Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Proper Nutrition
• Method 2 of 3: An active and healthy lifestyle
• Method 3 of 3: Herbs and Medicines

Increased gas production can be one of the most unpleasant and uncomfortable phenomena accompanying pregnancy. Hormones produced by the body during pregnancy (such as progesterone) slow down the digestive cycle from as early as the first trimester of pregnancy. This is necessary in order for the fetus to receive a sufficient amount of nutrients. The negative side effect is that food stays in the intestines longer, and because of this, more gas is formed. In addition, hormones relax muscles in preparation for childbirth, which means that it will be more difficult for you to control when you pass gas. All of these hormonal problems are exacerbated when the uterus grows and begins to displace all other organs in the abdominal cavity. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce gas production during pregnancy.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Proper Nutrition

1. 1 Keep a food diary to keep track of everything you eat. This will help you assess which foods are causing you certain digestive problems. Different foods, such as legumes, peas, whole grains, cauliflower, cabbage, asparagus, and onions, can affect different people in different ways.
   • If dairy is causing you gas to form, try replacing it with lactose-free milk or other foods that are rich in calcium. You can also try bio-cultured foods (like yogurt or kefir). These biocultures have a beneficial effect on digestion.
   • Try not to eat anything fried, greasy, or containing artificial sweeteners.
   • Consider adding fermented foods such as sauerkraut or kimchi to your diet. The bacteria in these foods can have a beneficial effect on digestion.
   • Remember, this does not mean that you should eliminate from your diet absolutely all foods that contribute to increased gas production. Eating enough fiber and a variety of nutrient-rich foods is essential during pregnancy. By finding out which foods are causing you gas problems, you can adjust your diet. You can also, for example, avoid eating gas before an important meeting or before going to a public place.
2. 2 Drink plenty of water. Drinking plenty of water can help you avoid constipation, which can lead to extra gas and bloating.
   • Drink from a glass and avoid using a straw to avoid swallowing excess air with your drink.
   • Minimize your carbonated drink consumption to avoid swallowing gas bubbles.
3. 3 Eat small meals more often. During pregnancy, you need to consume more food than usual. However, the digestive system works more slowly during pregnancy, so it will be difficult for it to transfer a large portion of food at a time. Eat smaller meals more often so you don't overload your digestive system.
4. 4 Eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly. Gas is usually produced when large pieces of food enter the intestines that have not been properly digested in the stomach.Take your time and chew your food thoroughly - this will ease the work of intestinal bacteria and, accordingly, reduce the formation of gas.

Method 2 of 3: An active and healthy lifestyle

1. 1 Exercise regularly. Exercise stimulates digestion. This means that food will move faster through the digestive tract and, accordingly, less gas will be produced. Check with your doctor where you would like to start your workouts.
2. 2 Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Tight clothing (especially around the waist) can squeeze the digestive organs, which are already squeezed by the growing uterus. If skin marks remain on your skin after wearing a skirt or trousers, it means that you need to wear looser clothing.
3. 3 Take up yoga. Three yoga poses help reduce gas production. They can (even recommended) be done during pregnancy. All three poses are performed on all fours:
   • Cat Pose: Standing on all fours, bend your pelvis up so that a “hollow” forms in the lumbar region, and bend your pelvis down so that your back is rounded like an arch.
   • Bend to the sides, to the right and to the left, as if trying to touch the top of your head to the lateral surface of your thigh - as if a cat is catching its tail.
   • Rotate your pelvis like in belly dancing, while standing on all fours.

Method 3 of 3: Herbs and Medicines

1. 1 Try mint. Peppermint has long been used as a natural remedy for gas. You can purchase peppermint in enteric-coated form, which means the capsules will pass through the stomach and into the intestines before dissolving. That way, peppermint is where you need it.
   • You can also make tea with peppermint leaves, which is great for soothing the digestive tract.
2. 2 Use over-the-counter drugs that contain simethicone. Although these drugs are safe for pregnant women, check with your doctor if you should take them. Use these medications only if dietary changes and other methods above have not resolved your problem.
3. 3 See your doctor if the gas is causing you serious discomfort. Seek medical attention immediately if the increased gas production causes you severe discomfort, bordering on pain. If you have severe diarrhea or blood in your stools, you should also see your doctor right away.