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The beautiful experience of being pregnant is associated with some tough times as well. Feeling bloated or gassy during pregnancy is one such situation. Bloating is a condition characterized by presence of too much gas in digestive tract and makes you feel uncomfortable and restless. But no, pregnancy is not the only time you pass gas – you’d be surprised, and perhaps relived, that an average person passes gas about 14-22 times every day. Pregnancy just happens to multiply the number of times you pass gas(fart). And if it isn’t flatulence, gas would exit through belching or burping.
Are you wondering what makes you produce so much of gas now? From hormones to meals and foods, when pregnant, you could feel bloated and gassy owing to the combination of the factors mentioned below:
The major risk factors of gas, flatulence and belching are constipation and indigestion, along with some degree of heartburn.
In later months of pregnancy, the enlarging uterus exerts pressure on the digestive system and retards the process of digestion. This is the major cause of bloating in second and third trimester.
As a matter of fact, you can be sure of a pregnancy only if you have tested positive for it. But because gas and bloating coupled with constipation in early pregnancy is quite common, hence it can also be regarded as a pregnancy symptom. However, it may be said here that a normal woman too passes gas and may experience bloating any time – pregnant or not pregnant.
When one swallows air, or when the food is incompletely digested by enzymes in the stomach and the small intestine, gas and flatulence may be causes. Most of the gas in the digestive tract is a result of swallowing air, though gas is also produced when bacteria in the large intestine break down the incompletely digested food. Certain carbohydrates lead to slower digestion and cause gassy and bloating feeling. Some fats can also slow digestion and thus contribute somewhat to a gassy you.
Here are some time proven effective home remedies that can mitigate gastric pain and burping without any side effects:
You need to have a balanced, nutritious diet during pregnancy, but you also should keep a tab on what and how much you are eating. Having big meals could cause you to feel bloated. Some foods will cause gas in anyone, pregnant or not. Eliminating them all may not be the perfect solution because you do need all the vital minerals and vitamins. However, you could keep a tab and identify certain foods which really make you uncomfortable when eaten in smaller quantities as well. Most of these foods would contain a sugar called raffinose which makes a lot of people gassy.
Following is a list of food items that contain raffinose and cause gas when eaten:
Gluten-rich fiber food is broken in small particles in large intestine. They usually take long to digest.
Wheat, potatoes, corn can also cause gas in some people. Besides this greasy or fried fatty foods also take long time to break down and digest.
Sodas and fruity, fizzy drinks are packed with empty calories and can cause gas. Other foods, chewing gum, alcohol, coffee, dairy products and artificial sweeteners are also known to cause bloating. Please note that drinking alcohol and smoking are not recommended during pregnancy.
Flatulence or bloating does not cause any potential harm to the baby who lies well-protected by the amniotic fluid in the uterus. However, if you feel that gas is more like abdominal cramping, or you spot blood in your stools. Call your doctor immediately.
If you experience any of the following conditions accompanied with indigestion, immediately consult your doctor without a delay:
Keep these healthy tips in mind and enjoy your pregnancy!
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