Published on July 12th, 2023 and Updated on January 15th, 2024
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From the miracles to the nuisances, early pregnancy comes with a staggering number of biological changes. Certain symptoms are particularly common in the first trimester for a pregnant woman (even if you’re not showing yet!), and gas, pregnancy bloating, abdominal pain, and constipation frequently top the list.
If you’re worried that pregnancy bloating and pressure in your abdomen could be hurting your baby, rest easy: in the vast majority of cases, gas won’t harm your baby (they’re safely swaddled in their amniotic sac—and possibly a lot cozier than you are!).
Fortunately, even something as frustrating as flatulence can be seen as an opportunity to learn how your own body works so you can feel confident taking care of your baby’s (especially if they wind up going through their own gas-related woes). With some familiarity with what causes flatulence and how to cope, you can help ease into early pregnancy as comfortably as possible.
What causes gas during early pregnancy?
When food moves through your digestive system, it’s broken down by bacteria that emit the byproduct we call gas (or flatus, in clinical settings). Most gas originates in the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and colon.
When you go through the first signs of pregnancy, a number of changes—both biological and behavioral—may be responsible for feeling gassier than usual:
- Progesterone – Aside from preparing your body to incubate and deliver your baby, progesterone is known to impact the digestive system of a pregnant woman in several ways. First, it causes the muscles in the GI to relax, which may slow digestion. When digestion stagnates, more gas has room to accrue (and sometimes cause bloating). Eventually, it makes its exit through either the mouth (belching) or the colon (farting).
- Pregnant anatomy – Your growing uterus might have something to do with higher levels of gas: when the uterus of pregnant women expands, it can put more pressure on your colon, intestines, and stomach, making you feel more bloated or gassy than usual. When you’re further along and fabulously “showing,” you may also notice that it’s more difficult to control when you pass gas (elevator companions: be warned).
- Dietary changes – From succumbing to late-night cravings to retooling your diet to make it fetus-friendly, both planned and unplanned dietary shifts can lead to more gas during pregnancy. If extra gas is bothering you, familiarizing yourself with the types of food that can cause extra flatulence can help you choose alternatives that are a little easier on the abdomen (we’ll touch on these later).
- Prenatal supplements – Even if your diet looks the same as ever, introducing a prenatal vitamin might have something to do with excess gas. Those that contain the mineral iron can sometimes contribute to constipation, which allows waste to stay in the body longer and may create more gas.
Can I use medication to treat gas during pregnancy?
It’s estimated that as many as 90% of women will use a prescription or OTC gas medication during pregnancy, so it’s important to know which may pose health risks to your baby. Potentially hazardous ones include:
- Alka-Seltzer – Alka-Seltzer contains aspirin, a type of NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). NSAIDs are associated with several maternal and fetal health risks, including pregnancy loss and kidney complications.
- Pepto-Bismol – While no established research certifies Pepto-Bismol as a hazard to pregnant women, there’s also no medical consensus regarding its safety. It’s not considered an NSAID, but Pepto-Bismol is classified as a salicylate, like aspirin. Expecting moms who want to stay on the safe side might limit their use until their baby is born.
- Activated charcoal – Activated charcoal tends to drive down the pace of digestion, which can sometimes lead to constipation. Since pregnancy can already interfere with your usual digestive programming, it may be wise to use sparingly or with caution.
- Select laxatives – Many people rely on laxatives to help speed things along and ease cramping. However, certain types, like stimulant laxatives, can cause potassium or sodium imbalances if not used as directed. By the same token, osmotic laxatives sometimes throw electrolytes out of whack. If you’re considering using one, just be sure to consult with your doctor ahead of time to confirm it’s safe for your baby.
How to Manage Gas During Pregnancy
Playful jokes and “magical fruit” limericks aside, there are occasions when excess gas can be frustrating and downright painful. So long as you don’t notice worrisome symptoms like blood in your stool, you’ll likely be able to find some relief with the following methods.
Know Which Foods Induce Flatulence
By dint of chemistry, certain foods (we’re looking at you, beans) have a reputation for causing more gas than others. That’s because these foods tend to contain higher levels of certain sugars or fiber that are broken down in the intestines, rather than the stomach.
Notorious flatulence offenders include:
- Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and kale
- Certain legumes, like black beans, cannellini beans, kidney beans, lima beans, and navy beans
- Certain fruits, like apples, pears, oranges, peaches, mango, and watermelon
- Certain grains, like wheat, rye, and flaxseed
- Dairy, like milk, heavy cream, cream cheese, ricotta, and ice cream
As this list attests, many healthy, nutritious foods you should eat while pregnant (including ones that contain folate—a uniquely nourishing vitamin that your baby needs in early pregnancy) are associated with higher levels of gas production. For this reason, it may be best to be selective about when you eat them, as opposed to eliminating them entirely.
When in doubt, try minimizing foods that contain high levels of the following:
- Fructose
- Lactose
- Raffinose
- Sorbitol
- Soluble fiber
Remember, a balanced, nourishing diet is largely considered one of the foundations of a healthy pregnancy—sometimes, gas may simply come with the territory!
Try a Gas-Relieving Posture
Often, simply moving your body can help you pass gas and alleviate any uncomfortable bloating. You might try:
- Fetal position – A little on the nose, but lying down on your side with your knees tucked towards your abdomen may help to compress the digestive organs and relieve some of the pressure.
- Wind-relieving pose – Those familiar with hot (previously “Bikram”) yoga may be familiar with this posture. It’s performed lying down on the back, with either one or both legs pulled in toward the chest to compress the colon and GI tract.
- A brisk walk – During early pregnancy, the deluge of hormones can cause fatigue and make your favorite spot on the sofa seem irresistible. However, even a quick stroll around the neighborhood has been shown to reduce discomfort and bloating associated with excess gas.
That said, if you’ve been in couch potato mode since you found out you were expecting, it’s okay to rest. Remember, most women see their energy reboot in the second trimester and increase their levels of activity then (which might make your first-trimester gas a thing of the past!).
Switch Up Your Hydration Habits
Staying hydrated can help assuage digestive upset, stagnation, or constipation, which may be contributing to gas. Additionally, if you’re used to sipping beverages through a straw, you might try using a cup or water bottle instead to reduce the likelihood of introducing more air into your system.
If you’re a fan of sodas and seltzers, you might also try eliminating them for the time being to see how it impacts your gassiness. To give other beverages the flavor boost you crave from your carbonated companions, try infusing your water with mint, cucumber, or citrus fruit, or opting for a caffeine-free herbal tea, like chai rooibos.
Incorporate Digestion-Promoting Herbs
A handful of herbs have been shown to promote the efficiency of digestion and reduce discomfort associated with gas and bloating:
- Ginger
- Fennel
- Anise
- Peppermint
- Spearmint
These ingredients may be used to relieve gassiness in the form of tea, though some may be ingested orally (like fennel seeds).
Opt for a Pregnancy-Safe Gas Medication
If diet and lifestyle tweaks don’t help you find relief, several pregnancy-safe OTC medicines might help to discourage gas. Some effective products you can try include:
- Antacids (like Tums), which mollify the amount of acid in the stomach to reduce indigestion and side effects like acid reflux. However, some people find that antacids can result in more digestive discomfort, including more gas, constipation, and diarrhea.
- Lactase, an enzyme that helps people who are lactose intolerant (or simply gassy after enjoying dairy-based treats) digest dairy products.
- Alpha-galactosidase, an enzyme that helps break down complex carbs, like raffinose, which are found in many foods. It’s taken before eating flatulence-inducing foods so that they can digest before arriving in the large intestine, thereby minimizing their gaseous byproducts.
Yes, pregnancy gas can be a pain—but before taking any medication, it’s important to check in with your doctor to ensure it’s safe for both you and your baby’s unique prenatal health profile.
With their green light and some caring awareness around your flatulence triggers, you can make those earliest months of pregnancy (and beyond) just a little more comfortable.
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Sources:
- Cleveland Clinic. Gassy Baby? Here’s What You Can Do. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-relieve-baby-gas/
- VeryWell Health. 8 Causes of Pregnancy Gas and 18 Ways to Cope. https://www.verywellfamily.com/painful-gas-during-pregnancy-4179023
- American Family Physician. Over-the-Counter Medications in Pregnancy. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2014/1015/p548.html
- Ochsner Health. Can I Take Alka Seltzer While Pregnant? https://blog.ochsner.org/articles/can-i-take-alka-seltzer-while-pregnant
- Mayo Clinic. Is it safe to take aspirin during pregnancy? https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/expert-answers/aspirin-during-pregnancy/faq-20058167
- Medical News Today. Is it safe to use Pepto-Bismol during pregnancy? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322959#safety-during-pregnancy
- Healthline. Can You Use Activated Charcoal While Pregnant? https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/activated-charcoal-pregnancy#risks-during-pregnancy
- GoodRX Health. What Can I Take for Constipation While I’m Pregnant? https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/pregnancy/constipation-relief-pregnancy
- VeryWell Health. The Foods Most Likely to Cause Gas. https://www.verywellhealth.com/most-gassy-foods-1944687
- Mayo Clinic. Pregnancy diet: Focus on these essential nutrients. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy-nutrition/art-20045082
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Nutrition During Pregnancy. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/nutrition-during-pregnancy
- Yogapedia. Wind Relieving Pose – Pavanmuktasana. https://www.yogapedia.com/yoga-poses/wind-relieving-pose/11/11078
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. First Trimester Fatigue. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/first-trimester-fatigue
- VeryWell Health. How to Relieve Trapped Gas With Movement. https://www.verywellhealth.com/tips-for-relieving-intestinal-gas-through-movement-1943039
- VeryWell Health. How to Relieve Gas. https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-relieve-gas-pains-fast-4140258
- Cleveland Clinic. Antacid. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/23076-antacid
- VeryWell Health. What Is Beano? https://www.verywellhealth.com/beano-4767029
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SneakPeek aims to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information to help our readers make informed decisions regarding their health before, during, and after pregnancy. This article was written based upon trusted scientific research studies and/or articles. Credible information sources for this article are cited and hyperlinked.
