications or restrictions, it is much easier for a woman to get rid of flatulence with the help of gymnastics for pregnant women, visiting the pool, yoga and active walking. These events trigger metabolism, tone the intestinal muscles and create conditions for rapid and complete digestion of food.

Gases in the intestines during pregnancy: problem prevention

If you have a predisposition to gas formation, it is better to play it safe and immediately after conception follow certain rules of behavior:

• Always wear clothes in your size that are appropriate for your pregnancy. If the outfit compresses the stomach or chest, this will affect the functioning of the stomach.
• Try to move more every day. If physical activity is prohibited, just take a walk in the fresh air more often.
• Divide food portions into several doses and chew food for a long time.
• Stick to proper nutrition and exclude carminative foods.
• Try not to succumb to bouts of depression, don’t be nervous, enjoy the little things.
• Get plenty of rest (you can add a nap during the day if you wish).
• When the first symptoms of flatulence appear, consult a doctor.
• Forget about carbonated water, coffee, kvass for a while.
• Avoid places where people smoke.

Gas formation is not a reason to be shy and silent about your problem. Don't be afraid to ask your gynecologist for help. It will help eliminate the problem, and you can calmly enjoy your “special” position.

How to get rid of bloating. Video

Many women experience increased gas formation already in the first weeks of pregnancy, and bloating is often considered one of the first signs of pregnancy and conception. That is, partly increased formation of gases in the intestines is inevitable during this period. But this does not mean at all that the problem cannot or should not be dealt with.

If you suffer from bloating and colic during pregnancy, then you should definitely know how you can get rid of this unpleasant feeling.

At what stage does flatulence occur during pregnancy?

The 1st trimester hasn't even ended yet, and you're already suffering from gas and abdominal pain? Well, that may very well be the case. Women who have previously suffered from various gastrointestinal disorders are especially likely to encounter such problems. As you know, with the onset of pregnancy, all chronic ailments worsen and all weak points in the body are exposed. If the digestive processes were disrupted before, then bloating and constipation will certainly manifest themselves in the early stages.

However, even a healthy woman does not always manage to avoid this unpleasant phenomenon. Obstetricians say that in most cases the stomach swells at a later stage - in the 2nd and especially in the 3rd trimester, when the size of the uterus has already increased significantly. But in practice, many expectant mothers suffer from flatulence from the first days of pregnancy. And there are many reasons for this.

Why does the stomach bloat during pregnancy: reasons

The first thing we have already found out is a disruption in the functioning of the stomach, intestines or pancreas. Any ailments and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (such as gastritis, enterocolitis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, helminthic infestation, dysbacteriosis and others) do not have the best effect on the functioning of the intestines, which can result in flatulence. If you are familiar with this phenomenon quite closely, then with the onset of pregnancy, your health is almost guaranteed to worsen already in the first trimester. After all, in addition to exacerbations of chronic ailments, you will experience multiple changes that inevitably occur in the body against the backdrop of the development of new life in it.

One of these most significant changes is a sharp increase in progesterone levels. This hormone, among other things, helps to relax the smooth muscles of the internal organs to prevent spasms and contractions of the uterus and prevent rejection of the embryo.

Together with the uterus, the intestines “relax”. It becomes lazier, its walls do not contract as actively as they should, which means that food and feces move worse, resulting in stagnation: the processes of rotting and fermentation begin, which is accompanied by the formation of gases. Insufficient production of enzymes by the pancreas necessary for digesting food adds fuel to the fire. Because of this, painful bloating and other unpleasant phenomena occur: constipation, heartburn, colic, belching.

If at the same time the expectant mother eats incorrectly and unhealthyly, then bloating after eating during pregnancy will occur quite often, if not constantly. This is facilitated by overeating, a large amount of gas-forming foods in the diet, hasty consumption of food, non-compliance with the drinking regime and other dietary errors. If chronic dysbiosis is present, then it will not be possible to eliminate painful flatulence even with the help of diet.

In the second and third trimester the situation gets even worse. After all, at this time the active growth of the uterus begins. Under its pressure, the intestines are compressed and cannot function normally, one of the consequences of which is increased flatulence and pain.

These are the main reasons why pregnant women experience bloating. But there are also factors predisposing to this:

• Wearing compressive clothing.
• Staying for a long time in an uncomfortable position that puts pressure on the stomach.
• Impact of stress.
• Prolonged stay in emotional stress.
• Unfavorable environmental conditions.

Bloating in late pregnancy is often accompanied by nausea, heartburn, hiccups, shortness of breath, intestinal colic, a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, excessive gas and diarrhea. Sometimes the condition is aggravated by deterioration of appetite, bitter taste in the mouth, insomnia, weakness, irritability. Pulse, heartbeat, and blood pressure disturbances also occur. All these symptoms can be interconnected and appear precisely because of impaired intestinal function.

Why is frequent bloating during pregnancy dangerous?

It is not surprising that such manifestations do not go unnoticed for the expectant mother and her baby. Actually, bloating in itself does not threaten the fetus, but the consequences of such a disruption of the gastrointestinal tract can have a certain impact on the development of the baby and the course of pregnancy.

The very fact of the formation of an excess amount of gases indicates that the processes of food digestion are poor, which means that it is not completely absorbed, and mother and baby do not receive the necessary nutrients. In addition, bloating and uterine tone are often combined (after all, a swollen intestine puts strong counter pressure on the uterus), and this poses a threat of miscarriage.

There is nothing good about a mother’s poor health, especially since severe bloating in the evening and at night prevents many from sleeping normally.

What to do if your stomach is bloated during pregnancy

From the above, it follows that the problem must be dealt with in order to, if not eliminate it (because this, unfortunately, cannot always be done), then at least reduce the occurrence of intestinal gases.

How to deal with bloating during pregnancy

Although there can be many causes of flatulence in pregnant women, there are ways to reduce pain and discomfort in the abdomen, regardless of what led to increased gas formation.

1. Do not wear clothes that are tight or put pressure on your stomach and lower abdomen.
2. Every day, do exercises, gymnastics, or at least walk.
3. If there is such an opportunity and there are no contraindications, then visit the pool or yoga for pregnant women.
4. Avoid positions that put pressure on your stomach, especially when eating: eat while sitting up straight.
5. Do not talk while eating, do not rush, eat slowly and chew thoroughly.
6. Eat in small portions: small portions, but little by little (5-6 times a day).
7. Do not go to bed immediately after eating - it is better to walk a little.
8. Do not drink water during or immediately after meals: it is better to do this between meals, distributing the daily intake evenly throughout the day.
9. It is better to drink from a cup or glass (when drinking from a bottle or through a straw, excess air is swallowed into the intestines).
10. Monitor your weight gain and do not exceed the norm.

Bloating during pregnancy: diet

Not only how to eat, but also what to eat is of great importance. There are foods that promote fermentation in the intestines and cause flatulence. They will have to be excluded from the diet or reduced to a minimum. These are yeast baked goods (especially black and fresh white bread), legumes, white cabbage, pickled, pickled and fresh vegetables, sweets, carbonated drinks, coffee and strong tea, whole (homemade) milk and full-fat cottage cheese. Increased formation of gases is often caused by certain fruits (pears, apples, especially their peels), shelf-stable foods, fatty and fried foods.

The basis of the diet should be cereals and lean protein: boiled fish, lean meats, eggs. Fresh fermented milk products will contribute to better intestinal function and restoration of microflora. It is recommended to drink a glass of natural yogurt or kefir at night (but not “older” than 2 days). Boiled beets, prunes, and pumpkin will be useful.

It is imperative to follow a drinking regime: during the day you should drink 1.5-2 liters of plain purified water (50-70 ml at a time). Don't worry about swelling: it has long been proven that water does not contribute to the formation of edema in pregnant women.

Bloating during pregnancy: folk remedies

If following all these recommendations does not give a positive result, then additional treatment will most likely be required. Of course, this problem should be discussed with a doctor, and not with friends or Internet users. Even folk remedies must be agreed upon with a specialist, because many of the recipes may be contraindicated for pregnant women in general or for you in particular. Traditional medicine recommends using chamomile, mint, oregano, dill, rosemary, fennel, anise, cardamom, nutmeg, etc. to eliminate intestinal gases. Before choosing any of these remedies, make sure that you are not allergic to it.

We offer several effective and widely used recipes for flatulence, but any of them must be approved by a doctor:

• Add a drop of coriander essential oil to a tablespoon of honey and eat it after meals - morning and evening.
• Brew a teaspoon of chamomile flowers with a glass of boiling water and drink like tea.
• Pour 2 tsp into a glass of boiling water. dill seeds Let it brew and strain after an hour. Drink the infusion throughout the day, dividing it into 3-4 equal portions.
• Boil a tablespoon of cumin seeds in a glass of water over low heat for 5-10 minutes. Strain and take 2-3 tbsp before meals.
• Chop the peeled garlic and dry completely. Then grind it into powder and take a pinch during periods of exacerbation.
• Boil 1 tsp in a glass of water. crushed coriander seeds for a few minutes. Let it brew a little and strain. Drink three times before main meals. This drink simultaneously helps fight attacks of nausea and heartburn.
• Prepare a collection of equal parts of fennel seeds, anise, cumin and mint leaves. Then brew 2 teaspoons of the mixture with a glass of boiling water and let it brew for an hour “under a fur coat.” Strain and drink a third of a glass throughout the day.
• Pour 2 tsp. crushed dandelion root with a glass of cold boiled water. Strain after 8 hours and drink throughout the day before meals, dividing the volume into equal portions.
• Pour 2 tsp of boiling water over a glass. dry watch leaves and leave for an hour. Strain and take a tablespoon 3-4 times a day. The drink also helps with constipation and gastritis with low acidity.

It is also useful for pregnant women suffering from bloating to add a pinch of dry ginger root to prepared dishes (if there are no contraindications).

Among the mechanical methods, pregnant women can use a light stroking massage of the abdomen with the palm of the hand in a clockwise direction, or applying a warm diaper to the abdomen (in the intestinal area).

How to treat bloating during pregnancy: medications

If the feeling of bloating occurs constantly and also causes severe discomfort (pain, heartburn appears, the stomach becomes hard), then you should not neglect medical help.

Most often, in such cases, expectant mothers are prescribed Espumisan (or other semiticone-based drugs) as an effective and safe drug. It is a carminative, meaning it reduces the formation of intestinal gases and promotes their elimination. But it should be recognized that the high cost of the medicine is not always justified. Too often pregnant women complain that they do not notice any effect from taking Espumisan.

In this case, enzyme preparations (Mezim forte, Pancreatin, Festal), probiotics (Acidophilus, Biosporin), sorbents (Activated carbon, Enterosgel) may be effective. Often these groups of drugs are prescribed in combination, but you cannot self-medicate and take medications unless absolutely necessary. With this question, you need to contact a doctor who will advise how to eliminate flatulence in your case.

In general, women who have experienced bloating during pregnancy are encouraged to just get over it. No, at least something definitely needs to be done. At the very least, adjusting your diet and lifestyle will be useful in any case. You'll just have to use a method of elimination to find foods to which the intestines react particularly acutely. However, it is unlikely that it will be possible to completely get rid of the problem until the body recovers after childbirth and returns to its previous mode of operation. But even here, if the problem has been common to you for years, you will have to look for the cause of the bloating and take care of your health in order to put your intestines and stomach in order.

Finally, we would like to warn you: if severe bloating and severe pain occur suddenly and persist for several days, then you should urgently consult a doctor to rule out serious pathology of the abdominal organs.

We wish you a comfortable pregnancy!

Especially for - Ekaterina Vlasenko

During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes many changes. They often cause serious discomfort. Such problems include flatulence or. This happens in the early stages, but most often in late pregnancy. This condition requires a woman to follow a special diet. It is also necessary to consult a doctor, since it is not always possible to get rid of discomfort in this way; you need to take special medications. In addition, some symptoms of flatulence sometimes resemble signs of miscarriage.

The effect of flatulence on pregnancy

Flatulence is bloating and increased formation of gases in the intestines. Most often this happens when digestion slows down, food stagnation and fermentation occur. This condition is accompanied by rumbling in the abdomen, cramping pain, and frequent passage of gas. During pregnancy, this can lead to serious problems. After all, increased gas formation can cause an increase in the tone of the uterus, the appearance of constipation and a deterioration in general well-being.

Therefore, bloating during pregnancy, even in mild form, necessarily requires special treatment. And since at this time you cannot take any medications without a doctor’s prescription, consultation with a specialist is required. You need to see a doctor when the first signs of flatulence appear: a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, rumbling or gurgling, irregular bowel movements, frequent passing of gas, after which the woman feels better. Indeed, at the initial stage, the problem can be eliminated by simple nutritional correction.

In severe cases, flatulence may be accompanied by other symptoms. A woman experiences:

• belching, heartburn;
• decreased appetite;
• nausea, sometimes vomiting;
• constipation;
• intestinal colic;
• bad breath;
• sleep disturbance, weakness.

It is especially important to visit a doctor if you experience frequent cramps in the lower abdomen. These may be signs of miscarriage. In addition, it is dangerous when flatulence is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, especially with blood. This happens with an intestinal infection.

Causes

Some women experience flatulence already in the first trimester of pregnancy. This is due to hormonal changes. The level of the hormone progesterone increases, which causes relaxation of smooth muscles. This is necessary to reduce the tone of the uterus to ensure normal pregnancy. But along the way, the intestinal muscles can relax. And due to the slowdown of its peristalsis, intestinal emptying worsens, processes of rotting and fermentation occur, and gases are released.

Elevated progesterone levels also affect the functioning of the pancreas. It may reduce the production of digestive enzymes. In this case, part of the food enters the large intestine undigested. This also leads to increased gas formation. Enzyme deficiency can also be congenital, but it is not so noticeable before pregnancy. And in pregnant women, all chronic diseases become aggravated. And if a woman has previously suffered from gastritis, peptic ulcers or pancreatitis, they can manifest themselves as flatulence.

There are also more serious reasons for this condition. These are intestinal infections, appendicitis, peptic ulcers, intestinal obstruction. They can manifest themselves at the initial stage as bloating, intestinal colic, and frequent passing of gas.

The causes of bloating in late pregnancy include compression of the intestines by the enlarged uterus. It grows and gradually shifts the intestinal loops, which disrupts its motility and the process of moving food. This leads to fermentation and constipation.

This also happens due to wearing tight clothing, belts, bandages, and corsets that compress the abdominal cavity. They interfere with the normal passage of food through the intestines, causing fermentation and bloating.

From the second trimester, women also often develop dysbiosis. Disruption of intestinal microflora is also associated with hormonal imbalances and changes in diet. The reason for this may be stress, constant nervousness, or a woman’s bad mood.

Most often, flatulence is observed in the later stages, when the growing uterus puts pressure on the intestines.

In addition, at this time, many pregnant women are prescribed vitamins and iron supplements, which can cause indigestion and flatulence. There are also more banal causes of flatulence that are not related to pregnancy. First of all, this is smoking, because some women do not get rid of this habit while carrying a child, and nicotine increases intestinal motility, leading to intestinal spasms. In addition, this is the use of gas-forming products, chewing gum, a passion for fast food, and a sedentary lifestyle.

Nutrition

Sometimes women experience flatulence during pregnancy as a reaction to certain foods. Some of them have increased gas-forming properties when, when splitting, they release a large amount of gases. These products include:

• cabbage;
• legumes;
• chewing gum;
• fatty meat, lard and offal;
• oat bran;
• fresh bakery;
• grapes, raisins;
• eggplant;
• onions, garlic, radishes, radishes;
• marinades and salted vegetables;
• whole milk, kefir;
• kvass, carbonated drinks.

In addition, increased gas formation often occurs due to improper food intake. If a woman chews her food poorly, eats on the go, in a hurry, or while talking, she can swallow air, which enters the intestines and causes the stomach to swell. This condition also occurs due to overeating. A large amount of food will not have time to be digested, and it begins to rot in the intestines. Often in pregnant women, the volume of the stomach decreases, as the growing uterus presses on it. Therefore, its overflow will lead to bloating and pain.

To prevent such changes in bowel function from becoming permanent, it is necessary to take immediate action. You can remove bloating and other symptoms of flatulence in the initial stages only by changing your diet. A woman needs to improve her digestion and bowel function. To do this, it is recommended to eat regularly, in small portions, but often. This kind of nutrition is called fractional. It helps a pregnant woman not to overload her digestive tract. In addition, you must chew all food thoroughly.

Proper nutrition during pregnancy will help avoid bloating

It is important to include plenty of vegetables and fruits in your diet, except those that cause gas. Boiled beets, dried apricots, figs, and dried fruit compotes are useful. They make the intestines work normally. In addition, it is necessary to drink enough liquid. It is useful to drink fermented milk drinks, natural yoghurts, and cottage cheese. These products not only provide calcium to the pregnant woman’s body, but also help to establish intestinal microflora.

Features of treatment

Bloating during pregnancy is not a dangerous condition, but it can bring a lot of trouble to a woman. Therefore, it is imperative to get rid of it. If a woman had any problems with the gastrointestinal tract before pregnancy, she should immediately go to a gastroenterologist. Otherwise, first see a therapist. The doctor will conduct an examination to determine the cause of the flatulence. After this, he will advise what to do to eliminate the discomfort.

In mild cases, a change in diet and an increase in physical activity will be sufficient. A woman is recommended to walk for at least an hour, and it is useful to do swimming and yoga. This will help stimulate intestinal motility. You can also do a light abdominal massage: lie on your side and stroke it in a circular motion in the intestinal area, then turn over to the other side. It is also necessary to avoid stress and clothing that compresses the abdominal cavity. Your doctor will help you choose a bandage that will support your growing belly without interfering with your bowel movements.

In addition, it is very important to monitor your diet: do not overeat, give up fast food, gas-forming products, soda, chew food thoroughly. Typically, such measures help alleviate a woman’s condition. But severe bloating cannot be eliminated with their help alone. In this case, other methods are needed. The doctor prescribes special medications that are safe during pregnancy and will not harm the baby. In addition, you can additionally use traditional methods, most often these are herbal decoctions.

Drug treatment

Not all medications can be taken by a woman during pregnancy, especially in the early stages. For example, some antacids are prohibited - Maalox, York, Almakon. Therefore, drug treatment should only be prescribed by a doctor. The most commonly used products are simethicone based. They are called defoamers because they help destroy gas bubbles and remove them more quickly. Such medications are safe for a pregnant woman, since they act only in the intestinal lumen and are not absorbed into the blood.

The most common antifoam agent is Espumisan. This is a safe and effective remedy against flatulence, which is prescribed even to infants. A woman is usually recommended to take this drug in capsules - 2 pieces at night. Analogues of Espumisan are Sab Simplex, Diflatil, Meteospasmil, Bobotik and other simethicone-based products. The choice of medication should be entrusted to a doctor; you should not self-medicate.

The herbal preparation Iberogast is also considered safe during pregnancy. It also has carminative properties and also improves digestion. This drug consists of alcoholic extracts of various herbs: chamomile, Iberian, milk thistle, caraway, lemon balm and others. It normalizes the tone of the intestinal walls, has a bactericidal and choleretic effect. Take Iberogast 20 drops 3 times a day for a short time.

In addition to these drugs, adsorbents and probiotics are sometimes prescribed to pregnant women for flatulence. Sorbents help remove gases and toxins from the intestines, helping to reduce gas formation. The most commonly used are Smecta, activated carbon, and Polysorb. But these medications can remove useful substances and vitamins from a woman’s body, and can also lead to constipation. Therefore, they are used for a short time and only as prescribed by a doctor. Probiotics, for example, Bifidumbacterin or Linex, are needed to normalize the intestinal microflora. And the drugs Lactuvit or Duphalac, in addition, help with constipation.

Medicines for a pregnant woman must be prescribed by a doctor.

Traditional methods

Treatment of flatulence during pregnancy is not always effective, since women should not take strong medications. Therefore, even doctors often advise using traditional recipes. Various herbal decoctions that have carminative properties, relieve inflammation and improve digestion will help relieve unpleasant symptoms.

Most often it is recommended to drink decoctions of chamomile or ginger. If there are no contraindications to taking these plants, they can be drunk as tea. They improve digestion and have antispasmodic properties. Decoctions of valerian root or mint have a calming effect. They also relieve spasms and reduce gas formation. But it is best to take a decoction of dill seeds for flatulence. You can brew regular herbs, but it is best to purchase the raw materials at a pharmacy. This decoction is drunk during exacerbations, half a glass every hour.

The following herbs are also effective for flatulence:

• dandelion root;
• sweet clover;
• caraway seeds;
• anise;
• fennel.

But before using any traditional recipes, you should consult your doctor. This will help avoid complications and worsening of the condition.

Flatulence in a woman during pregnancy is a common occurrence. It is not dangerous, although it causes discomfort. It is easy to cope with this problem, especially under the guidance of a doctor. By following a proper diet and following all doctors’ recommendations, a woman carries a child without any unpleasant health consequences.

Pregnancy and gas are a common combination, from the first weeks after conception to the last days of the baby’s intrauterine development. This significantly worsens the condition of the expectant mother and disrupts the harmony of the period of joyful anticipation of the birth of a child. About 2/3 of pregnant women face this delicate problem.

Flatulence is characterized by an increased accumulation of gaseous substances in the intestinal lumen, while the woman experiences a feeling of heaviness, fullness and distension in the abdomen. At times, gas colic may occur - cramping pain that appears when gases move through the gastrointestinal tract. After their release, the unpleasant feeling decreases or disappears altogether. Often the listed symptoms are also accompanied by belching, rumbling in the intestines or hiccups.

Sometimes flatulence is accompanied by other digestive problems - or. Symptoms of increased gas production are not constant, they appear and disappear.

Causes

The increased formation of gases in the intestines can be explained by the following reasons:

• in the first trimester, the pancreas produces fewer enzymes, which negatively affects the process of digesting food;
• increased synthesis, which has a relaxing effect on smooth muscles;
• the growing uterus in the third trimester puts mechanical pressure on the intestines, which leads to bloating and increased accumulation of gases;
• lack of physical activity;
• incorrect;
• treatment with medications, the use of which provokes flatulence;
• exacerbation of chronic gastrointestinal diseases.

Gases in the early stages

Often, a swollen belly due to increased formation of gases in the intestines is one of the signs that occurs in the early stages of pregnancy. Changes in hormonal levels in the body of the expectant mother lead to the fact that the smooth muscles of the intestines lose their tone. This, in turn, leads to a slowdown in peristalsis and a decrease in the speed of movement of food and feces through the loops of the small and large intestines.

Also, the formation of gases during early pregnancy can be caused by a decrease in the production of pancreatic enzymes, which occurs against the background of hormonal changes, as well as due to changes in a woman’s gastronomic preferences. To eliminate this problem, you should adjust your diet, take daily walks, perform self-massage of the anterior abdominal wall, and also take enzymes as prescribed by your therapist.

In the later stages

Gas in early pregnancy usually does not bother a woman as much as flatulence in the last trimester. This problem arises due to the fact that the growing uterus displaces and compresses the gastrointestinal tract, thereby impairing the movement of feces through the intestines.

Gases during pregnancy, especially in the later stages, can cause, which is fraught. For this reason, it is necessary to carefully monitor your condition, and if suspicious symptoms occur, consult a doctor immediately.

If bloating is accompanied by pain

Excessive accumulation of gases in the intestines is often accompanied by pain in the abdomen. Doctors call hormonal changes the main reason that the early stages of pregnancy in the expectant mother are accompanied by flatulence. Constipation also often occurs. It is not recommended to take it, often prescribed in such cases for constipation accompanied by flatulence, since in most women, on the contrary, bloating increases, because increased gas formation is one of the side effects of taking lactulose-based drugs.

Abdominal pain can be caused by a change in diet, as a result of which digestion is disrupted and gases begin to form intensively. To reduce the severity of discomfort, a pregnant woman is allowed to take medications that promote the release of gases. You can drink Espumisan or Bobotik. These medications are prescribed to newborns for colic, so if the expectant mother takes such a suspension, it will not harm the baby, but her condition will improve significantly.

Treatment

A woman who is carrying a baby should not take many pharmaceutical drugs. Therefore, when gas occurs during pregnancy, the expectant mother is concerned with the question of what to do in such a situation in order to get rid of the discomfort. You should tell your doctor about the problem. He will advise various methods to eliminate flatulence.

Diet

The basis of treatment is to carefully study and change your eating habits. In order to reduce gas formation, it is necessary to limit or completely avoid certain foods that, when consumed, begin the fermentation process in the intestines.

Tips for getting rid of flatulence:

• eat fractionally and in small portions;
• observe drinking regime;
• exclude from the menu foods and dishes that increase gas formation;
• chew food thoroughly;
• stick to a balanced diet.

Massage

If a woman is often bothered by gases during pregnancy, she should master the technique of self-massage, which will ensure the removal of excess air from the gastrointestinal tract naturally.

In order to eliminate discomfort in the abdomen, a woman needs to sit on a flat horizontal surface, face up, while freeing her abdomen from clothing that is squeezing it. You should perform smooth strokes with your palm along the anterior abdominal wall clockwise for 10 minutes. At an early stage, when the stomach is still practically invisible, it is allowed to make light vibrating movements in a spiral, starting from the navel and to the periphery of the abdominal region.

Physical exercise

Excessive accumulation of gases in the intestines can be eliminated by moderate physical activity. Before performing them, you should consult your doctor about whether they are allowed for you and whether this will lead to hypertonicity of the uterus.

The following types of physical activity are the most optimal for expectant mothers::

• daily walks in the fresh air;
• special gymnastics for pregnant women;
• , with the exception of those asanas that require creating a vacuum in the abdominal cavity and excessive bending;

Folk remedies

You can cope with excessive production of gaseous substances with the help of medicinal herbs, which are brewed and drunk 2-3 times a day.

Here are some recipes:

• Take 6 teaspoons of cumin seeds per liter of boiling water. After the decoction has infused, strain and drink before meals in the morning and evening.
• Brew 10 grams of fennel or dill with a glass of hot water in a thermos for 3-4 hours. After this, cool the drink, strain and take as needed. The finished broth can be stored for no more than a day.
• Many expectant mothers benefit from a herbal mixture containing peppermint, valerian and fennel in a 2:1:1 ratio. Pour boiling water over the mixture of dried plants and leave in a dark place for a couple of hours, then remove the sediment and take before meals.

Also, to reduce gas in pregnant women, you can prepare a decoction of parsley root and drink it in the morning before meals and in the evening before bed.

Medicines

Among the medications that can eliminate increased gas formation, the following are allowed for pregnant women:

• Iberogast;
• medicines based on simethicone.

Prevention

All of the above methods for treating flatulence, with the exception of medicines and decoctions of medicinal herbs, are also good methods of prevention. Therefore, during pregnancy, a woman is recommended to adhere to proper nutrition, limiting the consumption of foods that stimulate gas formation. And moderate physical activity will benefit not only the expectant mother’s intestines, but will also strengthen the body as a whole.

Getting rid of increased gas formation during pregnancy is not so difficult. It is often enough to review your diet and remove some foods to improve bowel function.

Useful video about nutrition during pregnancy

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