Does Pregnancy Cause Gas?

Gas can be a very uncomfortable problem to experience. Every human passes gas about 14 to 23 times a day on average, according to BabyCenter.com. Once you become pregnant, you may notice that how often you are passing gas significantly more often. Is gas a sign of pregnancy?

Gas Increases During Pregnancy

Most women will experience an increases in gas during pregnancy. For some women, the problem may be somewhat mild. For others, the problem may be much more severe and can be extremely uncomfortable. What many women are unaware of is why they tend to be gassier after they have conceived.

The progesterone hormone, which increases during pregnancy, is responsible for gassiness. Progesterone slows down digestion, which causes an increase in gas, according to WebMD. For some women, the problem tends to get worse later in pregnancy because the uterus grows, which prevents gas from easily being released from the abdominal cavity.

During pregnancy, women will generally experience an increase in burping, constipation, flatulence, and bloating. Heartburn is another sign of early pregnancy that some women will suffer from, which is also related to decreased digestion.

How to Reduce Gas During Pregnancy

Diet is generally one of the best ways to reduce gassiness during pregnancy. While there are certain foods which are thought to increase the problem in some individual, everyone's body is different. It is best to keep a food journal to help determine which foods trigger your gas during pregnancy.

Some foods that you may want to avoid eating too frequently if you experience gas while you are pregnant include milk, soy, beans, cauliflower, beans, broccoli, onions, apples, wheat, and honey. Certain people may notice that fibrous foods, such as whole grains, and starchy foods, like potatoes, can cause them to experience gas. Greasy foods may also cause the problem.

Note that how much you eat and how often you eat may also determine how gassy you are during pregnancy. Women who notice severe problems due to digestion are generally recommended to eat tiny meals several times a day, rather than consuming a few large meals.

Overall, it is important to note that gas can be one of the earliest signs of pregnancy for some women. However, it is likely that you will notice other pregnancy symptoms, such as a missed menstrual period or breast tenderness, before you connect the link between gas and conception. Before using any type of medications in attempt to treat gas, it is important to talk to your doctor.

Disclaimer: The information provided by this article is for educational purposes only. If you are concerned about your health, it is important to seek the attention of a licensed healthcare professional.

Sources:

BabyCenter, "Gas and Bloating During Pregnancy."

WebMD, "6 Embarrassing Pregnancy Symptoms."