Inroduction

Gas during pregnancy is caused due to production of progesterone. Progesterone is a hormone that relaxes muscles throughout the body. These muscles relaxed by the progesterone slows down digestion causing gas , burping, bloating and an uncomfortable sensation in the gut. This happens especially after meals. This can often lead to heartburn and constipation.

Causes of Gas During Pregnancy

There are Two Main Reasons of Gas :-

  • Swallowing of air

  • Breaking of undigested food by bacteria in the intestine

But sometimes there are certain kinds of foods that are intolerable by people, which may include dairy products.
Other reasons behind gas formation during pregnancy include obesity, a low level of physical activity, Gestational diabetes and a poor diet .
Sometimes gas formation can be embarrassing and highly uncomfortable.

Gas During Pregnancy may also occur due to Intake of Certain Foods such as :-

  • Beans

  • Fructose

  • Starch Rich Food

  • Fiber Rich Foods

  • Dairy Products

  • High Fat and Fried Food

General Guidelines

  • Chew thoroughly

  • Limit drinking while having meals

  • Have Meals after some intervals instead of having meals in bulk

  • Avoid carbonated beverages

  • Avoid chewing gums or hard candies

  • Go for regular walks

  • Avoid smoking

As we know this can create embarrassment at certain moments so to get rid of this there are some home remedies that can be used to cure this particular problem that mainly includes proper diet, exercise and avoiding certain foods that are the main reason for gas. So let's discuss about some amazing home remedies for gas during pregnancy .

Amazing Home Remedies for Gas During Pregnancy

1) Fenugreek Seeds

  • Take a cup of water, Put 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds in it.

  • Let it soak overnight.

  • The next morning, strain out the infused water and drink it on an empty stomach.

2) Chamomile Tea

  • Put a tea bag of chamomile tea in a cup of hot water.

  • Keep it for some time and remove the tea bag and drink the refreshing tea.

  • Drink a cup of chamomile tea at least once daily.

3) Do Yoga

  • Get on your hands and knees.

  • Position your arms below your shoulders, keeping them straight.

  • Inhale deeply while you drop the belly and gaze at upper portion of front wall, stretching your head, neck and chest upwards.

  • Repeat this 5 to 10 times, then finish with the Child’s Pose to relax your body.

4) Fiber rich foods

  • Fiber is a good source of water. Intake of fiber will help in softening the stools. This can also prevent constipation.

  • Regular intake of fiber is suggested to ease gas. Food such as banana and prunes are considered as a rich source of fiber.

  • Fiber supplements can also be taken under doctor's prescription to remove gas and bloating in the stomach.

5) Eat smaller meals

Another way to avoid excess gas formation during pregnancy is to avoid eating food in bulk and instead go for smaller meals. Instead of having three heavy meals, spread your meals out into five to seven small meals throughout the day.

Avoid lying down and eating. Always eat your food in a sitting position. Lying down immediately after eating can lead to formation of gas to avoid gas formation and constipation.

  • Regular bowel movements are must to prevent constipation.

  • Tension or stress can also be responsible for gas production. So, avoid stressful situations as much as possible.

  • Sip from a straw instead of gulping down the whole glass. When you drink water or juice.

6) Eliminate Stress

The amount of air you swallow can be increased due to stress and anxiety . Eliminate as much stress from your life as possible. One should avoid stress as much as possible. Try to sit in a peaceful place and take deep breaths to relax and even reserve a day for a spa treatment. Unborn baby can sense your well-being in your womb. Giving birth to a healthy baby is a blessing to both you and your baby.

We know the fact that gas won’t cause any problem to mom or baby and it is only a discomfort while you are pregnant, but still it will be considered good for the health to eliminate some foods from your diet to stop the formation of gas and add adequate source of missing nutrients such as iron, calcium, protein and vitamins.

7) Avoid Gas Forming Foods

There are some foods that can cause gas and bloating in the stomach. These mainly include cabbage, beans, cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, pasta, bread, white rice, potatoes, oat bran, raspberries, and pears.

If the mother is intolerant to lactose or even slightly allergic to milk, it is advised to avoid dairy products and look into alternatives like soy milk or rice milk.

One should also avoid greasy or fried fatty food as it takes a long time to break down and digest. Carbonated drinks packed with empty calories leads to formation of gas.

By following these simple remedies, the problem of formation of gas can be eliminated during pregnancy . Though this does not have any bad effect on pregnancy as well as the womb but still it may cause irritation and embarrassment.

Author's Bio: 

Dr. Vikram Chauhan, MD - AYURVEDA is an expert Ayurvedic practitioner based in Chandigarh, India and doing his practice in Mohali, India. He is spreading the knowledge of Ayurveda Ancient healing treatment, not only in India but also abroad. He is the CEO and Founder of Planet Ayurveda Products, Planet Ayurveda Clinic and Krishna Herbal Company. For more info visit our website: http://www.planetayurveda.com