Bloating in pregnant women. Gas formation during pregnancy. What foods can cause flatulence?

An “interesting position” or simply pregnancy is a truly wonderful state that brings a lot of positive aspects. But besides them, unpleasant sensations in the form of bloating during pregnancy may also occur. This problem can be eliminated (or discomfort reduced) if you follow some simple rules.

Causes of bloating during pregnancy

Discomfort in the intestines often occurs in expectant mothers. Bloating during pregnancy is just the tip of the iceberg. Additional troubles that can haunt a woman are:

belching;
heaviness in the stomach;
constipation;
feeling of overeating;
heartburn;
spasms and other “delights” of digestive disorders.

Bloating is the fermentation of food that causes bubbles to form. They represent air, which, when accumulated in large quantities, leads to pressure on the intestinal walls. This results in severe gas formation and bloating during pregnancy.

The reasons, in part, are hormonal changes in the body that pregnancy causes. They entail the following consequences:

Lack of pancreatic enzymes. She cannot cope with digesting food, which becomes more abundant, since hormonal changes in a pregnant woman increase appetite. If you do not control your own nutrition, the pancreas will not cope with the volume of incoming food and undesirable symptoms will arise in the form of bloating, frequent belching, and heartburn of varying intensity.
Increased progesterone. There is a jump in levels both in the early stages of pregnancy and in the later stages. This female hormone reduces the overall muscle tone of almost all internal organs. This leads to stagnation of food in the organs involved in digestion, which results in gas formation. Additional unpleasant sensations include constipation, abdominal pain, belching, bloating, and accumulation of gases in the rectum. An increase in progesterone also causes toxicosis, which can last about a month and a half.
Exacerbation of chronic diseases. Existing digestive problems, which may not have bothered you for a long time, appear during pregnancy. This could be: gastritis and pancreatitis (of different stages of development), cholecystitis, peptic ulcer (all forms) and others.
Growing uterus. As the fetus grows inside the womb, the uterus grows throughout the 9 months of pregnancy. Its volume puts pressure on the intestines (observed in later stages), which prevents the normal movement of food through it.
Medicines. To avoid anemia, obstetricians-gynecologists observing a pregnant woman before birth prescribe medications with a high iron content. This method of increasing hemoglobin in the blood entails additional gas formation.

The first week of pregnancy can present the expectant mother with many surprises, including gas in the abdomen (bloating) and pain in the intestines. Throughout the rest of the period, this is also observed, and the causes of occurrence may change or combine.

Why is bloating dangerous during pregnancy?

The formation of gases in the intestines is a signal that the food consumed by the expectant mother is not fully digested. The prenatal period of the baby requires high-quality nutrition from the mother so that the baby can develop. Insufficient trace elements and nutrients can affect (negatively) the baby’s weight at birth, subsequent growth and adaptation to the outside world.

In addition, the air in the intestines puts pressure on the uterus. Counter pressure is created on it and the tone of the uterus is formed, which seriously affects the gestation of the fetus as a whole. With frequent tone, a miscarriage may occur.

The “pregnant” period requires the expectant mother to be careful in everything that concerns the baby. This condition, when the stomach is seething and gases are coming out, is extremely undesirable.

Products that cause gas in pregnant women

It is not so easy to distinguish a dangerous product from a safe one. Especially if the list is so long that only a small part of what you can eat remains. Here is a list of foods that can cause gas:

Gestation involves the consumption of almost all foods that can be beneficial for the health of both mother and baby. Those that cause gas formation can be eaten, but in limited quantities. A strict diet when bearing a child is not needed if there are no existing problems with the gastrointestinal tract, and it was not prescribed by a gastroenterologist.

The causes of intestinal flatulence in women can be different and, as a rule, appear with the onset of pregnancy and disappear after childbirth.

How to remove gases from the intestines?

If diarrhea does occur to the expectant mother, it can be eliminated. Remove gases from the body using folk remedies and conventional medications.

There are cautions regarding the use of drugs at different stages of pregnancy.

First trimester

It is characterized by the fact that along its length all internal organs are formed, the neural tube of the fetus and the cardiovascular system develop. Therefore, it is extremely undesirable to use any medications at this stage. Here folk remedies will come to the rescue, eliminating colic even in newborns.

This is dill water (1 teaspoon of dill seeds (or dried stems) is poured with a glass of boiling water, can be consumed after natural cooling). Can be replaced with fennel. To relieve discomfort when gas passes, the expectant mother should drink half a glass of this water 3 times a day, half an hour after meals. Since the 1st trimester is dangerous due to miscarriage, it is not recommended to use unfamiliar herbs for infusion, and it is also not advisable to take any medicine.

Second trimester

Starting from the 2nd semester (14 weeks of gestation), it is possible to use drugs that do not penetrate the placenta. A safe remedy for such a period is Smecta. The sorbing properties of the drug provide treatment for bloating during pregnancy, destroying “bad” gas-forming bacteria. An additional solution may be Espumisan, Pepsan-r. If you are bloated, you should take medications after eating food.

Third trimester

There comes a period when the fetus is almost formed and is actively growing. In the 3rd trimester, the use of other drugs (as prescribed by a doctor) is allowed, which can reduce the feeling of bloating and dyspeptic syndrome. In the third trimester, a pregnant woman often experiences heartburn, which is associated with upward pressure in the stomach. During acute conditions, it is recommended not to endure discomfort, but to get rid of it with various medications.

It is recommended to take medications to eliminate the causes if bloating is observed during an existing pregnancy only after consultation with your gynecologist and gastroenterologist.

What helps with bloating during pregnancy?

There is no specific “magic” pill that will eliminate all the unpleasant sensations from gas formation. There are recommendations that, if followed, can alleviate the unpleasant condition.

For a pregnant woman, the belly is the most precious miracle that should be protected and not endangered. If you have any digestive problems that cannot be eliminated by simple methods (diet, dill water), you should consult a doctor.

When childbirth takes place, such a problem as bloating during pregnancy will go away on its own. She can stay only if her mother had her before the onset of the “interesting situation.”

The problem of increased gas formation in the intestines affects about 75% of all pregnant women. The sensitivity of the problem reduces the percentage of visits to the doctor on this issue. You can get rid of the symptoms of flatulence quite easily; it is enough to know the causes and measures to prevent this condition.

Symptoms of increased gas formation in the intestines are:

abdominal pain, sometimes sharp and paroxysmal;
feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen;
belching;
hiccups;
heaviness in the stomach;
feeling of discomfort.

All these signs in a pregnant woman can appear already in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Why does severe gas formation occur during pregnancy (flatulence)?

Possible complications of bloating in pregnant women:

Increased uterine tone. A distended intestine will put unwanted pressure on the uterus, which can lead to increased tone. A contracted uterus can lead to miscarriage or premature birth.
Hypotrophy (lack of weight) of the fetus. Poor well-being of a pregnant woman leads to irregular eating, especially if food intake causes increased gas formation. Accordingly, the fetus does not receive enough necessary nutrients and vitamins and does not gain weight well, which can lead to the birth of a premature baby.

Increased gas formation is a physiological norm during pregnancy. But there are times when this symptom indicates serious illnesses that require treatment. Therefore, you should not hide such complaints from your doctor.

What to do if you have bloating during pregnancy?

Diet. Meals should be taken in small portions, every 2 to 3 hours.
Diet. A pregnant woman's diet must include a sufficient amount of vegetable fiber (steamed or stewed vegetables, but not raw), wholemeal bread, cereal porridge, and kefir.
Regular bowel movements. Constipation is a common cause of flatulence in pregnant women. Therefore, regular bowel movements will relieve a woman of excess gases.
Drink plenty of fluids. These must be non-carbonated drinks. The daily volume of fluid should be 50 ml/kg of body weight of a pregnant woman.
Physical activity of a woman. Exercises that improve gastrointestinal motility are useful. Before undertaking such exercises, you should consult your doctor. Sometimes comorbidities can prevent you from doing some exercises. A good option for pregnant women is swimming or aquafitness.
Treatment of diseases of the digestive system. For dysbiosis, the doctor will prescribe probiotics. For pancreatitis - enzyme preparations. For irritable bowel syndrome - therapeutic cleansing enemas.
Herbal remedies based on fennel, dill, caraway or peppermint. A good complex drug from this group is Iberogast.
Adsorbents (such as activated carbon) and simethicone preparations or antifoam agents (Espumizan) are rarely used and only in case of severe abdominal pain caused by bloating.

The formation of gases in the intestines is a normal physiological process. It has been proven that they are released on average 20-40 times per day! And a pregnant woman has even more, but more often for many reasons, they accumulate and cause intestinal bloating.

Let's try to understand the problem of bloating during pregnancy, which sometimes causes serious discomfort, provokes abdominal pain, and the passage of gas. Why does this happen during pregnancy and how can it be avoided!?

Flatulence (bloating) appears as a result of increased gas formation in the intestines, when the body experiences a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, rumbling, and even belching and gases. The gas enters the stomach and then into the intestines when air is swallowed. On the other hand, intestinal bacteria also produce gases when digesting food.

They leave the body in the form of belching, and from the other end they descend through the large intestine and rectum - they come out. The occurrence of bloating is facilitated by undigested food (for some reason) entering the large intestine, where it is broken down by bacteria that release a lot of carbon dioxide. Especially when these are some carbohydrates and fats, which will be discussed below.

Causes of bloating during pregnancy

The most important thing to remember is that there are two of you, therefore the responsibility for the state of health is double, and the expectant mother must understand that bloating can accompany various serious diseases and if this condition is caused by poisoning, stomach disease (such as an ulcer), appendicitis, intestinal obstruction, then you must definitely seek help from a qualified specialist, since only he can make an accurate diagnosis!

So, the most important reason for flatulence is influence of progesterone on the body of a pregnant woman. On the one hand, it promotes pregnancy by relaxing the smooth muscles of the uterus - no tone - no contractions, but on the other hand, the intestines also consist of smooth muscle fibers, so they also relax, hence the bloating - gases are not held by the relaxed walls of the intestines and distend it.

And it is in the early stages, usually up to 16 weeks, when progesterone is still produced by the corpus luteum of the ovaries, that the clinical picture is clearly expressed! Later, as the baby and the uterus grow, the intestines are compressed by the pregnant uterus, and we may also experience constipation.

Another cause of bloating in pregnant women is poor nutrition , especially if before pregnancy there were problems with the gastrointestinal tract (peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, hepatitis, gastritis, etc.).

One of the reasons may be congenital enzymatic deficiency, when, due to a lack of the necessary active enzymes, insufficiently digested food enters the large intestine in this form and, where it should already be completely broken down, begins to ferment. Fermentation processes are always accompanied by the formation of gases, hence again the problem - flatulence.

The champions in the production of excess gas are: legumes - beans, peas, beans; cabbage, sorrel, spinach, apples (sweet varieties), raisins, raspberries, pears, gooseberries, kvass, dates, black bread, sparkling water, pickled vegetables, fatty and fried foods.

We should also pay attention to artificial additives; some of them, such as sorbitol and mannitol, contained in chewing gum, candies, and drinks, can also cause bloating. Therefore, these vegetables should be boiled, and decoctions and compotes should be made from fruits.

Prolonged stress contributes to the release of hormones, which lead to frequent spasms of the smooth muscles of the intestine, and further to constipation and accumulation of gases, causing anxiety in a pregnant woman.

Also, the cause of bloating during pregnancy can be a violation of the microflora, which is inextricably linked with the pathology of the intestinal microflora (dysbacteriosis). In the case where the expectant mother experienced bloating even before pregnancy, the cause should be traced to poor nutrition and chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Symptoms of flatulence during pregnancy:

Heaviness and distension in the abdomen, release of gases (followed by a decrease in bloating).
Decreased appetite, heartburn
Constipation, possibly loose stools
Nausea, bad breath
Sleep disturbances, tearfulness, irritability, general weakness
Abdominal pain of a cramping nature, especially if it is one-sided in combination with diarrhea, you should immediately consult a doctor!

How to avoid bloating during pregnancy?

Diet and diet. It is unacceptable to consume the above-described products during pregnancy, and if consumed, then only, I repeat, in boiled form. Food intake should be in small portions and often, up to 5-6 times a day, chewing thoroughly.

It is necessary to satisfy your hunger with food, and not overeat! If you eat food less frequently and in large quantities, it will not have time to be digested and will enter the intestines in large portions, thereby contributing to the formation of gases and constipation.

Limit your consumption of foods containing artificial additives and colors, soda and coffee.

Adding fermented milk products to the diet (kefir, fermented baked milk and especially cottage cheese, as a source of calcium necessary for the normal development of the baby and the processes occurring in the woman’s muscle fibers) to prevent dysbiosis.

You should eat while sitting at the table, so as not to squeeze the intestines, which are already compressed by the pregnant uterus. Under no circumstances should you do this while walking or in a quiet environment, to avoid swallowing air into your stomach.

Wear comfortable, loose clothing made from natural fabrics, and if necessary, a maternity bandage.

Movement is life! For expectant mothers – doubly so! Long walks in the fresh air or yoga classes, swimming in the pool are perfect; all this helps to normalize and activate intestinal tone.

If you are still smoking, be sure to quit! I’ll tell you a case from my practice, an expectant mother asked for help with complaints of severe bloating, when questioned, there were no factors contributing to the formation of gases, the woman was examined - the reason was not found!

And at the end of the working day I saw her on the doorstep with a cigarette, all problems were solved by quitting smoking, since nicotine increases intestinal motility and air is swallowed, which does not have time to pass through the entire intestine and accumulates, as a result we get bloating.

And yet, if bloating during pregnancy could not be avoided, it will help:
First of all, consult with an experienced specialist who, having understood the problem, can recommend you:

Light massage of the abdominal area, lying on your left side. Massage stroking movements are carried out in a circle (clockwise), from the navel and in a spiral to the left iliac region (the connection of the left leg with the stomach), for 10 minutes.
Tea from a decoction of chamomile or dill herb (sold in a pharmacy and in the absence of contraindications).
And the drugs of choice are espumizan, which is approved during pregnancy and does not have a harmful effect on the baby. The drug is a defoamer and forms bubbles in the intestinal lumen, which burst and turn into larger ones, which significantly improves the movement of gases through the intestines to the outside.
Pepsan can help with heartburn, which also helps reduce the formation of gases in the intestines.
In case of constipation, pregnant women can use lactuvite; it also promotes the growth of its own beneficial intestinal microflora.

And most importantly, do not forget that bloating during pregnancy is not a diagnosis, but a symptom of some process in the body (pathological or functional), this is a temporary phenomenon that you should pay attention to together with your doctor! Don't self-medicate! Your health is in your hands, take care of it!

Over the entire period of 9 months of gestation, a woman feels various changes in her body due to changes in hormonal levels. Gas is not uncommon in pregnant women, when digestion slows down, a feeling of fullness occurs, pain in the lower abdomen and belching appear.

Causes of gas formation during pregnancy

Increased gas formation during pregnancy is caused by the accumulation of gases in the intestines. A concomitant factor is a heavy feeling and fullness in the abdominal area. In this case, the pregnant woman may feel a kind of colic, minor pain due to the movement of gaseous substances. It is not uncommon for flatulence to be accompanied by belching or rumbling from the intestines.

It is extremely rare that gas in pregnant women is accompanied by indigestion or, conversely, constipation. Also, flatulence, if the symptoms are due to pregnancy, is not a constant phenomenon. Signs appear with some frequency depending on the presence of provoking factors.

During pregnancy, gases occur primarily due to the active production of progesterone, which reduces the contraction of the uterine cavity, and at the same time, gastrointestinal motility decreases. As a result, the movement of food through the intestines slows down, which causes fermentation and the accumulation of gases.

There are other causes of flatulence during pregnancy:

decreased production of pancreatic enzymes in the early stages;
enlargement of the uterus in later stages puts pressure on the digestive organs;
the presence and exacerbation of chronic diseases associated with the gastrointestinal tract;
lack of movement or sedentary professional activity;
poor nutrition during pregnancy;
drug therapy with the prescription of drugs that cause bloating.

If you experience gas during pregnancy in the second or third trimester, then most often this indicates physiological factors. At this stage, flatulence can also be caused by tight clothing, various stresses or dehydration.

During pregnancy, symptoms appear with renewed vigor if, before the delay, increased gas formation was observed due to hormonal surges. Moreover, already in the first trimester, a successful conception can be suspected based on the presence of gases in a pregnant woman.

How to get rid of gas during pregnancy?

Already in the second trimester, gas formation increases significantly due to the increased load on the female body, which is considered a normal physiological manifestation. It is not possible to completely get rid of gas formation during pregnancy, but there are ways to reduce the factors that provoke bloating.

Treatment of flatulence in the first three months should be accompanied by consultation with a doctor, since during this period, as a result of independent and unprofessional actions, harm can be caused to an immature fetus.

massage with stroking the abdomen in a clockwise direction;
moderate physical exercise is encouraged (yoga, fitness, swimming);
Long daily walks in parks with plenty of green spaces will saturate the body with oxygen.

Such simple actions help in cases even if severe gas formation is observed. In some situations, when a woman has constipation, the opposite situation may occur, with complaints that gases cannot be passed out during pregnancy. With this diagnosis, doctors always advise adhering to a special diet that will help normalize gas discharge.

Products that increase gas formation in the intestines during pregnancy:

cabbage;
radish;
apple and grape juice;
milk;
carbonated drinks;
bean dishes;
eggs;
yeast baked goods.

Additionally, you should avoid dishes prepared using the hot method, as well as canned and spicy foods. Any sweet baked goods provoke gas formation during pregnancy, so these dishes should be excluded.

The diet should consist of fermented milk products, including cottage cheese; a variety of salads seasoned with vegetable oil and dried fruits are recommended. In this case, the daily diet should be divided into 4-5 doses in order to reduce the load on the digestive tract.

If gases do not pass away, then you can use traditional methods, which include decoctions of dill, parsley, mint or fennel. You should also remember to drink fluids to avoid dehydration.

Increased formation of gases in the intestines (flatulence) is a serious problem that can significantly disrupt the usual course of life. During pregnancy, this condition occurs mainly in the later stages, but excess gas formation is possible in the first trimester. This symptom is not dangerous for the development of the fetus, although it indicates problems in the digestive tract. In rare cases, excessive discharge of gases indicates a serious disorder that threatens the course of pregnancy.

Physiological causes of increased gas formation

From the first weeks of pregnancy, increased production of progesterone begins in the body of the expectant mother. The main task of this hormone is to reduce the tone of the uterus and prevent fetal rejection. The influence of progesterone extends not only to the pelvic organs. Affects the hormone and other structures, including the intestines. Muscle tone decreases, which leads to its relaxation. The passage of food through the intestines slows down, it stagnates in the lumen of the colon. Against this background, flatulence develops as a result of the natural influence of progesterone.

Almost all pregnant women suffer from excessive gas production. It is rare that any expectant mother manages to avoid the appearance of unpleasant symptoms. This condition is not dangerous for the child, but causes considerable discomfort to the woman. As the fetus grows, the symptoms increase, and the condition of the expectant mother worsens. All unpleasant manifestations go away on their own after childbirth. In most cases, no special treatment is required.

In the second half of pregnancy, flatulence is associated not only with the influence of progesterone, but also with other factors:

decreased production of pancreatic enzymes and impaired digestion of food;
increased putrefactive processes in the intestines;
pressure of the growing uterus on the intestinal loops and slowing down their activity.

This explains the fact that usually increased gas production is noticed by a woman after 16-20 weeks. In the early stages, such symptoms occur less frequently and are not so pronounced.

Bloating and gas formation also appear when there is an error in diet. Sweets, baked goods, some fruits, vegetables and other foods provoke flatulence. Gas formation is observed when drinking strong tea and coffee, kvass, beer and other alcoholic beverages. The condition improves after normalization of nutrition.

When looking for the causes of excess gas, it is important to consider some points:

A pregnant woman's addiction to unusual foods, sudden changes in diet and overeating lead to a slowdown in the movement of food through the intestines, increased putrefactive processes and the appearance of gases.
A sedentary lifestyle, especially in the second half of gestation, interferes with the normal functioning of the digestive tract, leading to constipation and flatulence.
During pregnancy, many women suffer from edema, and fluid restriction is often practiced to eliminate it. This tactic does not allow one to cope with edematous syndrome, but it leads to intestinal obstruction and increased gas formation.

If unpleasant symptoms persist after the birth of the baby, you should consult a doctor. In some cases, increased gas formation indicates diseases of the digestive tract.

Pathological causes of gas formation in the intestines

It is impossible to consider all diseases accompanied by gas formation, but it is important to know the symptoms of the most common conditions. In most cases, flatulence and bloating are not the main signs of pathology, but occur against the background of other characteristic manifestations.

Flatulence in pregnant women can also be caused by neurosis or appear after stress.

The formation of gases often occurs while taking various medications. During pregnancy, special attention should be paid to iron supplements for anemia - they are the ones that most often cause the problem.

Clinical picture

Gas formation in the intestines does not occur in isolation. This condition is almost always accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms:

bloating;
heaviness in the epigastric region;
stabbing pain around the navel, lower abdomen and in its lateral parts;
heartburn;
nausea;
belching air;
bitter taste in the mouth;
decreased appetite;
diarrhea or constipation;
sleep disturbance.

As the fetus grows, the symptoms only intensify. In the later stages, cramping pain may appear caused by the accumulation of gases in the intestines. The provoking factor of flatulence is a violation of the diet, low physical activity or stress.

Treatment of flatulence

During pregnancy, the following methods are used:

Diet

Normalizing your diet is the first thing to do when gases form. Following a diet helps improve the condition and sometimes allows you to do without drug intervention.

General principles:

frequent split meals;
reducing the volume of portions;
chewing food thoroughly;
prevention of hunger – timely snacks;
adherence to a meal schedule;
drinking enough fluid (1.5-2 liters per day).

Products that increase gas formation are excluded from the diet:

sweets;
baked goods;
bread made from premium flour;
vegetables (cabbage);
fruits (apples, grapes);
legumes (beans, peas);
dairy products;
semolina;
eggs;
soups with strong meat and fish broths;
fatty meats and fish;
prepared sausages, smoked meats, semi-finished products, canned food;
sauces: mayonnaise, ketchup;
spicy seasonings;
drinks (black tea, coffee, kvass, beer).

The daily menu may contain the following products:

boiled low-fat meats and fish;
soups made from vegetables and secondary meat broth;
wholemeal bread;
unhealthy baked goods;
porridge (buckwheat, rice, oatmeal, wheat);
dairy products;
boiled vegetables and herbs;
fruits and berries in their natural form;
vegetable oils;
drinks (weak tea, compote, jelly, fruit juice).

Physical exercise

yoga for pregnant women;
Pilates without stress on the abdominal muscles;
swimming;
water aerobics for pregnant women;
physiotherapy;
walking.

The training regimen must be agreed with your doctor. For some complications of pregnancy, physical activity is contraindicated.

Drug treatment

To eliminate flatulence, the following means are used:

drugs that reduce the formation of gases in the intestines (including herbal ones);
adsorbents for removing toxins;
enzyme preparations that improve the digestion of food in the intestines;
probiotics to normalize the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract;
laxatives for concomitant constipation.

The selection of medications is carried out by a doctor, taking into account the duration of pregnancy and the severity of the woman’s condition. With the right therapy, flatulence disappears, bloating disappears, and other associated symptoms go away.

Prevention

Balanced diet. It is not recommended to overeat or eat less than 2 hours before bedtime.
Exclusion of gas-forming foods from the diet.
Adequate drinking regime.
Physical activity throughout pregnancy.
Timely treatment of diseases of the digestive tract.
Limiting stress.
A full night's sleep, rest during the day.

The appearance of gases is not a problem that should be kept silent about. If you let the situation take its course, the woman’s condition will only worsen. It is important to eliminate provoking factors in a timely manner to avoid the development of complications. When the first signs of flatulence appear, you should consult a doctor - gynecologist or therapist.