![Can Gas Pains Hurt During Pregnancy?](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/pregnant-woman-holding-stomach-expecting-pregnancy.jpg?output-quality=75)
Pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus, and pregnancy symptoms may begin as early as a week after implantation.
Gas pain and bloating are common pregnancy symptoms. Hormonal changes that affect the digestive tract can cause the body to produce more gas, which can result in bloating. In addition, having gas during pregnancy can be more painful than when not pregnant due to the growing uterus.
What Symptoms May Accompany Gas Pain During Pregnancy?
Symptoms that may accompany gas pain during pregnancy include:
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Cramping
- Indigestion
- Feeling of pressure
Tell your doctor if you have gas pain during pregnancy and:
- Pain gets worse and does not go away
- Severe nausea and vomiting
- Blood in the stool
- Persistent constipation
- You feel you are having contractions
What Causes Gas During Pregnancy?
Pregnant people often have more gas and bloating than usual for several reasons:
- Progesterone
- In the first trimester, progesterone levels are increased, which causes the body’s muscles, including intestinal muscles, to relax
- Relaxed intestinal muscles slow down digestion, which can produce excess gas and gas pain
- With slowed digestion, food stays in the gastrointestinal tract for longer which results in the creation of more gas
- The relaxed muscles also result in a reduced ability to control the release of gas
- Foods that require more work to break down in the gut
- Beans
- Lentils
- Broccoli
- Asparagus
- Cabbage
- Artichokes
- Fibrous vegetables
- Lack of physical activity
- Body movement aids in digestion, and many people are unable to move as much as they used to before becoming pregnant
- This can result in the buildup of gas, causing gas pain and bloating
How Is Gas Pain During Pregnancy Treated?
Gas pain and bloating during pregnancy can often be relieved with home remedies:
How Do You Prevent Gas Pain During Pregnancy?
To prevent excess gas during pregnancy:
- Eat slowly
- Chew food thoroughly
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
- Keep a food journal to see which foods trigger gas
- Limit or avoid carbonated beverages
- Avoid fried foods
- Don’t use artificial sweeteners
- Don’t use a straw when drinking
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day
- Avoid tight clothing around the waist
- Increase low-impact exercises such as swimming or walking
- Take anti-gas medication approved by your doctor
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