If you aren’t familiar with bloating already, it is a condition where your digestive tract can feel full or distended with gas and pressure. During pregnancy, bloating will usually affect the abdominal area. It is one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy and generally affects women in the first trimester.
What causes it?
Pesky progesterone, at it again!
Progesterone rises during the first trimester and slows your entire digestive system. This slowdown can cause excess gas to build up in your abdominal area. It is worsened by frequent constipation, another common experience.
Later in pregnancy, the weight of your growing uterus and baby can make it harder for gas to travel easily through your digestive tract, and this can lead to new episodes of bloating or painful gas.
Tips for dealing with gas
Try to keep your digestive system running as efficiently as possible by eating lots of fiber and drinking plenty of water. If your current diet is low on fiber, slowly adding fruits, vegetables and whole grains can increase your daily fiber intake and improve how well your intestines are moving. This slow increase in fiber intake combined with plenty of water often helps people feel less bloated over time.
Another win? Moving your body to ease that gas along. Walking, stretching and other activities you enjoy can all help your body process gas and reduce your feelings of bloating.
Chewing sugar-free gum may also help you pass that gas and get more comfortable!
Although some people never find a food-related cause of bloating, others know that when they drink soda, eat fried foods or don’t get enough water – bloating is inevitable. Keep an eye on what you’re enjoying lately, and see if any common triggers might make your bloating worse.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team
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Sources
- Sir John Dewhurst. Dewhurst’s Textbook of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 8th ed. Keith Edmonds. John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2012. Print.
- Linda McCart. “Natural Progesterone & Bloating.” Livestrong. Livestrong, 8/16/2013. Web.
