Causes of gas in pregnancy

When you’re pregnant, signs like missed periods, breast tenderness, fatigue, and nausea may not be surprising to you. However, during pregnancy gas can come as an unpleasant surprise. It's one of the unexpected signs of pregnancy. If you have excessive bloating in addition to morning sickness in early pregnancy, you’re not alone.
Gas is a common symptom in pregnancy, showing up around week 11 and lasting for the better part of the pregnancy. The good thing is that the condition is manageable and will be over sooner than you think.
Your body undergoes many changes throughout pregnancy, including physical and hormonal changes that lead to excess gas. You may also experience gas pain that ranges from slight discomfort to unbearable pain throughout the back, abdomen, and chest. Bloating and cramps in the stomach and intestines may also be present.
Early Pregnancy: In the first trimester, you will notice many drastic hormonal changes as progesterone and estrogen increase in your body. Their work is to thicken the uterus lining to make the environment comfortable for the growing baby. These are some changes caused by hormones:
- Progesterone helps the muscles to relax, including those that support the intestines. As this happens, the digestive system significantly slows down in its functions.
- High estrogen levels cause the body to retain gas and water in significantly higher amounts than usual. The result is that you may feel pain and discomfort in the abdomen.
Late pregnancy: The second and third trimesters are characterized by a shift in the uterus position to accommodate the growing baby. Symptoms such as fatigue and morning sickness reduce in their intensity.
As the uterus enlarges, it compresses the surrounding organs, leading to digestive issues. Constipation and excess gas become more pronounced, leading to uncomfortable gas and bloating.
How long does gas in pregnancy last?
A bloated stomach and constipation may persist into late pregnancy. It gets worse as the uterus expands and pushes back against the intestines. Take comfort your baby will soon arrive.
In such cases, ensure the juices you take don’t contain certain bloating-promoting sugars known as FODMAPs. Examples are grape, cranberry, orange, and pineapple juices. You also must monitor your sugar intake in juices and carbonated drinks to reduce the risk of increased gas.
Exercise can help with gas: physical activity and exercise should become a part of your daily routine. You may not make it to the gym, but you can take a daily walk for at least 30 minutes per session. Exercise will promote emotional and physical fitness while also speeding up digestion and reducing the risk of constipation and heartburn. However, consult with your healthcare provider before starting any fitness regime.
Test your diet: be observant about the foods that trigger gas and bloating, and try removing them from your diet one at a time. Do this until your gas symptoms improve, but ensure you always have a balanced meal. Common gas culprits include broccoli, cabbage, potatoes, fried foods, whole grains, dairy products, beans, and wheat.
Have a fiber-rich diet: interestingly, most of the foods that contribute to gas problems in the short term can help manage the situation. Fiber, for example, helps bring more water to the intestines hence softening the stool and allowing for its smooth passage.
Include 25 to 30 grams of fiber in your meals to help ease the gas. Some fruits like figs, prunes, bananas, and vegetables, and whole grains like flax meal and oats are excellent fiber sources to consider. If you don't have access to these fiber sources, you can opt for fiber supplements. Talk to your doctor about it first to be on the safe side.
Opt for smaller meals: the more food you eat in one sitting, the higher your chances of having gas trapped in the intestines. Instead of large meals per sitting, fuel yourself up on six small meals throughout the day. Add two or three moderate snacks to keep your baby nourished while preventing your digestive system from overloading.
Overall, try to relax and don’t eat as a way of dealing with stress. Stop and take a few deep breaths before you put anything in the mouth. It will help you to be more conscious about your eating habits in pregnancy.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
American College of Gastroenterology: "Belching, Bloating, and Flatulence."
American Journal of Epidemiology: "Frequency of Eating During Pregnancy and Its Effects on Preterm Delivery."
American Pregnancy Association: "Pregnancy Gas: Causes and Prevention."
Better Health: "Pregnancy- signs and symptoms."
British Nutrition Foundation: "Common Concerns During Pregnancy."
Gastroenterology and Hepatology from Bed to Bench: "Bloating in irritable bowel syndrome."
HEALTH STATE: "HEARTBURN AND UPSET STOMACH DURING PREGNANCY."
Kids Health: "Constipation."
Lumen: "Changes to the Mother's Body During Pregnancy."
NHS: "Week-by-week guide to pregnancy."
Nutrients: "High-Fiber Diet during Pregnancy Characterized by More Fruit and Vegetable Consumption."
Obstetrics and Gynaecology: "Functional bowel disorders in pregnancy: effect on quality of life, evaluation and management."
The College of Family Physicians in Canada: "Treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy."
University of Rochester Medical Center: "Keep Cool: Hot-Weather Tips for Pregnant Women."
UPMC HealthBeat: "Chest Pain During Pregnancy: When to Worry."
Top Is Gas Common in Early Pregnancy Related Articles
Are Blood Clots Normal in Early Pregnancy?
Around 15-20% of pregnant women experience bleeding during the first trimester. Light bleeding can be normal, but heavy bleeding or clots can indicate something more serious. Always let your doctor or midwife know if you're experiencing any bleeding.Can You Take a Pregnancy Test When You Have Implantation Bleeding?
Implantation bleeding is light vaginal bleeding that sometimes occurs very early in pregnancy. If you choose to test as soon as you discover spotting, be aware that the earlier you test, the more likely you are to get a false negative.Pregnancy Discomforts: Common Causes
During pregnancy, most women will experience discomforts during the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters. Common causes of discomforts during pregnancy include nausea and vomiting (morning sickness), fatigue, breast swelling and pain, hemorrhoids, stretch marks, mood swings, dizziness, migraines, tooth pain and bleeding gums, and pica.
Common causes of pregnancy discomforts include constipation, heartburn, indigestion, reflux, varicose veins, abdominal pain, problems sleeping, congested or bloody nose, and flu like body aches.Pregnancy Symptoms
What are the early signs and symptoms of pregnancy? Can you know before your missed period? Read about nausea and vomiting (morning sickness), bloating, tender breasts, and more. Explore first trimester symptoms of pregnancy and learn what week pregnancy symptoms start.Am I Pregnant Quiz
What are early pregnancy symptoms? In some women, symptoms range from a missed period to feeling lightheaded. Others may experience typical "morning sickness" and food cravings. Could you be pregnant? Take the quiz!Early Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy
The signs and symptoms of pregnancy differ from woman to woman. All the signs of pregnancy may not be seen in one person. Additionally, the signs may appear in different persons at different times.How Do You Relieve Constipation During Pregnancy?
Learn what medical treatments can help ease constipation during pregnancy and speed up your recovery.How Does the Discharge Look Like in Early Pregnancy?
Vaginal discharge is the fluid coming out of the vagina. All women have some amount of vaginal discharge. It is produced by tiny glands present in the uterus (womb), cervix (the mouth of the uterus), and vagina. What do different vaginal discharge colors mean?How Soon Can You Get Symptoms of Pregnancy?
Early symptoms of pregnancy are usually different for every woman. Some women might experience the first symptoms a week or two after conceiving, whereas others don’t feel anything for months. Many women may tell if they are pregnant within two or three weeks of conceiving, and some women know a lot sooner, even within a few daysPregnancy (Week by Week, Trimesters)
Signs and symptoms of pregnancy vary by stage (trimester). The earliest pregnancy symptom is typically a missed period, but others include breast swelling and tenderness, nausea and sometimes vomiting, fatigue, and bloating. Second trimester symptoms include backache, weight gain, itching, and possible stretch marks. Third trimester symptoms are additional weight gain, heartburn, hemorrhoids, swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face, breast tenderness, and trouble sleeping. Eating a healthy diet, getting a moderate amount of exercise, also are recommended for a healthy pregnancy. Information about the week by week growth of your baby in the womb are provided.Pregnancy Myths and Facts Quiz
Being pregnant is a delicate time for both mother and baby. Take this pregnancy myths and facts quiz to separate the myths and facts about being pregnant, and learn the truth behind healthy pregnancies!Early Pregnancy Symptoms and Signs
Pregnancy symptoms can vary from woman to woman, and not all women experience the same symptoms. When women do experience pregnancy symptoms they may include symptoms include missed menstrual period, mood changes, headaches, lower back pain, fatigue, nausea, breast tenderness, and heartburn. Signs and symptoms in late pregnancy include leg swelling and shortness of breath. Options for relief of pregnancy symptoms include exercise, diet, and other lifestyle changes.What Foods Should I Eat During My First Trimester of Pregnancy?
What to know about diet during the first trimester. Learn more about how to protect and fuel your body and baby during this exciting time.What Does Early Pregnancy Cramping Feel Like?
Many people experience cramping early in their pregnancy. Learn the signs of cramping, what causes it, when to see a doctor, and what you can do to treat it.