Pregnant women often experience unique experiences, one of which is increased gas. Is it normal for pregnant women to fart more frequently?
During pregnancy, mothers experience various changes, not only in their bodies but also in certain pregnancy-related issues and habits that are often embarrassing and make them reluctant to discuss them. One of these is frequent farting.
Farting more frequently during pregnancy is a common occurrence for pregnant women. But what causes pregnant women to fart more often than usual?
According to the American Pregnancy Association , non-pregnant women typically pass gas or fart about 18 times a day. This is because the body typically produces about 4 liters of gas daily. For some, frequent farting is caused by bloating due to digestive system problems.
Farting is also known as flatulence . While flatulence is most often released through farting, it can also be released through burping.
Here are things that pregnant women need to understand regarding gas and farting problems during pregnancy.
Causes of Frequent Farting During Pregnancy
Frequent farting during pregnancy is caused by gas buildup in the body. This gas buildup occurs whether you’re pregnant or not. However, you may experience more gas buildup during pregnancy.
Here are some of the reasons why pregnant women often fart that mothers need to understand.
Increased Progesterone and Estrogen Hormones
One factor that causes frequent farting during pregnancy is increased levels of the hormone progesterone . Progesterone is a hormone that causes muscles throughout your body to relax.
According to the health website Medical News Today , during the first trimester of pregnancy, the body undergoes drastic hormonal changes. Progesterone and estrogen levels increase significantly to thicken the uterine lining in preparation for the growing fetus.
Progesterone relaxes muscles in the body, including the intestinal muscles. When the intestines relax, the digestive system slows down significantly.
Increased estrogen levels can cause the body to retain water and gas, which can lead to abdominal discomfort and pain.
Gas builds up because intestinal muscles move more slowly.
Another cause of frequent farting is when the intestinal muscles move more slowly, which means digestion also slows down.
The slowing of bowel movements can increase by 30% during pregnancy. This allows gas to build up more easily, creating bloating, burping, and, of course, flatulence, according to What To Expect .
Fetal growth in the womb pressing on the abdominal cavity
Another cause occurs when the pregnant woman’s uterus begins to enlarge, increasing pressure on the uterus. The growing uterus in the abdominal cavity can slow digestion, leading to increased gas production.
According to Medical News Today , during the second and third trimesters, symptoms such as morning sickness and fatigue fade, and the uterus shifts position to accommodate the growing fetus.
As a pregnant woman’s uterus enlarges, it puts pressure on surrounding organs. This can lead to digestive issues. Common digestive issues include constipation and excess gas. The growing fetus can also cause uncomfortable bloating and gas.
This pressure can also slow down digestion which allows gas to form.
Unfortunately, progesterone-induced muscle relaxation makes it more difficult to control the release of gas, which causes pregnant women to fart frequently, as reported on the What To Expect website .
Prenatal Supplements Rich in Iron
Food can also be a cause of frequent gas in pregnant women. Food can also potentially cause gas.
Healthline reports that prenatal vitamins, especially those containing iron, can cause constipation. If you’re constipated, you’re likely experiencing excessive gas.
How to Overcome Frequent Farting During Pregnancy
This uncomfortable and sometimes painful gas can get worse as your pregnancy progresses.
Here are some ways that pregnant women can do if they want to reduce discomfort, so that farting during pregnancy can be somewhat overcome.
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Fulfilling the Body’s Fluid Needs
One way to cope with frequent gas during pregnancy is to drink plenty of fluids. Maintaining adequate fluid intake is crucial.
Fluids can be obtained by drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water a day, around 2.3 liters, eating fruit that contains a lot of water, or by making juice or smoothies from fruits that contain a lot of water.
Frequent farting during pregnancy can be managed through physical activity and exercise. Activity should be part of your daily routine.
If you can’t go to the gym, you can walk every day. Aim for at least 30 minutes of walking or exercise.
Exercise can not only help you stay physically and emotionally fit, but it can also help prevent constipation and speed up digestion.
Talk to your doctor, midwife, or healthcare provider who regularly checks your pregnancy about your plans to increase activity and exercise.
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Improving the Diet of Pregnant Women
Another way to reduce frequent farting is to cut back on foods that can potentially produce gas. Healthline reports that pregnant women can reduce their consumption of cabbage, broccoli, wheat, and potatoes, as these foods are common causes of gas that can lead to frequent farting.
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Fulfilling the Body’s Fiber Needs
Another way to overcome frequent farting is to eat foods that contain a lot of fiber.
Healthline recommends incorporating 25 to 30 grams of high – fiber foods into your daily diet to help relieve gas problems.
Many fruits, such as prunes, figs, and bananas, and vegetables and whole grains are good sources of fiber.
Another way to reduce gas is to take fiber supplements. Don’t forget to consult your obstetrician about these additional supplements.
Fiber supplements are an easy alternative, but it is necessary to consult whether fiber supplements are necessary and allowed during pregnancy.
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Trying to Get a Stool Softener
Stool softeners or laxatives can also be used as an alternative to relieve frequent farting in pregnant women, but must still be with the advice and prescription of a doctor.
However, it is important to emphasize that it is important to avoid stimulant laxatives , as these types of drugs can cause complications during pregnancy.
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Keep Calm and Try to Relax
Regardless of the issue, it is important to try to stay calm, take a deep breath and relax during your pregnancy.
Excessive anxiety and stress can cause an increase in the amount of air entering the body, which can increase upper abdominal gas, bloating, and belching, as reported on the Healthline website .
Don’t panic, Mom. If you’re forced to pass gas and find yourself in a slightly embarrassing situation, try to laugh it off .
How to Prevent Gas Buildup During Pregnancy
Frequent farting during pregnancy is caused by gas buildup in the stomach.
It’s impossible to prevent gas buildup during pregnancy. However, there are steps you can take to prevent excessive gas in your body.
Certain foods can trigger gas during pregnancy. Therefore, we must pay close attention to what we eat during pregnancy. Foods that often cause gas include beans, peas, and grains. Unfortunately, other healthy foods can also cause gas, including broccoli, asparagus, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts.
Besides reducing the consumption of foods that can trigger gas buildup in the body, here are other ways you can take to prevent excess gas that causes nausea and excessive farting.
- Avoid or reduce carbohydrate (high sugar) drinks
- Avoid fried foods
- Drink from a glass without using a straw
- Eat small meals but often
- Exercise, which will help smooth digestion
- Avoid wearing clothes that are tight around the waist.
- Limit or avoid consumption of artificial sweeteners
- Drink plenty of water, which will help prevent constipation.
- Eat slowly and chew until it is completely crushed
Chewing your food thoroughly is one of the best ways to reduce gas. Most gas is caused by bacteria in the large intestine breaking down food that hasn’t been thoroughly chewed by enzymes in the stomach.
When Should You See a Doctor?
While excess gas can cause uncomfortable symptoms, it’s rarely a sign of danger. Excess gas can also cause abdominal pain, which is a common symptom of other medical conditions.
During pregnancy, your body undergoes many changes, including physical and hormonal changes that can lead to excess gas.
Excess gas can cause pain ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain throughout the abdomen, back, and chest, and this gas pain can even cause bloating and stomach or intestinal cramps.
As reported on the Medical News Today page , you can consult your obstetrician about this problem if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- pain or burning sensation when urinating
- vaginal bleeding or spotting
- unusual vaginal discharge
- fever
- nausea or vomiting
If you’re worried about frequent gas during pregnancy, even if you experience abdominal pain, you can contact or visit a doctor or midwife for a consultation. Changing your diet and eating habits can reduce excess gas.
In general, gas buildup that causes frequent burping and farting in pregnant women doesn’t affect the health of the fetus. However, this gas problem may affect your comfort.
So, those are the things you need to understand about frequent farting during pregnancy. We hope this is helpful, Mom.
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