What can pregnant women do to prevent gas formation? Therapy with pharmacological agents. Gas formation during pregnancy: successful treatment with Iberogast

The topic of increased gas formation during pregnancy (however, not only during pregnancy), despite its relevance, is, to say the least, uncomfortable. This becomes the cause of a huge problem, because many women are simply embarrassed to tell their doctor about it, not to mention their family and friends. But in vain. Firstly, because this condition is by no means harmless. And, secondly, because a woman who is carrying a baby under her heart and suffering from increased gas formation can be helped.

The fact that during pregnancy every woman’s body is rebuilt (every organ and every system “works” to ensure the normal development of the baby) is a well-known fact. But sometimes, because of these changes, problems arise that the expectant mother did not even suspect about. This is especially true for such a delicate issue as increased gas formation in the intestines. And, despite the fact that many are in no hurry to talk about their problems in this area, statistics say that 75% of pregnant women face them. At the same time, the issue remains relevant for completely different periods.

Increased gas formation during pregnancy is characterized (in other words, by flatulence), rumbling, and the release of gases. Also symptoms of increased gas formation during pregnancy are an increase in abdominal circumference and a feeling of fullness. In such a situation, a woman’s health worsens. All these phenomena are in most cases accompanied by pain along the intestine. But it also causes enormous psychological discomfort.

It has been established that gas retention reflexively provokes various manifestations. These include increased pain and shortness of breath. In addition, seemingly completely unrelated conditions arise - nausea, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, lack of appetite - which does not have the best effect on the emotional state of the expectant mother. And stress is known to further aggravate these symptoms.

It is reassuring that gas formation is not a disease. This is a natural physiological process that occurs in the human body every day. Pregnancy, a special physiological state of the female body, becomes a period when gas formation increases for a number of reasons. All this leads to functional disorders of the digestive system. In order to know how to help a pregnant woman cope with this unpleasant phenomenon, you need to be aware of the causes of its occurrence.

What are the causes of gas formation during pregnancy?

So, almost every woman knows that, starting from the very first weeks of pregnancy, a global hormonal change occurs in her body. First of all, the level of progesterone in the blood increases. This hormone relaxes smooth muscles, which is essential for maintaining pregnancy. Otherwise, the resulting contractions of the uterus can cause a miscarriage. Therefore, wise nature made sure that the muscles of the female reproductive organ were in a relaxed state for the time being during pregnancy. However, as everywhere else, there is a “but” in this issue. Progesterone relaxes not only the muscle fibers of the uterus. It causes the muscles of other internal organs to relax. Therefore, the muscles of the intestinal walls also weaken. This, in turn, causes food to pass through the intestines much more slowly than usual, causing it to stagnate and increase gas production. The reason for the accumulation of large amounts of gas during pregnancy is also the growing fetus. As a result, the uterus also enlarges, and significant mechanical pressure is exerted on the intestines. This situation causes not only increased gas formation during pregnancy, but also constipation. It is especially difficult for women who have been diagnosed with chronic intestinal diseases and dysbiosis. During dysbacteriosis, a dominance of pathogenic microflora is observed in the intestines of a pregnant woman, which contributes to the decomposition of food and, as a result, increased separation of gases.

Another reason for increased gas formation during pregnancy is a sedentary lifestyle. Some women move little and do not lead an active lifestyle because they are inherently lazy. Others - due to the threat of spontaneous abortion or.

Nutritional culture and compliance (or non-compliance) with diet also play an important role. If you eat rarely (1-2 times a day) and in large portions, you won’t have any problems. Especially if a woman consumes large quantities of brown bread, legumes, large amounts of raw vegetables, grape and apple juices. Separately, it is necessary to mention carbonated drinks. Firstly, this is a direct path to increased gas formation, and, secondly, this is a very dangerous product for pregnant women. This is relevant for both early and late stages of pregnancy.

Increased gas production is also possible as a result of taking certain medications. For example, iron supplements for anemia, as well as medications that lower blood pressure, affect intestinal function.

Sometimes increased gas formation signals the presence of a pathology that requires thorough, and in certain cases, even surgical treatment. That is why you should not hide the presence of this problem from your doctor. After all, sometimes it is necessary to take urgent measures.

Diagnosis of increased gas formation during pregnancy

One of the most common methods for diagnosing this condition is an ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs. In some cases, colonoscopy is used. This is necessary if feces are often accompanied by bleeding, which may indicate organic damage to the intestines. Also, if there is a suspicion that a woman has increased secretion of progesterone, it is necessary to determine its level. If suspicions are confirmed, take the necessary measures.

How to help a pregnant woman cope with increased gas formation?

Relief from the described condition in almost 100% of cases occurs after the natural release of gases. Since constipation is a common companion to gas formation, this problem needs to be solved. During constipation, stools rarely pass - once every two to three days, and even then in small portions. In this case, the act of defecation is painful in most cases and may be accompanied by bleeding from the anus.

But, unfortunately, it is not always possible to eliminate increased gas formation during pregnancy. Experts explain this by the physiological characteristics of a pregnant woman’s body. However, it is quite possible to alleviate the condition.

What needs to be done? Firstly, to normalize nutrition, both in qualitative and quantitative terms. The most optimal solution would be to eat small portions of food taken quite often (5 to 7 times a day). Now the expectant mother needs to fall in love with foods that contain a sufficient amount of fiber. These include wholemeal bread, cereal grains, and vegetables (stewed or steamed). In addition, it is worth taking care of a sufficient amount of fluid consumed per day.

An excellent way to combat increased gas formation is physical exercise. It is better if the complex is compiled by a doctor, taking into account the characteristics of a woman’s body during pregnancy. In this case, there is an excellent opportunity to improve gastrointestinal motility, as well as regulate bowel movements. These exercises must be performed before meals or 2 hours after. To achieve the effect, you will have to exercise at least three times a day. Swimming or aqua fitness classes will be especially useful for pregnant women.

If the measures described above do not give the desired result, the doctor will prescribe medications. The most harmless are those made from medicinal herbs, such as fennel, cumin, dill, and peppermint. Medicines called "defoamers" are also prescribed. They are able to rupture the walls of mucus bubbles that contain gas in the intestines. These medications include dimethicone or simethicone, which improve intestinal motility, reduce gas formation, and also have a systemic effect. As a rule, adsorbents (for example, activated carbon) are prescribed that can absorb part of the gas. But it’s still not worth abusing them. The same applies to laxatives that are prescribed to combat constipation.

Especially for Olga Rizak

Increased gas formation during pregnancy is one of the most unpleasant problems. However, as with any problem, it can and should be dealt with. Let's figure it out.

On the one hand, it is worth noting that gas formation is a phenomenon that occurs in absolutely everyone; it is a natural daily physiological process. On the other hand, this problem is not as harmless as it might seem at first glance.

Symptoms

Increased gas formation can be encountered at any stage of pregnancy, so what are the signs to determine that this is it?

So, bloating or flatulence, rumbling in the stomach, separation of gases are the most obvious symptoms. You can often notice an increase in abdominal circumference and a feeling of fullness from the inside. These unpleasant symptoms cause a lot of trouble and are accompanied by a deterioration in health, and often intestinal pain.

Causes

1. Most often, the cause of gas formation is the products consumed by pregnant women. If gas is your problem, then you should limit your consumption of cabbage, turnips, legumes, whole milk, black bread, pasta, potatoes, large amounts of raw vegetables, grape and apple juices. Of course, the amount of product you eat and its tolerance specifically to your stomach and intestines are of great importance.

2. The body of a pregnant woman produces an increased amount of the hormone progesterone, which is responsible for relaxing the muscles, including the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. This leads to a slowdown in the digestion process, which in turn causes an increase in the amount of gas in the intestines.

3. Improper and unbalanced nutrition, the presence of gastrointestinal diseases, and dysbiosis are common causes of gas formation.

4. Insufficient presence of enzymes, leading to the fact that a large amount of undigested food appears in the large intestine, subject to rotting and fermentation. The consequence of these processes in the body is the formation of gases.

5. As the fetus grows, the uterus also increases in size, which begins to put pressure on the intestines. In addition to increased gas formation, such pressure can also cause constipation.

6. The use of iron supplements, as well as medications that reduce blood pressure, affects the functioning of the intestines.

What is the danger of gas retention in the body?

The accumulation of a certain amount of gases in the body and their retention provoke a number of unpleasant (and in some cases dangerous for a pregnant woman) phenomena: increased blood pressure, tachycardia, shortness of breath, nausea, unpleasant taste in the mouth, lack of appetite. Taken together, these conditions have a negative impact on the emotional and physical health of the expectant mother.

Ways to combat increased gas formation

Each body is unique, so it is not always possible to eliminate this problem during pregnancy. However, alleviating this condition is a very real task.

It is necessary to exclude from your diet foods that cause gas formation, replace them with others containing fiber (stewed or steamed vegetables, whole grain bread), for example, milk with yogurt or cottage cheese. It is worth eating small and often, not forgetting about sufficient fluid intake.

Physical exercise is another way to get rid of an unpleasant problem. If you are too lazy to attend special classes for pregnant women, you can study at home on your own. If various types of exercises do not appeal to you, you can simply take a walk. Any physical activity helps improve gastrointestinal motility.

If these methods do not help, then do not hesitate to consult a doctor with this delicate problem. Medications can also help solve this problem. The most preferred of them are those made from medicinal herbs (cumin, fennel, dill, peppermint).

Kira Platonova

Increased formation of gases in the intestines (flatulence) is a serious problem that can significantly disrupt the usual course of life. During pregnancy, this condition occurs mainly in the later stages, but excess gas formation is possible in the first trimester. This symptom is not dangerous for the development of the fetus, although it indicates problems in the digestive tract. In rare cases, excessive discharge of gases indicates a serious disorder that threatens the course of pregnancy.

Physiological causes of increased gas formation

From the first weeks of pregnancy, increased production of progesterone begins in the body of the expectant mother. The main task of this hormone is to reduce the tone of the uterus and prevent fetal rejection. The influence of progesterone extends not only to the pelvic organs. Affects the hormone and other structures, including the intestines. Muscle tone decreases, which leads to its relaxation. The passage of food through the intestines slows down, it stagnates in the lumen of the colon. Against this background, flatulence develops as a result of the natural influence of progesterone.

Almost all pregnant women suffer from excessive gas production. It is rare that any expectant mother manages to avoid the appearance of unpleasant symptoms. This condition is not dangerous for the child, but causes considerable discomfort to the woman. As the fetus grows, the symptoms increase, and the condition of the expectant mother worsens. All unpleasant manifestations go away on their own after childbirth. In most cases, no special treatment is required.

In the second half of pregnancy, flatulence is associated not only with the influence of progesterone, but also with other factors:

decreased production of pancreatic enzymes and impaired digestion of food;
increased putrefactive processes in the intestines;
pressure of the growing uterus on the intestinal loops and slowing down their activity.

This explains the fact that usually increased gas production is noticed by a woman after 16-20 weeks. In the early stages, such symptoms occur less frequently and are not so pronounced.

Bloating and gas formation also appear when there is an error in diet. Sweets, baked goods, some fruits, vegetables and other foods provoke flatulence. Gas formation is observed when drinking strong tea and coffee, kvass, beer and other alcoholic beverages. The condition improves after normalization of nutrition.

When looking for the causes of excess gas, it is important to consider some points:

A pregnant woman's addiction to unusual foods, sudden changes in diet and overeating lead to a slowdown in the movement of food through the intestines, increased putrefactive processes and the appearance of gases.
A sedentary lifestyle, especially in the second half of gestation, interferes with the normal functioning of the digestive tract, leading to constipation and flatulence.
During pregnancy, many women suffer from edema, and fluid restriction is often practiced to eliminate it. This tactic does not allow one to cope with edematous syndrome, but it leads to intestinal obstruction and increased gas formation.

If unpleasant symptoms persist after the birth of the baby, you should consult a doctor. In some cases, increased gas formation indicates diseases of the digestive tract.

Pathological causes of gas formation in the intestines

It is impossible to consider all diseases accompanied by gas formation, but it is important to know the symptoms of the most common conditions. In most cases, flatulence and bloating are not the main signs of pathology, but occur against the background of other characteristic manifestations.

Flatulence in pregnant women can also be caused by neurosis or appear after stress.

The formation of gases often occurs while taking various medications. During pregnancy, special attention should be paid to iron supplements for anemia - they are the ones that most often cause the problem.

Clinical picture

Gas formation in the intestines does not occur in isolation. This condition is almost always accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms:

bloating;
heaviness in the epigastric region;
stabbing pain around the navel, lower abdomen and in its lateral parts;
heartburn;
nausea;
belching air;
bitter taste in the mouth;
decreased appetite;
diarrhea or constipation;
sleep disturbance.

As the fetus grows, the symptoms only intensify. In the later stages, cramping pain may appear caused by the accumulation of gases in the intestines. The provoking factor of flatulence is a violation of the diet, low physical activity or stress.

Treatment of flatulence

During pregnancy, the following methods are used:

Diet

Normalizing your diet is the first thing to do when gases form. Following a diet helps improve the condition and sometimes allows you to do without drug intervention.

General principles:

frequent split meals;
reducing the volume of portions;
chewing food thoroughly;
prevention of hunger – timely snacks;
adherence to a meal schedule;
drinking enough fluid (1.5-2 liters per day).

Products that increase gas formation are excluded from the diet:

sweets;
baked goods;
bread made from premium flour;
vegetables (cabbage);
fruits (apples, grapes);
legumes (beans, peas);
dairy products;
semolina;
eggs;
soups with strong meat and fish broths;
fatty meats and fish;
prepared sausages, smoked meats, semi-finished products, canned food;
sauces: mayonnaise, ketchup;
spicy seasonings;
drinks (black tea, coffee, kvass, beer).

The daily menu may contain the following products:

boiled low-fat meats and fish;
soups made from vegetables and secondary meat broth;
wholemeal bread;
unhealthy baked goods;
porridge (buckwheat, rice, oatmeal, wheat);
dairy products;
boiled vegetables and herbs;
fruits and berries in their natural form;
vegetable oils;
drinks (weak tea, compote, jelly, fruit juice).

Physical exercise

yoga for pregnant women;
Pilates without stress on the abdominal muscles;
swimming;
water aerobics for pregnant women;
physiotherapy;
walking.

The training regimen must be agreed with your doctor. For some complications of pregnancy, physical activity is contraindicated.

Drug treatment

To eliminate flatulence, the following means are used:

drugs that reduce the formation of gases in the intestines (including herbal ones);
adsorbents for removing toxins;
enzyme preparations that improve the digestion of food in the intestines;
probiotics to normalize the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract;
laxatives for concomitant constipation.

The selection of medications is carried out by a doctor, taking into account the duration of pregnancy and the severity of the woman’s condition. With the right therapy, flatulence disappears, bloating disappears, and other associated symptoms go away.

Prevention

Balanced diet. It is not recommended to overeat or eat less than 2 hours before bedtime.
Exclusion of gas-forming foods from the diet.
Adequate drinking regime.
Physical activity throughout pregnancy.
Timely treatment of diseases of the digestive tract.
Limiting stress.
A full night's sleep, rest during the day.

The appearance of gases is not a problem that should be kept silent about. If you let the situation take its course, the woman’s condition will only worsen. It is important to eliminate provoking factors in a timely manner to avoid the development of complications. When the first signs of flatulence appear, you should consult a doctor - gynecologist or therapist.

Maria Sokolova

Reading time: 9 minutes

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Many expectant mothers know firsthand about such an unpleasant problem as bloating. The main factor provoking flatulence during pregnancy is the changing hormonal background, which literally involves all organs and systems in the general process of restructuring the body.

The cause of bloating can be both ordinary errors in diet and daily routine, and still hidden diseases, so you should never ignore visiting a doctor!

The main causes of flatulence in early and late pregnancy

The “culprit” for changes in hormonal levels in a pregnant woman’s body is progesterone, the action of which is aimed at relaxing the smooth muscles of the uterus in order to maintain pregnancy.

But the hormone progesterone also has a great influence on the muscles of the stomach and intestines, which leads to a slowdown in motility and a change in the digestion process.

The main factors that result in flatulence:

Lack of certain digestive enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract, which leads to poor digestion of food mass.
Errors in the diet of a pregnant woman.
Wrong choice of dishes and food products. Flatulence can be triggered by food with an excess of carbohydrates, very coarse food with an abundance of fiber, fatty and smoked foods, and a large lack of vitamins and microelements in the diet.
Insufficient intake of water and liquid foods.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: gastritis, colitis and enterocolitis, duodenitis, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, peptic ulcer, hepatitis, pancreatitis, etc.
Dysbacteriosis.
The pregnancy hormone is progesterone.
In the second and third trimesters, bloating can cause constant pressure from the growing uterus on the intestines and gastrointestinal tract.
Stress, physical and mental stress.
Helminthic infestations, infectious diseases.
Environmental factors.
Incorrectly chosen clothing, squeezing the growing stomach and chest.

Signs of bloating in a pregnant woman – when should you see a doctor?

As we have already noted above, the cause of flatulence in an expectant mother can be chronic diseases that appeared or began to worsen during pregnancy.

What alarming symptoms require a pregnant woman to urgently consult a doctor?

Flatulence during pregnancy manifests itself as follows:

The stomach seems to be bursting, sounds of rumbling, transfusion of food and gas bubbles are heard.
The feeling of heaviness in the stomach does not leave.
Copious discharge of gases.
Nausea - and not only in the morning on an empty stomach, as happens with toxicosis.
Deterioration of appetite - a woman begins to be afraid to eat anything, so as not to again cause a violent reaction in the stomach.
Diarrhea may occur - or, conversely, constipation.
A pregnant woman notices frequent belching and bad breath.
As a result of poor digestion and constant worries about well-being, the expectant mother may experience headaches and dizziness, weakness and drowsiness, increased heart rate and surges in blood pressure.

A deterioration in general well-being and mood is not the most dangerous consequence that can occur with severe and prolonged flatulence.

Serious complications can arise when enlarged intestinal loops put strong pressure on the uterus - it may occur , which often causes premature termination of pregnancy and early birth.

In addition, any digestive or appetite disturbances during pregnancy can lead to disorders of intrauterine development of a child , because they will deprive him of a sufficient amount of vitamins and microelements.

The expectant mother must remember: any ailments during pregnancy are a reason to consult a doctor!

The most dangerous symptoms for which help should be provided immediately:

Severe diarrhea and vomiting, signs of dehydration.
Increased body temperature and feverish conditions.
Abdominal pain of various types.
Lack of appetite, severe nausea.
Blood and mucus in the stool.

Prevention of flatulence in a pregnant woman - adjusting the diet and regimen

The first thing you need to do is adjust your diet

It is necessary to eat food in small portions, increasing the number of meals and reducing the volume.
It is better if the expectant mother eats in a reclining position. Food must be chewed very carefully, remembering the golden rule - you must chew each portion at least 30 times.

Products that provoke increased gas formation should be excluded or sharply limited in the diet:

All varieties of cabbage , especially raw. If you really want, for example, pies or cabbage soup, then it is better to give preference to broccoli or cauliflower.
R edis, daikon, radish.
Eggplants and peppers in any form.
All legumes , including green beans, chickpeas, lentils, peas, kidney beans, soybeans.
Mushrooms.
Fruits and berries , especially fresh apples, grapes, plums, peaches, apricots. Candied fruits and juices made from these berries and fruits are also not recommended.
Corn.
Peanut.
Dairy , including kefir, yogurts, cottage cheese and fresh milk.
All drinks with gas , including sparkling mineral water.
Kvass.
Fatty meat products, smoked meats.
Yeast bread and bakery products.
Sweet confectionery and candies, chocolate.

Foods that help reduce flatulence:

Rice, crumbly buckwheat.
Lean meats, poultry.
Whole grain bread.
Boiled carrots and beets.
Low-fat fish and all seafood.
Green tea, compote with bird cherry.
Oatmeal on water.
Steamed protein omelettes.
Fresh parsley, fennel, cilantro and dill for the table.

We adjust physical activity and regimen:

It is necessary to organize the correct daily routine, in which night rest should be at least 9-10 hours, a couple of daytime rest breaks of half an hour, when the expectant mother can simply lie down with her legs elevated.
Particular attention should be paid to sufficient physical activity of the pregnant woman. so that the intestines work well. These include walks in the fresh air, as much as possible, and breathing exercises every day.
Shoes and clothes should be comfortable, not tight, appropriate for the duration of pregnancy. No corsets or high heels!
After eating it is very useful to massage the abdomen, stroking it around the navel clockwise. Do not press under any circumstances!
Swimming and.

Treatment of increased gas formation during pregnancy - how can a doctor help?

Since we are talking about a woman expecting a baby, treatment of flatulence, intestinal spasms and other unpleasant problems associated with increased gas formation should be based on means and methods that are completely safe for the pregnant woman and the fetus.

In any case, treatment should be prescribed by a doctor! It is worth recalling that without a doctor’s recommendation, an expectant mother should not even take infusions of medicinal herbs.

Drugs for the treatment of flatulence that a doctor may prescribe:

Espumisan. The drug destroys gas bubbles in the intestines and significantly alleviates the condition of flatulence. A safe medicine, it is usually prescribed in a dosage of 2 capsules before bedtime.
Iberogast. A carminative drug containing herbal components without any chemical components. It has not only carminative, but also bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, and choleretic properties. It must be taken as recommended and under the supervision of a doctor! Pregnant women are usually prescribed Iberogast in a dosage of 20 drops before meals three times a day.
Diflatil and Simethicone. Prescribed by a doctor according to the scheme: 25-30 drops after meals, 3-4 times a day.
Simikop. Doctors recommend that their patients take this drug 0.5 ml before meals.
Meteospasmil. Usually prescribed 1-2 capsules up to three times a day before meals.
Sub simplex. Dosage – 30 drops simultaneously with or after meals.
Bifidum-bacterin, trilacg, ecoflor. These drugs are prescribed to expectant mothers to restore normal intestinal microflora.

Contraindicated for pregnant women Maalox plus, Nasigel cherry, Liquid antacid "York", Maisigel, Zeolate, Almakon.

Folk remedies against flatulence during pregnancy

Herbal decoctions and folk remedies during pregnancy should also be taken only on the recommendation of a doctor!

Infusion of coriander seeds. Crush a tablespoon of seeds, pour a glass of boiling water and leave. Drink a third of a glass of infusion three times a day 15 minutes before meals.
Melissa and chamomile tea.
Infusion of watch. Pour two teaspoons of dry watch with a glass of boiling water, leave, strain. Drink half a glass before meals.
Dill and dill water. It is recommended to season all dishes with fresh or dried dill. Dill water is prepared by pouring two cups of boiling water over a tablespoon of seeds and leaving until completely cooled. You need to drink half a glass of water before each meal.
Ginger. It is recommended to add a quarter teaspoon of ginger powder or one plastic piece of fresh ginger to tea in the morning and evening. You should drink this tea after meals.
Paste made from clay, nuts and lemon. Grind 100 grams of peeled nuts (you can take pine or walnuts), one lemon along with the peel in a meat grinder. Add 50 grams of pure clay (buy at the pharmacy) to the mixture, add honey or stevia herb for a sweet taste. Mix well and store the mixture in the refrigerator. Take a teaspoon of paste half an hour before meals in the morning and evening.

The website warns: self-medication can harm your health! Use all the tips presented only after examination and on the recommendation of a doctor!