Treatment of increased gas formation during pregnancy - how can a doctor help? Why pregnant women are bothered by bloating: the main causes of flatulence and ways to combat it.


Flatulence is an unpleasant condition that many pregnant women have to deal with. By this term, doctors understand excessive accumulation of gases in the intestines, accompanied by pain and bloating. Why does the stomach swell during pregnancy and how to cope with this pathology?

Flatulence in early pregnancy

In the first trimester of pregnancy, bloating occurs due to changes in hormone levels. An increase in the amount of progesterone in the blood occurs almost immediately after conception. An important female hormone affects all processes occurring in the body of the expectant mother. It relaxes the muscles of the internal organs, slows down the movement of food through the intestines and provokes gas formation. The intestines of a pregnant woman simply cannot work at full capacity, which leads to the appearance of all the symptoms of flatulence.

The condition in which the belly swells in early pregnancy is caused precisely by the influence of progesterone. Congestion in the intestines leads to pain around the navel, as well as in the pubic area. There is a feeling of fullness and bloating in the intestines, and gases appear. By the end of the first trimester, the expectant mother’s body adapts to the changes taking place, and the intestines begin to function fully again. Some pregnant women continue to have a swollen belly until delivery.

Flatulence in the second half of pregnancy

Closer to 20 weeks, the following factors can cause bloating:

  • poor nutrition;
  • stress;
  • wearing clothes that are tight and tight in the waist;
  • use of a bandage;
  • exacerbation of chronic diseases of the digestive tract.

In the second half of pregnancy, the cause of discomfort around the navel may be the consumption of gas-forming foods. Cabbage, asparagus, beans, peas, sweet grapes and some other foods can cause pain and heaviness in the abdomen. Symptoms of flatulence can also occur after drinking carbonated drinks. After normalizing the diet, all unpleasant symptoms go away without additional therapy.

The longer the pregnancy, the more often women notice bloating and gas. In later stages, attacks of flatulence occur due to fetal movements. While in the uterus, the baby puts more and more pressure on the intestines, gallbladder and liver, provoking the appearance of all the unpleasant symptoms. And only after 36 weeks, when the uterus drops and stops putting pressure on the internal organs, women experience slight relief and a decrease in signs of flatulence.

Typical symptoms

The condition in which the stomach is swollen is difficult to confuse with something else. Many pregnant women feel pain in the navel area, radiating to the groin and womb. Heaviness in the stomach appears even after a light snack. Bloating and distension occurs after eating. Gas is an inevitable sign of flatulence. Involuntary gas formation brings significant discomfort to every pregnant woman and can cause social isolation.

Due to constant pain and bloating, many women refuse to eat. They try to eat just a little bit, but even this does not always help cope with the problem. In the early stages of pregnancy, the situation is complicated by toxicosis, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. A decrease in body weight is possible against the background of pronounced manifestations of flatulence.

Why is flatulence dangerous?

If the expectant mother's stomach swells from time to time, there is no need to be afraid. This phenomenon is considered completely normal and occurs in most pregnant women. In most cases, flatulence causes only some discomfort to the woman herself, but does not in any way affect the development of her baby. After the birth of the child, the hormonal levels return to normal, the intestines return to their usual rhythm of work, and the delicate problem disappears by itself.

It’s a completely different matter if flatulence becomes a constant companion of the expectant mother. When your stomach swells after every meal, it can be quite difficult to remain calm. This problem can lead to a decrease in appetite and even a refusal of usual food. If it lasts for a long time, flatulence can provoke the development of vitamin deficiency, which will ultimately lead to a slowdown in fetal development.

Treatment methods

During pregnancy, great importance is given to non-drug therapy. The following methods will help alleviate the condition of the expectant mother and relieve the woman from symptoms of flatulence:

  1. Diet. The first thing a pregnant woman should do is review her diet. Foods that increase gas formation should be excluded from the diet for the entire nine months. You should forget about cabbage and peas, beans, beans and grapes. The expectant mother needs to limit the consumption of black bread and give up sweet carbonated drinks. Also, do not put too much stress on your intestines while eating. Meals should be frequent, 5-6 times a day, but in small portions. This approach will reduce the load on the digestive tract and relieve the expectant mother from the symptoms of flatulence.
  2. Drinking regime. If your stomach is swollen, doctors recommend drinking as much clean water as possible. Two liters a day is the minimum that a pregnant woman suffering from flatulence should drink. Instead of water, you can drink berry juice or dried fruit compote. Strong tea and coffee should be avoided.
  3. Physical activity. To prevent flatulence, doctors advise moving more. Yoga, swimming and special gymnastics for pregnant women will help improve the passage of food through the intestines. Daily walks in the fresh air, especially before bed, will also have a good effect.

Drug therapy is prescribed if all other methods have failed. For severe flatulence, medications are used that reduce the formation of gases and improve intestinal function. “Smecta”, “Espumizan” and other similar drugs cope well with bloating and are approved for use from early pregnancy.

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

Replies

Increased gas formation and all the consequences of this condition worry almost all expectant mothers. Bloating during pregnancy causes a lot of inconvenience for women. On the one hand, this is a completely natural condition caused by hormonal changes and physiological changes. But on the other hand, it is fraught with various problems and complications.

Why increased gas formation occurs and how to properly deal with it, you will learn by reading this article.

Bloating and gas during pregnancy - symptoms and signs

Increased gas formation, bloating and flatulence are symptoms that accompany almost every pregnancy. Sometimes this happens in the very early stages - literally from the first weeks after conception or even before the delay, in other cases it develops at the end of the first trimester.

The main reason for increased gas formation, flatulence during pregnancy, as well as belching, heartburn, nausea, diarrhea and other unpleasant phenomena is influence of hormones on the digestive tract. Progesterone relaxes smooth muscle tissue (reduces the tone of the uterus, and at the same time the stomach and intestines), which is why the digestion process inevitably changes.

Food begins to be digested and moves through the gastrointestinal tract much more slowly, which is why a wide variety of negative phenomena occur, including gas formation. Often, bloating during pregnancy occurs immediately after eating: this is due to a lack of enzymatic activity in the stomach.

Increased gas formation, indigestion, dyspepsia, heartburn, diarrhea and bloating in the second trimester and later are due to another reason, namely - an increase in the size of the uterus and fetus. The uterus puts pressure on the digestive tract, moves the intestines and stomach from their usual places, changes their configuration, which inevitably affects the functioning of the internal organs.

Additional symptoms of bloating and gas formation:

  • bitterness or metallic taste in the mouth;
  • heartburn;
  • esophagitis-reflux - the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus, which causes an unpleasant burning sensation in the chest;
  • feeling of fullness in the abdominal cavity;
  • heart rate increases (pulse increases);
  • loss of appetite;
  • digestive disorders - diarrhea or constipation;
  • frequent gas;
  • nausea;
  • colic, pain, rumbling in the stomach;
  • increased blood pressure.

Often the above-mentioned signs occur due to pathological causes - for example, gastritis, cholecystitis, peptic ulcer or pancreatitis.

The answer to the question of how to get rid of bloating depends on the diagnosis made by the doctor. Experts categorically do not recommend treating flatulence and other phenomena on your own. First you need to find out if there are any pathological reasons affecting the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

The doctor decides for himself how to deal with increased gas formation. Sometimes diet and lifestyle adjustments are enough. In other situations, safe drugs such as Espumisana And Smecty. In addition to tablets and drugs, folk remedies of herbal origin help well.

You should see a doctor urgently if bloating is accompanied by symptoms such as:

  • severe abdominal pain;
  • constant nausea and vomiting;
  • persistent diarrhea;
  • prolonged constipation;
  • blood in stool;
  • spasms and contractions in the abdominal area.

Excessive gas in the abdomen is in any case an undesirable phenomenon, even if it was caused by natural causes. Abdominal bloating is dangerous because it compresses the blood vessels of the uterus and causes painful swelling in a woman.

We will talk about how to remove heaviness, bloating and colic in the following sections. But first, let's find out what causes flatulence.

Causes of flatulence during pregnancy

We have already announced the main reasons - hormonal changes in the body and the growth of the uterus.

Let's talk about these and other culprits of flatulence and bloating in more detail.

In the early stages

Bloating often appears before a woman even finds out she is pregnant. She may think that unpleasant phenomena in the abdominal cavity are associated with PMS and act as a harbinger of menstruation. But women who have given birth already know that intense gas formation and bloating occur not only before menstruation, but also indicate hormonal changes.

It happens that several reasons in combination lead to increased formation of gases. Or one reason leads to another.

In the later stages

The longer the period, the larger the fetus and the more intense the pressure on surrounding organs. Pregnant women and women who have given birth know firsthand what pressure is like on the bladder, diaphragm and stomach.

It is the growth of the fetus that causes digestive disorders of various types in the later stages. Other reasons are the same as in the 1st-2nd trimesters.

In this video, a specialist talks about changes in the gastrointestinal tract in pregnant women:

What to do for pregnant women with bloating - useful tips

How to relieve symptoms and normalize the functioning of the digestive tract? As usual, the most effective way is complex treatment. But first, you need to exclude the pathological nature of bloating - that is, make sure that gas formation and other “joys” are not accompanied by gastritis or ulcers.

So, the first thing you need to do is visit a gastroenterologist (as directed by a gynecologist) and undergo diagnostics. Routine tests (blood, urine, stool), ultrasound and gastroscopy are enough to find out whether there are serious diseases in the digestive tract.

If there are no diseases, the following useful recommendations will help you.

Tip 1. Increase physical activity

Exercises for pregnant women have never harmed anyone - if you do them competently, without fanaticism and under the guidance (at least remotely) of a specialist. Exercising at home or in the gym as part of a group improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and reduces gas formation. Exercises with a fitball (gymnastics ball) are especially effective.

It is also useful for pregnant women to swim, do yoga (a complex for pregnant women), and walk more often. In the first trimester, it is necessary to exercise with increased caution, since there is a risk of miscarriage, but in the middle and later stages the volume and intensity of exercise can be increased.

Tip 2. Adjust your diet and daily routine

A diet, especially one developed individually by a professional nutritionist, eliminates many problems, including digestive ones.

First, you need to exclude from your diet foods that cause intense gas formation - raw vegetables and fruits, legumes, flour and switch to products that are more “loyal” in this regard.

There are several varieties of herbal teas and mono-decoctions designed specifically to improve digestion. It is only important to exclude allergic reactions to certain plants.

Dandelion, St. John's wort, yarrow, carrot seeds and many other plants are excellent for bloating and other problems. A well-proven remedy for colic in newborns - dill water (fennel). Helps not only babies, but also mothers.

What a doctor can prescribe - medication treatments

Most doctors are in favor of comprehensive treatment of flatulence. In addition to correcting the daily routine, physical activity and dietary nutrition, they prescribe therapy with safe medications.

You can do without them, but it is better not to endure bloating and other uncomfortable symptoms, especially intense ones. Therefore, along with gymnastics and proper nutrition, the use of medications is allowed.

The list of approved medications includes:

  1. Espumisan– it does not enter the bloodstream and quickly reduces gas formation.
  2. Smecta and its analogues - absorbs toxins and removes them from the body.
  3. Iberogast– a herbal preparation.
  4. Mezim and similar tablets - speed up the digestion of food.
  5. Hilak Forte and other prebiotics– normalize digestion and increase immunity.

In addition to medications, exercise and diet, a heating pad helps with bloating in the early stages, but you should not abuse this method.

Bloating and gas in the abdomen: risks and consequences

Any digestive disorders are unpleasant in themselves and at the same time negatively affect all other systems - cardiovascular, urinary, endocrine. It’s impossible to call bloating a “harmless misunderstanding.”

Associated symptoms: headaches and heart pain, migraine, insomnia, palpitations, increased blood pressure. All these manifestations are not only unpleasant, but also dangerous for the health of the fetus and the expectant mother.

In medicine, cases have been recorded when, in the early stages, the stomach, swollen from gases, blocked the lumens of the blood vessels responsible for feeding the uterus, which led to oxygen starvation of the embryo. This is one of the most undesirable conditions for the unborn baby.

There is also a risk of premature labor in the middle and late stages: gas pressure increases the tone of the uterus and leads to spontaneous miscarriage.

Gases in the intestines during pregnancy: problem prevention

Correcting your diet will prevent the problem and prevent it from developing to dangerous proportions.

Exclude from the menu at least for a while: fatty, fried, salty, smoked, flour, legumes, corn, sausages, canned food, pasta, sour foods, fast food.

Make the basis of your diet: fermented milk products (cheese, fermented baked milk, cottage cheese), nuts, boiled fish, seafood, dried fruits, brown bread, casseroles, eggs, green tea, herbs, cereals, lean soups.

Follow the universal rules for pregnant women:

  • fractional meals;
  • optimal amount of food and calories (calculated by the doctor);
  • diet;
  • sufficient amount of water;
  • daily walks.

And you shouldn’t worry, lift heavy things, or eat too much before going to bed. And see a gynecologist and gastroenterologist more often.

Conclusion

Now you know that bloating and gas during pregnancy are not harmless side effects of overeating. These symptoms are of a deeper and more complex nature and require professional and competent elimination under the guidance of a doctor.

Be healthy and see you again!

While expecting a baby, many women are faced with the phenomenon of flatulence. In medicine, this term refers to excessive accumulation of gases in the intestines, accompanied by significant discomfort. Bloating during pregnancy can significantly complicate the life of the expectant mother. Why does this condition develop?

Causes of flatulence during pregnancy

Excessive formation of gases in the intestines, leading to bloating, occurs already in the first trimester of pregnancy. An increase in progesterone levels leads to relaxation of the muscles of all internal organs. The effect of the main pregnancy hormone extends not only to the uterus. In anticipation of a child, the muscle tone of the stomach and intestines decreases, which inevitably leads to a decrease in their activity. In other words, during pregnancy, a woman’s intestines cannot work at full capacity and get rid of accumulated gases in a timely manner. Congestion in the gastrointestinal tract leads to symptoms of flatulence. Also, under the influence of progesterone, constipation, heartburn and other unpleasant companions of pregnancy occur.

In addition to hormonal fluctuations, the development of flatulence is influenced by the following factors:

  • stress;
  • poor nutrition;
  • wearing tight clothes that press in the waist;
  • diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that existed before pregnancy (gastritis, peptic ulcer, colitis, pancreatitis and others).

Bloating can occur at any stage of pregnancy. As the size of the abdomen increases, the pressure of the uterus on surrounding organs increases, which means that the manifestations of flatulence intensify. In the absence of chronic intestinal diseases, all unpleasant symptoms disappear after the birth of the child.

Symptoms of flatulence

With this condition, expectant mothers may feel pain near the navel and lower abdomen, heaviness, and a feeling of fullness in the intestines. From time to time, gases may escape or, on the contrary, linger, causing some discomfort. After the gas passes, the abdominal pain always subsides. Flatulence is often accompanied by constipation, heartburn, nausea and loss of appetite. All these symptoms interfere with the normal course of pregnancy and are one of the most common reasons for visiting a doctor.

What are the dangers of bloating during pregnancy?

Flatulence that occurs in pregnant women can cause them to feel unwell. Discomfort after eating leads to the fact that expectant mothers begin to eat worse, fearing the appearance of symptoms of flatulence. A lack of nutrients inevitably affects the condition of the fetus, interfering with its normal growth and development. Bloating and constant retention of gases in the intestines provoke an increase in the tone of the uterus, which in rare cases can lead to termination of pregnancy.

Treatment of flatulence during pregnancy

If a pregnant woman has a swollen belly, she should definitely consult a doctor. To eliminate signs of flatulence, the following treatment methods are used:

  • Diet

If you have bloating, you should avoid foods that cause increased gas formation. The list of prohibited foods includes cabbage and asparagus, legumes, black bread, and carbonated drinks. The consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits is limited. You shouldn’t completely give up these valuable sources of vitamins – you just need to slightly reduce their volume in your diet. Pregnant women suffering from flatulence should eat frequently, up to 6 times a day, in small portions.

  • Water mode
  • Physical activity

Yoga, swimming, and therapeutic exercises designed specifically for pregnant women will help improve the removal of gases from the intestines. Even a regular walk in the fresh air will help you cope with flatulence. Moderate physical activity increases the tone of not only the intestines, but also the entire body, which has a beneficial effect on the general condition of a pregnant woman.

  • Drug therapy

If there is severe bloating, medications are prescribed that improve the removal of gases from the intestines. This could be Smecta, Espumisan or other drugs approved during pregnancy. Before using any medications, you should consult your doctor.

Proper nutrition and adequate physical activity in most cases help get rid of flatulence. If your condition worsens, you should definitely consult a doctor.


In the early stages and during further pregnancy, it is a common problem for many women. In order not to suffer from guessing what exactly caused such unpleasant symptoms, it is worth understanding in more detail the features of these manifestations. Although there is no need to worry, doctors recommend not to be negligent about your health, especially during such an important period of life. It is also worth considering how best to act if, during pregnancy, bloating began to greatly bother the expectant mother. In addition, it will be useful to learn traditional methods of treating this disease.

Symptoms

If a woman suffers from bloating and gas during pregnancy, then, as a rule, this manifests itself in the form of tingling and “bloating” of the abdominal cavity. Also, many representatives of the fair sex complain of colic, increased shortness of breath, severe dizziness and nausea. Among other things, some people mistake these symptoms for contractions. The pain sensations are really very similar. Also, the pulse and blood pressure may increase, which is also often mistaken for premature birth.

However, this does not mean that if bloating occurs during early pregnancy, then nothing should be done. It is best to consult a doctor. Such symptoms may indicate that the woman has actually gone into labor and needs immediate professional help.

Causes of bloating and gas during pregnancy

According to medical practice, there are a huge number of factors that can lead to such unpleasant symptoms. For example, the causes of bloating often include chronic diseases of the digestive system and other pathologies.

It is also worth highlighting the following factors that can lead to such troubles:

  • Incorrect or unbalanced diet. Very often, uncontrolled eating of legumes, cabbage, asparagus and other foods that have a laxative effect leads to such unpleasant consequences.
  • Problems with the nervous system. If a woman complains of constipation and bloating during pregnancy, this may be the first sign that she has been under stress for too long. You need to understand that when carrying a child, it is very important not to be nervous and take care of your nervous system. Therefore, the mother must exclude any negative influence and receive as much positive energy as possible.
  • Hormone surges. Bloating during pregnancy can occur due to hormonal imbalances, since during this period of life a woman’s body produces too much progesterone. An excess of this hormone leads to the fact that the muscles of the internal organs weaken, which is why digestion begins to work much more slowly. In addition, a woman may be diagnosed with an ulcer or other unpleasant ailments.
  • Increase in the size of the uterus. This problem should not be ruled out. As a rule, women begin to suffer from such unpleasant symptoms later in pregnancy. In this case, there is too much pressure on the intestines, especially if the expectant mother still wears rather tight clothes, T-shirts and tight jeans.
  • Bad ecology. If the environment is heavily polluted and a woman has to breathe not the cleanest air, this can lead to disturbances in the respiratory system at any other stage of pregnancy. In this case, it is worth thinking about changing your place of residence, at least temporarily.

  • Job. Many pregnant women who care about their careers prefer not to leave work until the first contractions. However, you need to understand that in this case the expectant mother will suffer from overwork, stress and many other negative aspects. The situation is especially complicated when a woman’s work involves industry.
  • Lack of enzymes. In this case we are talking about chronic pathology. If a young mother’s body does not have the required amount of enzymes, then digestion will be difficult. This may cause some of the food to be eliminated into the colon too quickly, leading to post-meal bloating during pregnancy.

The cause of such problems may also be a reluctance to give up bad habits. If the expectant mother continues to smoke, even in the smallest doses, then this can provoke not only flatulence, but also many other side problems.

In any case, only a qualified specialist can determine exactly what causes bloating during pregnancy. If you do not consult a doctor in a timely manner, this can lead to complications. Let's look at some of them.

Possible complications

It is necessary to clearly understand that any health problems during pregnancy can result in negative consequences, for example, bloating during pregnancy in the second trimester or at a later date can provoke premature birth. Due to a disorder in the correct functioning of internal organs, a woman may begin to suffer from frequent insomnia, migraines, pain in the heart, weakness and lethargy. Any discomfort that the expectant mother experiences has a negative impact on the baby growing inside her.

The fact is that the gases begin to greatly distend the intestines, due to which strong pressure is exerted on the walls of the uterus, this leads to a decrease in tone. In turn, the woman changes her diet and frequency of food intake, and the fetus ceases to receive the necessary microelements and vitamin complexes that it needs for the full development of all internal organs.

Therefore, pain during bloating during pregnancy in the early stages of bearing a baby can be a clear sign that the expectant mother may suffer from a miscarriage. If such problems arise at a later date, this can provoke premature contractions and childbirth.

You should be extremely attentive to your health. If bloating becomes a constant problem during pregnancy, you should definitely consult a doctor to rule out possible complications.

How to avoid

To avoid this problem, you need to follow a few tips. First of all, this concerns nutrition. Food must not only be chewed thoroughly, but also ensure that the portions are not too large, so as not to put additional stress on the stomach and digestive system.

If we talk about clothes, then you should forget about anything tight. A pregnant woman's wardrobe must have loose trousers and sweaters that will not put too much pressure on her stomach. It is also worth giving preference to natural, breathable fabrics.

Bloating can be caused by drinking large amounts of carbonated drinks, coffee and beer. Therefore, you should definitely avoid drinking such drinks, especially alcohol. It is also worth excluding cabbage, legumes, pears, nuts and other laxative products from your diet.

Bloating during pregnancy: what to do to get rid of it

If in the early stages of bearing a baby a woman begins to be bothered not only by severe bloating, but also by pain, then in this case you should not wait and it is better to consult a doctor who will conduct a detailed examination.

As a rule, specialists prescribe special diets and mild medications. If we talk about self-help, then in this case it is recommended to try to start stroking the abdominal area clockwise during moments of bloating. It is recommended to do the procedure for about 15 minutes daily.

In some situations, visiting the pool helps relieve discomfort. However, you should avoid establishments where aggressive preparations containing large amounts of chlorine are used to purify water.

However, it is better to promptly recognize the causes of bloating and treatment in this case may not be required; the use of gentle drugs that cannot harm either the mother’s body or the growing fetus itself will be sufficient.

Treatment

Before prescribing therapeutic measures to combat an unpleasant illness, the specialist conducts a full diagnosis in order to determine whether the woman has any pathologies or other serious disorders in the functioning of the internal organs. In addition, experts do not rule out the development of gastritis, stomach ulcers, pancreatitis, dysbacteriosis, hepatitis and other diseases in which bloating is also observed. Therefore, it is very important to describe in detail to the gynecologist the symptoms of the disease and mention even the most insignificant details.

After diagnosis and examination, if the problems were caused by minor changes in the functioning of internal systems, the doctor prepares a special diet for the expectant mother, which is developed individually. When talking about what you can do to deal with bloating during pregnancy, experts most often recommend giving up sweets, flour, smoked and spicy foods. To establish normal digestion, you need to eat more dried fruits and salads with the addition of vegetable oil. Ryazhenka and other fermented milk products will also be useful.

If bloating during pregnancy begins to appear due to excess progesterone levels, then light exercises can help in this situation. A set of exercises is selected individually, taking into account all the characteristics of the expectant mother’s body.

If the doctor has diagnosed a chronic disease, then in this case he will try to choose the safest drug course of treatment. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate without first consulting a specialist. These manipulations can harm the health of the unborn child.

ethnoscience

If the doctor has nothing against the use of medicinal herbs, then special infusions can be prepared that will solve this unpleasant problem. If we talk about how to get rid of bloating during pregnancy, then cumin helps the symptoms best. To prepare a medicinal decoction, you need to pour two tablespoons of the herb with 2 glasses of hot water, close the container and leave for about two hours. After this, the broth should be squeezed out and given to the pregnant woman 1/3 cup every 30 minutes.

Another useful product is wild carrots. One spoon of crushed seeds of the crop should be poured with 1.5 cups of boiled water and the liquid should be heated in a water bath. After this, the resulting decoction should be drunk in small sips for 1 hour.

Dill seeds also have beneficial properties. In order to get rid of unpleasant sensations, just pour two teaspoons of the herb with 2 cups of boiled water. The finished mixture should sit for at least 30 minutes, after which you can start taking it in the amount of ½ cup every hour.

If, after examination by a doctor, no serious causes of bloating have been diagnosed and treatment does not require medication, then the specialist may recommend simply changing your lifestyle.

Physical activity

Not only while carrying a baby, but at any other period of life, women, like men, are recommended to move around as much as possible. Therefore, you need to develop the habit of being in the fresh air for at least one hour every day. In addition, you should avoid stuffy rooms, public transport and cars. It is better to travel on foot and it is advisable to choose a place where there are many trees.

Also, during courses for pregnant women, you can learn special exercises that will not only help prepare for the upcoming birth, but also relieve flatulence and other unpleasant sensations.

It is very important for a pregnant woman to monitor her breathing. Thanks to special breathing exercises, you can increase the tone of the body and improve the digestive system. You can also take up yoga or even belly dancing. Such exercises help strengthen the abdominal muscles. In addition, yoga and dancing will help improve your mood and avoid stress. However, you can move on to such activities only if the attending physician has nothing against such leisure.

Prevention

If we are talking about events of this type, then in this case a whole range of measures is implied. It includes proper nutrition or diet, exercise, comfortable clothes, giving up bad habits and much more.

Since flatulence can be caused by anything, you should be careful about your health. Accordingly, you should never smoke or drink alcohol.

Finally

Do not treat bloating as an unimportant problem. If such symptoms are observed in the early stages of pregnancy, this may be the first signal that the woman may have a miscarriage. Therefore, if you feel unwell, it is better to consult a doctor. He will conduct safe diagnostic procedures and determine the source of discomfort. However, there is no need to worry ahead of time either. Bloating is completely normal at this stage of life.

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