Finding Relief for Gas and Bloating during Pregnancy

As if the stress of pregnancy weren’t enough, pregnant women find that their bodies go through some rather drastic changes during this period. Aside from obvious external changes like weight gain and swelling, many women also suffer from changes to their internal systems. One of the most impacted is the digestive system. Morning sickness, in the form of nausea and vomiting affects a great many, as does diarrhea. Many women also find that they produce excess gas during pregnancy and that in addition, there may also be some bloating during pregnancy.

Fortunately, there are some simple and natural ways for women to cope with gas during pregnancy. One simple solution that people overlook is to chew food properly before swallowing. Your mouth is where carbohydrate digestion begins. If not started properly, the stomach will have to do more work later. This leads to improper absorption of carbohydrates, which causes bacteria in the colon to create gas. With gas, comes bloating during pregnancy, and the combination can be very uncomfortable.

Consuming an excess of high-fat foods can also lead to gas during pregnancy. This is caused by many of the same factors as improper digestion of carbohydrates. If the body is overloaded on fat, excess bacteria create gas in an attempt to restore balance. Do your best to decrease your consumption of foods high in fat. Try to stick with natural and unprocessed foods as much as possible. The more natural a food is, the more likely it is to be easily digested. It is when the body is unable to perform efficiently that gas is produced, and which also leads to bloating during pregnancy.

Of course, there are certain types of foods that are well-known for causing gas during pregnancy. Some foods that are known for creating gas are beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and onions. Some types of bread, as well as peaches, pears, apples, prunes, corn and potatoes can cause gas as well. Milk and cheese can be culprits as well. If they seem to be causing you problems, try switching to lactose-free products, at least for the duration of your pregnancy. It may take a bit of trial and error to determine which foods are causing you the most trouble. This can be done more efficiently by keeping a diary of what you ate, and how you felt afterwards.

While there are some over-the-counter remedies available that might be effective in treating gas during pregnancy, be sure to consult your doctor before trying any of them. You may also have heard of a colon cleanse being helpful for gas and bloating reduction. While this may work for some people, under no circumstances should you attempt it while pregnant. Again, if you wonder about any particular remedy, talk to your doctor to find out what is safe for you to use. Chances are, by making a few slight modifications in your diet, you will find the culprit and stop the gas and bloating for good.

Article Source: http://www.parentingarticlelibrary.com

You can find helpful information about gas during pregnancy and everything you need to know about bloating during pregnancy at Aha! Baby.

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