Stomach Bubbles in Pregnancy – What is it, Top Causes and How to Prevent

Stomach bubbles are common not only in pregnant women but in all of us. But during pregnancy, stomach bubbles can add to the troubles of a pregnant woman. Gas bubbles in the stomach can cause pain and uneasiness. Moreover, if it is associated with severe diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting then the situation can get serious.

Top Causes of Stomach Bubbles in Pregnancy

There are a few factors that can cause the feeling of bubbles in your stomach during pregnancy. The main causes of stomach bubbles in pregnancy are-

1. Excessive Gas 

The most common reason behind stomach bubbles is the formation of excessive gas in your stomach. During pregnancy, you can crave a variety of food. Some of them, especially junk food, can cause gas production and you may feel bubbles traveling through the intestines.

2. Slow Digestion Due to Hormonal Changes 

The digestive capacity decreases during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. Hormones released during pregnancy tend to relax the muscles of the digestive system. Lack of bowel movement then leads to slow digestion and gas bubbles in the belly. 

3. Food Intolerance or Allergy 

Food intolerance is quite common during pregnancy. Specific food types can cause vomiting, indigestion, and even diarrhea. In such a condition you can feel like gas bubbles are popping in your stomach. 

4. Peristalsis 

The involuntary contraction and relaxation of the digestive muscles is called peristalsis. It creates a wave-like movement that pushes food through the digestive tract. Sometimes you may feel like bubbles forming when your body starts the peristalsis process. During pregnancy, this feeling increases as the space for your digestive tract reduces with the approaching months.  

5. Mild Fetal Movement or Quickening 

Around 16 to 20 months of pregnancy you will feel stomach bubbles. This is the first indication that your baby has started moving inside your belly. It will be confusing to detect whether the stomach bubbles are resulting from gas or quickening. But soon you will learn to distinguish. As you will move ahead in your pregnancy these tiny bubble-like sensations will change into oh-so-strong kicks!! 

During pregnancy gas bubbles occur in the first trimester mainly due to food intolerance caused by rapid hormonal changes. In the second trimester, you may get stomach bubbles when the baby starts moving for the first time. And in the third trimester, slow digestion can cause bubbles in your stomach as the digestive tract gets squeezed by the growing uterus. 

How Are Stomach Bubbles Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of stomach bubbles is quite simple. But during pregnancy, you may sometimes get confused about whether the bubble-like sensation is occurring because of gas or your baby’s movement. Your health care provider can easily diagnose the reason behind the bubbles in your stomach simply by a physical checkup.

During physical examination, your doctor will check for bloating and listen to the sound of your stomach and abdomen with a stethoscope. And if you are in your second trimester and experience a bubble-like sensation without any sign of indigestion then the doctor will confirm the quickening or first movement of your baby.

If stomach bubbles are associated with pain, blood in the stool, and contractions then the doctor will go for medical tests to diagnose the issue. You may have to go for blood tests, stool tests, and ultrasound tests to know what is going wrong.

[Read : Bloating During Pregnancy]

How to Prevent Stomach Bubbles?

Stomach bubbles are quite inevitable during pregnancy. But there are some ways by which you can somewhat prevent stomach bubbles during pregnancy. Here are some tips for you-

• Avoid eating in bulk. Instead, eat smaller portions but eat more frequently.
• Avoid foods that are infamous for creating gas in the stomach such as cabbage, beans, onions, and fizzy carbonated drinks with artificial sweeteners.
• Drink lots of water for easy bowel movement.
• Eat fibrous food to speed up digestion and healthy bowel movement.
• Exercise daily. According to the report published by CDC, a person needs to exercise at least 30 minutes daily. It is also applicable to pregnant women. It could be mild walking or jogging, pregnancy yoga, or anything that suits you. You must move your body to stimulate digestion.
• Wear loose-fitting clothes as tight ones can put pressure on the intestine and result in discomfort and gas formation.

[Read : Fiber Rich Foods During Pregnancy]

What Are the Treatment Options For Stomach Bubbles?

Most of the time, stomach bubbles do not require any treatment. But in case of excessive gas buildup and painful bloating, one will require medicines. Generally, stomach bubbles in pregnant women is treated with antacids. General home remedies are also helpful to cure gas, especially during pregnancy when one wants to escape unnecessary medicines.

Stomach bubbles are harmless and resolve within a few hours. But you need to seek medical attention if stomach bubbles are associated with the following symptoms such as-

• Severe and constant pain in the stomach 
• Fever because of pain
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Prolonged constipation
• Blood in the stool   

So, stomach bubbles in pregnancy are completely normal and curable without medicines in most cases. But if it is accompanied by pain, contractions, constipation, diarrhea, etc. then it will be wise to seek a doctor’s help. Your health is the priority during pregnancy and you should not neglect any alarming signs of it. 

FAQ’s

1. What Are The Home Remedies to Reduce Stomach Bubbles During Pregnancy?

Drinking ginger tea, taking probiotics, eating fennel seeds, etc. can effectively reduce gas-related stomach bubbles. You can gently massage your belly with your index and middle finger to release the gas. There are pregnancy-friendly yoga postures too that can help you for better digestion and to release gas.

2. How Do Stomach Bubbles Go Away?

The gas trapped inside your intestine that causes bubbles will only go out as a fart naturally or when you pass stool. Burping will also release the air inside your digestive tract and make you feel light.

Read Also: Home Remedies For Gas And Bloating During Pregnancy