gas in pregnancy

One of the unavoidable discomforts in pregnancy is gas. This and other digestive disorders occur due to decreased bowel movements and relaxation of the tissues of the digestive system. If you are already beginning to experience this situation, here we explain more about how they occur and what remedies you can use.

Everyone has intestinal gas, from newborn babies to the elderly, everyone experiences more or less frequently stomach gas that can be expelled through the mouth as belching or through the anus as flatulence.

In the case of women, the gases of pregnancy in the first trimester are uncomfortable, accentuating from the 4th month of gestation. However, there are some circumstances that can lead to an increase in these gases, such as excessive consumption of carbonated and sugary drinks, fried foods or some foods such as broccoli and cabbage. 

Causes of gases in pregnancy

To better understand why this happens, we must remember that from the second trimester of pregnancy the baby begins to grow. Therefore, the uterus expands, putting pressure on the stomach, at the same time that it moves upwards. At this stage the levels of progesterone in the blood increase, as well as that of iron supplements, so all this leads to heartburn, gas and constipation. 

Now, gases are produced in the digestive system by the intake of air and when undigested food is broken down in the large intestine by bacteria. 

Undoubtedly, these are a great discomfort for any pregnant woman, because having a lot of gas increases the frequency of belching and flatulence. Rarely, this condition represents some risk for the baby, since it is not common to have gas pain or other alarming symptoms. In any case, if you feel that something is out of the ordinary, do not hesitate to consult your treating doctor.

How to eliminate gases?

It is likely that in your family you have been told about the home remedies for gas that your grandmother used, such as green anise or fennel tea. But, be careful with these infusions for gases, as they should be taken in moderation, since there is no scientific basis to support their use to relieve this digestive problem. Even so, they have been used for generations.

harmless chamomile

Another of the most used and harmless herbs for gas is chamomile, so you can drink chamomile tea to relieve different digestive disorders during pregnancy and it will also help you relax a bit. Likewise, ginger tea is one of the most used infusions for a swollen belly, being also suitable during pregnancy, but without its consumption being excessive. 

It is important to note that under no circumstances can essential oils from these herbs be used during pregnancy, as they are neurotoxic and/or oxytocic and induce uterine movements.

On the other hand, although some herbs cannot be used to drink infusions during pregnancy, such as sage or rosemary, they can be used to flavor foods, since the amounts are smaller and less concentrated than in teas. 

natural remedies for gas

At home you can prepare some easy remedies that can help you expel gas without difficulty. One of them is with dried plums, which due to their high fiber content prevent constipation and, in turn, help reduce gas. 

It is advisable to leave three dried plums macerating in a glass of water overnight, or 12 hours, and take this mixture on an empty stomach. Its effectiveness in improving intestinal transit will be noticed quickly and you will see how you expel gas without pain.

On the other hand, piperita tea is also recommended for these cases. You just have to add 2 g of fresh leaves of this mint in a cup of boiling water and let it steep for 10 minutes. You can drink this tea after meals and also alternate it with chamomile and green anise until symptoms improve. 

Physical activity

Similarly, there are some postures to eliminate gas, such as standing up and stretching your arms, which will alleviate this condition. It is also important to avoid lying in bed after eating. The most advisable thing is to stay seated and upright for about 15 or 30 minutes after eating. You can use a pregnancy pillow to sit comfortably, without having to lie down. 

Another recommendation made by specialists is to avoid a sedentary lifestyle during this stage, especially in the last few months. Therefore, depending on your abilities, you can take daily walks of 30 minutes, this will help you stay in motion, including your digestive system, to promote the expulsion of wind or burping. 

And if you feel tempted to use bicarbonate for gases, you should know that its consumption during pregnancy is contraindicated. Since its high sodium content can increase the risk of suffering from high blood pressure in pregnancy as well as fluid retention.

Consequently, if none of the natural remedies that we indicated above help you, you can consult your gynecologist to tell you what to take for gas, thus avoiding self-medication or combining herbs that can worsen symptoms. 

How to avoid gases?

Although there is no magic and definitive formula to avoid gases, some habits during your pregnancy can prevent you from suffering from them. We could say that you eliminate flatulent foods such as broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower, but the direct benefits of these vegetables, due to their contribution of folic acid and antioxidants, are greater, a situation that makes us see gases as trifles.

On the other hand, what you can avoid are copious and abundant meals, with fried foods and sugary drinks. Instead, we recommend increasing your consumption of fruits and foods that do not produce gas and inflammation such as pineapple, kiwi and papaya, which contain proteolytic enzymes and inhibit gas formation, eat more whole grain bread and foods rich in fiber.

Also, consuming yogurt frequently provides probiotics and will improve digestive function. As for the amount of food, you can take several meals a day, distributing the portions and maintaining a balanced diet that provides nutrients, vitamins and minerals for the normal development of the baby. 

You can also avoid talking while chewing and do without gum, so you don’t get full of air. Similarly, it is important to consume plenty of fluids daily and perform physical activity according to your stage of pregnancy to keep your body moving. 

With these simple tips you can make this stage more bearable and have control over the digestive disorders that are so common in pregnant women. In the end, after giving birth, everything will return to normal, or at least when it comes to stomach gases.