Does Pregnancy Cause Gas?
What Causes Gas?
Gas is made in two different ways, by either swallowing air or when the bacteria in your digestive system produce gas from the partially digested food. Normally the gas we swallow is released again from our stomach by burping however, some small amounts get passed down to be released through the intestinal tract. Typically flatulence is caused by the gas build up from bacteria in our intestines.
Does Pregnancy Cause Gas?
Everyone experiences gas throughout their lives and some more than others but on average we pass gas about 14 times per day totalling approximately 3 pints of gas. Gas and bloating are commonly experienced before you begin to show as pregnant. In many cases people will experience gas and bloating as a symptom of pregnancy. Many people will start to experience discomfort and wind throughout their pregnancy and you may find you have more similar digestive problems too.
What Happens to the Digestive System During Pregnancy?
As soon as your pregnancy begins the body releases high levels of progesterone. This is a hormone designed to relax and soften up your body muscles and tissues to prepare for the child and the stretch it will put on your body. This hormone affects all body tissues including your gastrointestinal tract. This process slows your digestive system down which in turn leads to burping, bloating and flatulence as well as making you feel a bit miserable in the tummy, sluggish and lethargic.
How does this Cause Wind During Pregnancy?
A slower digestive system means more time for the bacteria inside your intestines to work on the partially digested food within. The more time they have the more fermentation occurs and the result is a build up of gas produced by the bacteria. This will make you feel bloated and cause an increase of flatulence. It can also cause other problems too such as constipation where too much water is absorbed from the waste matter because of the slowed digestive system.
Does the Problem Persist Throughout Pregnancy?
In addition to your tissues becoming softer throughout your pregnancy, later on there will also be other factors that cause gas. Your growing uterus inside you will begin to over crowd and push on organs within you such as your stomach which will make you feel even more bloated especially after eating. It may also be the case that you start to experience symptoms such as heartburn and constipation. It is usually common for a pregnant woman to experience these symptoms throughout pregnancy to some degree.
Can a Change of Diet Help?
There are lots of foods that can cause gas and if you cut out all of them you wouldn’t be eating healthily. However, you can keep a food diary to monitor which foods may be giving you the most problems. Beans, cabbage, sprouts, broccoli and asparagus are all common causes of gas to look out for. Try cutting out a few select foods you suspect and then add one back into your diet to hone in on the problem food for you.
