What can i take for gas while pregnant

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Belching, bloating and flatulence. American College of Gastroenterology. Common GI problems in women. Digestive health tips. Problems of the digestive system. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Symptoms and causes of gas in the digestive tract. Eating, diet, and nutrition for gas in the digestive tract. Join now to personalize. Why do I have so much more gas during pregnancy? What causes gas? Can I relieve gas by changing my diet? What else can I do to relieve gas and bloating during pregnancy?

Can gas during pregnancy ever be a sign that something is wrong? Sources BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. Start by practicing diaphragmatic breathing for around 10 minutes times per day, gradually increasing the each session every day. Change your eating habits. To help with digestion, try to eat smaller meals more often throughout the day instead of having three large meals. Make sure to chew your food well, too.

That way, there's less to break down once it reaches your stomach. Get some exercise. Physical activity during pregnancy is healthy for your digestion and helps your body release gas, which alleviates bloating.

Exercise can also help prevent constipation, reduce bloating, and keep gas moving through your body and out. Add fiber slowly. Fiber pulls water into the intestines which makes it easier for stool to move through. Having regular bowel movements is important for preventing constipation , bloating, pain, and gas.

That said, you want to add fiber to your diet gradually—if you increase your intake too quickly, it can actually trigger more gas. Foods that are high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. Maintain a healthy weight. Try to stay within the guidelines for healthy weight gain during your pregnancy. If you gain more weight than is needed for the health of your pregnancy, it can put pressure on your digestive tract, causing gas to build up and get trapped.

Dress comfortably. Tight pants or belts around your waist can press on your intestines and increase your discomfort. Skip the chewing gum. Chewing gum can cause you to swallow air.

Plus, some of the artificial sweeteners in chewing gum can also cause gas. Find healthy ways to deal with stress. Feeling upset or worried can cause digestion to slow down and gas to build up. Deep breaths, meditation, and other relaxation techniques can help you relieve anxiety and stress. If you are finding it hard to cope with stress or anxiety during your pregnancy or any time talk to your doctor. They can refer you to a therapist or counselor who can help.

When you inhale cigarette smoke , you also draw in air. Not only can smoking contribute to gas, but it's also not good for the health of your pregnancy. If you want to quit or have tried to quit but need help, talk to your doctor.

There are many over-the-counter OTC products used to treat gas. While there are some that are safe to use during pregnancy, there are some you should avoid. There are multiple pregnancy-safe OTC medicines that treat gas, including:. Before you take any over-the-counter medicine, herbs, or home remedies ask your doctor if it is safe to take them while you are pregnant. As you are looking at your options, be sure to read the labels carefully to be sure you have the right product.

There are some medicines that you should not use to treat gas and bloating during pregnancy. Many other conditions can be mistaken for gas. Some are pregnancy-related like Braxton Hicks contractions , ectopic pregnancy , and even labor. Other conditions may or may not be associated with pregnancy. They include appendicitis, gallstones , and irritable bowel syndrome. Always call your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room if the pain won't subside or is getting worse, if you have severe nausea and vomiting, or notice blood in your stool during bowel movements.

Possible contractions are always a reason to call your physician, doula, or midwife. Toward the end of pregnancy, you might be uncertain whether gas pain is actually contractions.

One easy way to be sure is to time your pain and discomfort. Contractions come and go at regular intervals, with pain-free breaks in between. They will also get progressively stronger and closer together. Gas pains, on the other hand, are irregular and can stick around for hours, rather than the few minutes contractions last.

Contractions feel similar to intense menstrual cramps, whereas gas and bloating is a more overall abdominal pain sometimes punctuated by a stabbing sensation that comes and goes. Childbirth can affect and stress the gastrointestinal GI tract, so you might continue to experience painful gas after your child is born. Whether you have a vaginal delivery or a C-section, these treatments can help relieve gas pain after you give birth:.

The delivery process stretches out your muscles and causes swelling and soreness and sometimes tearing in the perineal area. However, holding in stool can lead to constipation, which worsens gas. Constipation and gas can develop when the bowels are sluggish from hormonal changes and the pain medications sometimes given during and post-delivery. Try to stay calm. Chances are, you'll feel quite a bit better or at least less bloated after you have moved your bowels.

A cesarean section C-section is abdominal surgery. Any surgery slows down the bowels. Constipation and trapped gas after surgical procedures is common and can be quite painful. The gas may last for a few days after surgery. The longer you go without having a bowel movement, the more uncomfortable you will be.

Let your surgeon or doctor know if you still have gas pain after a few days and have not been able to move your bowels. Gas is a normal part of life for everyone, although some people experience more gas than others. During pregnancy, you might notice an increase in gas and bloating because of the changes in your body all of which is completely normal!

Gas can be painful and a little embarrassing, but it won't complicate your pregnancy or harm your baby. The good news is, there are many safe and effective ways to treat gas while you are pregnant as well as in the first few days after you give birth.

If you have symptoms that you are not sure are gas or that you are concerned about, talk to your doctor. It's much better to find out a worrisome pain was only gas than to ignore a pain that could be a sign of a more serious health concern.

Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Updated July Merck Manual Professional Version. It comes in several eye-catching colors, including rose gold and two shades of green. Regular strolls help keep things moving through your digestive tract, too, and that can go a long way toward banishing bloating and gas. These lightweight, comfy sneaks are easy to slip on no bending over to deal with laces! One smart way to cue the calm? Use a meditation app like Expectful , which was made for moms-to-be.

The short, guided meditations focus on pregnancy milestones and challenges, helping to put your racing mind at ease. The app also offers calming recordings to coax a peaceful slumber.

A simple sand timer is another option that encourages you to take your time at the table, so you swallow less air. Seeing how much sand you have left will help you pace yourself in between bites, and watching it fall just might create a sense of calm. Some evidence suggests that peppermint oil can help relieve bloating and belly pain, and you may reap similar benefits from sipping peppermint tea.

Over-the-counter gas meds like Gas-X contain simethicone, which eases gas and bloating by breaking up bubbles in the stomach and intestine. Laxatives containing magnesium hydroxide like milk of magnesia ease the backup by drawing water into the colon, softening stool and helping you go within a few hours.

If eating fiber-rich foods seems to be making your gas and bloating worse, try this. The trick is taking it before you eat instead of afterwards, so the enzymes can start breaking down the fiber before it gets to your gut.