Tips to relieve or avoid gas in pregnancy

Gas in pregnancy is a normal symptom that, according to Domingos Mantelli (CRM-SP 107.997), gynecologist and obstetrician, occurs due to pregnancy hormones that decrease bowel movements, causing food to stay in the digestive tract longer. He will clarify your doubts on the subject and check out tips to alleviate and / or avoid this symptom.

How to relieve gas in pregnancy

Alberto Guimarães (CRM-SP 66026), gynecologist, obstetrician and precursor of Childbirth without Fear, comments that food is the main factor that interferes with a greater or lesser production of gases.

In any case, it is common for them to appear at some point and some measures that can be used to relieve this symptom are:

• Teas: there are teas that act to reduce the production of gases, reducing and/or avoiding discomfort, such as mint tea, fennel, lemon balm and ginger. In any case, it is always important for the pregnant woman to talk to her doctor before starting to use a tea, regardless of the purpose.
• Abdominal massages: done with light circulatory movements, around 10 minutes, usually help.
• Movements: A light walk can help relieve discomfort, as can a simple exercise of lying on your back and bending your legs (squeezing them lightly against your belly) about 10 times.
• Anti-age medicines: Mantelli comments that, in cases where gases cause great discomfort, the use of anti-gay drugs can be indicated (provided they are released for pregnant women). Examples are Dimethicone or Simethicone.

It is worth mentioning that the pregnant woman should never self-medicate. The doctor will indicate the best medication, as well as dosage and duration of treatment.

How to avoid gas in pregnancy?

With food for longer in the digestive tract, due to the fact that bowel movements are slower as a result of pregnancy hormones, there is an increase in gas production. Thus, according to Mantelli, following a healthy diet is the best way to avoid the discomfort of gas. Check out some tips in this regard:

1. Count, if possible, with the follow-up of a nutritionist who will indicate the best menu taking into account the particularities of each woman;
2. Chew slowly;
3. Not eating while doing another activity (such as using a cell phone and/or watching television);
4. Avoid foods that are difficult to digest (fried foods, for example);
5. Avoid fizzy drinks;
6. Avoid foods that normally cause gas (beans, peas, lentils, sweet potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, etc.);
7. Create a food diary (which will help you identify foods that contribute or do not contribute to greater discomfort);
8. Practice some physical activity (when authorized by the doctor);
9. Do not drink liquids with meals;
10. Not eating large meals (eating small meals more times a day);
11. Avoid talking during the meal;
12. Do not smoke;
13. Avoid chewing gum.

It is important to remember that gases are natural to the body, so there is no way to avoid them, but rather how to reduce their intensity.

More questions answered by the gynecologist

It is common for pregnant women to be concerned about their health as a whole, so more specific questions about this symptom may arise. Check the clarification for the main questions below:

1. When does gas in pregnancy start? Alberto Guimarães comments that there is no specific phase for this, since gases are produced all the time. “As in pregnancy, due to hormonal production, peristalsis (intestinal movement) is slower, this issue of gases is usually increased. Sometimes, in the initial phase of pregnancy, the woman still does not have the uterus big enough to make her belly grow… But, for those who look at it in profile, it seems that the pregnant woman already has a huge belly… That’s because she retains more gases, which gives that feeling of ‘bloating’”. But this does not mean that it is only at this stage that gases are produced and each woman has her particularities in relation to this symptom.

2. Does gas in pregnancy cause pain in the bottom of the belly? “Yes, this distension can generate discomfort and pain in the bottom of the belly. Sometimes, the question may even arise whether the pain is due to a uterine contraction or is related to the intestinal part. However, it is worth remembering that, in general, the pain from gas is not the same as that of a contraction for childbirth, even because it does not have a periodicity”, answers Guimarães.

3. Are gas in pregnancy usually more smelly? “Odor depends much more on what is consumed, as some foods actually increase gaseous production”, answers Guimarães.

4. Can you take Simethicone during pregnancy? Guimarães answers that yes, that this is a safe medication. The doctor who monitors the pregnancy will certainly indicate the best option, taking into account the particularities of each patient.

5. Does gas in pregnancy harm the baby? Not. Its consequences are only discomfort and/or pain for the pregnant woman.

6. Can gas be a sign of other problems? Guimarães points out that gas, by itself, is not a sign of illness. However, if they are accompanied by other important symptoms, the doctor accompanying the pregnancy should be notified as soon as possible.

It can be said, therefore, that gas in pregnancy is normal and does not cause problems other than discomfort and pain. However, when gases are causing a lot of discomfort, and if they are accompanied by other signs (such as blood in the stools, diarrhea, nausea and severe vomiting), it is important to quickly contact the doctor so that he can evaluate the particularities of the condition. case. Enjoy and also clarify your doubts about headache in pregnancy.