Gas & Bloating
Excessive gas, bloating, and abdominal discomfort caused by slowed digestion.
Medically reviewed by healthcare professionals | Last reviewed: March 2026
📅 When It Occurs
Throughout pregnancy, often worst in first trimester
📊 How Common
About 70% of pregnant women experience increased gas
Overview
Gas and bloating are embarrassing but extremely common pregnancy symptoms that can make you feel uncomfortably full and gassy. About 70% of pregnant women experience increased gas during pregnancy.
Progesterone relaxes smooth muscle throughout your body, including your gastrointestinal tract. This slows digestion, allowing more time for gas to build up. As pregnancy progresses, your growing uterus also puts pressure on your intestines, further slowing things down.
While uncomfortable and socially awkward, gas and bloating are harmless to you and your baby. The same hormones and physical changes that cause gas also contribute to constipation, creating a perfect storm of digestive discomfort.
📆 By Trimester
First Trimester
Very common due to hormones
Second Trimester
Continues, may improve slightly
Third Trimester
Pressure from baby worsens gas
🔍 What Causes It?
- •Progesterone slowing digestion
- •More time for gas to form in intestines
- •Uterus pressing on intestines
- •Swallowing more air when nauseated
- •Prenatal vitamins (iron contributes to gas)
- •Constipation
- •Eating gas-producing foods
- •Stress and anxiety
💡 Relief Strategies
- ✓Eat smaller, more frequent meals
- ✓Eat slowly and chew thoroughly
- ✓Avoid carbonated beverages
- ✓Limit gas-producing foods (beans, broccoli, cabbage, onions)
- ✓Exercise regularly (walking helps move gas through)
- ✓Drink plenty of water
- ✓Avoid tight clothing around waist
- ✓Try peppermint tea
- ✓Keep food diary to identify triggers
- ✓Take short walks after meals
🛍️ Comfort Products That May Help
Comfort and preparation products other expecting parents find helpful at this stage. These are convenience picks, not medical advice — always follow your provider's guidance.
Full-Body Pregnancy Pillow
U-shaped support for side-sleeping that helps take pressure off hips and back.
Check Price on Amazon →Belly Butter / Stretch-Mark Cream
Rich cocoa-butter moisturizer to keep a growing belly comfortable and hydrated.
Check Price on Amazon →Motivational Water Bottle
Staying hydrated eases many pregnancy aches; a time-marked bottle makes it easy.
Check Price on Amazon →Amazon Associates Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. These recommendations are editorially chosen comfort and preparation products and are not medical advice.
⚠️ When to Call Your Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:
- ⚠Severe abdominal pain
- ⚠Pain in one specific area
- ⚠Inability to pass gas or stool
- ⚠Vomiting
- ⚠Fever
- ⚠Blood in stool
- ⚠Severe bloating with pain
📅 Explore by Trimester
Learn how this symptom and others change throughout your pregnancy journey: