Abdominal bloating in early pregnancy

Bloating or flatulence is a condition that often occurs in pregnant women in the first trimester. According to statistics, 75% of women suffer from flatulence in the early stages of gestation.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ]

Causes abdominal bloating in early pregnancy

The pathogenesis of intestinal gas formation during the first trimester is directly related to the state of pregnancy. Among the causes of abdominal bloating during early pregnancy are the following:

1. Increased levels of the hormone progesterone affect smooth muscles. The tonic state of the uterus can provoke rejection of the fetus. Due to the increased level of progesterone, both the uterus and intestines are relaxed, which causes difficulties in removing gases and causes severe bloating in the early stages of pregnancy.
2. Changes in eating behavior, typical for many women during gestation, in some cases cause uncontrolled consumption of various products. If the normal diet is disrupted, various problems with the gastrointestinal tract may arise, including bloating.
3. A change in diet and hormonal levels often cause the pancreas to malfunction. As a result, enzyme production is disrupted, causing incompletely digested food to enter the intestines. Risk factors in this case are problems with fermentation before pregnancy.
4. The psycho-emotional state of a pregnant woman can affect the functioning of the body, including the work of the gastrointestinal tract.

Symptoms

• discomfort in the intestinal area;
• distension;
• rumbling in the intestines;
• increase in abdominal circumference;
• painful sensations.

The first signs of flatulence are associated with the fact that all symptoms disappear after the gases pass.

Diagnostics abdominal bloating in early pregnancy

Usually, the diagnosis of the feeling of bloating in the early stages of pregnancy does not require special studies other than an examination by the attending physician, who determines the diagnosis by palpating the abdomen. Additional tests for the diagnosis of flatulence are usually not required. However, the doctor may use instrumental diagnostics in the form of endoscopy or ultrasound.

[ 3 ], [ 4 ]

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnostics are performed to distinguish bloating from pseudo-meteorism. This disease is neurogenic in nature and occurs due to sudden contractions of the back muscles, abdominal muscles and diaphragm. It is also important to determine the pathogenesis of bloating and draw conclusions about whether this condition is a consequence of pregnancy or has other causes.

[ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ]

Treatment abdominal bloating in early pregnancy

Bloating in early pregnancy is more of a discomfort and irritation than a dangerous consequence, since this condition is explained by the patient's actual pregnancy. However, irritability and discomfort can affect the psycho-emotional state of the pregnant woman. For this reason, treatment of bloating in early pregnancy is recommended. Radical measures, such as surgical treatment, are usually not used for flatulence, but some types of treatment can relieve the patient of bloating.

1. A pregnant woman should avoid foods that cause fermentation and, as a result, gas formation (legumes, rye bakery products, fatty foods, carbonated drinks), and reduce the consumption of sweets, raw fruits and vegetables as much as possible. It is worth eating mainly boiled and stewed dishes, a sufficient amount of clean drinking water, fermented milk products, weakly brewed tea. Foods for bloating should contain sufficient amounts of zinc, potassium, calcium, magnesium, vitamins E and B.
2. Following a daily routine and thoroughly chewing the food you eat helps improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and reduce gas formation.
3. Physiotherapeutic treatment in the form of massage can improve the release of gases from the intestines. Abdominal massage in the first months of gestation can only be prescribed by a specialist, but the woman can also perform it herself. Self-massage of the abdomen involves light circular movements of the hand clockwise.
4. To relieve gases, walks outside and simple gymnastics for pregnant women are important.
5. Medication, which can only be prescribed by a specialist, involves the use of drugs based on simethicone. Contraindications to taking these drugs are hypersensitivity to the active component, which may cause allergic reactions. Before taking any of the drugs, you should consult a doctor.
   • Espumisan (used once in the amount of 80 g).
   • Sab Simplex (in pure or diluted form, taken orally at 30-45 g, no more than once every four hours; the drug is contraindicated for people with intestinal obstruction and obstructive gastrointestinal diseases).
   • Disflatil (20-25 drops no more than 4 times a day, preferably after meals and before bedtime; contraindications for use are intestinal obstruction and obstructive gastrointestinal diseases).
   • Meteospasmil (take 1 capsule 2-3 times a day before meals; in case of extreme hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, liver dysfunction, laryngeal edema, and anaphylactic shock are possible).
6. Traditional treatment of bloating often brings significant results. Among the most effective recipes of traditional medicine are:
   • Dill seed decoction. This decoction is extremely safe and is used even in pediatric practice from the first days of life.
   • Potato juice. Taken orally on an empty stomach for ten days.
   • Sauerkraut juice. Half a glass of this remedy before meals can relieve both flatulence and constipation.
   • Ginger root powder. Take in small quantities (5-10 g) 15 minutes after meals with water.
7. Herbal treatment is possible only after consultation with a specialist. The main herb that can relieve flatulence is considered to be chamomile. It is also recommended to take a decoction of herbal collection of peppermint, valerian and fennel in a proportion of 2:1:1.
8. Homeopathy may be prescribed as a treatment. Experts recommend taking the following for bloating in the first trimester of pregnancy:
   • Sulfur (the dosage of the drug is selected by a homeopathic doctor, usually 3, 6, 12 dilutions).
   • Cocculus-Homaccord (10 drops 3 times a day).
   • Nux Vomica (10 drops 3 times a day; the drug is diluted in 100 ml of drinking water and taken 15 minutes before meals or an hour after meals).
   • Carbo Vegetabilis (usually 12-13 dilution is prescribed).

A contraindication to taking these homeopathic preparations is individual hypersensitivity to the active components.

Complications and consequences

If the cause of flatulence is pregnancy, with adequate treatment of current flatulence and taking measures regarding the further condition in the form of proper prevention, the consequences and complications are minimal.

[ 8 ], [ 9 ]

Prevention

The main prevention of bloating in the first trimester of pregnancy is:

• following a diet and eliminating foods that cause severe gas formation from the diet;
• maintaining a moderately active lifestyle and performing special exercises for pregnant women.

[ 10 ]

Forecast

Since bloating is associated with the gestation period, the prognosis for this condition is favorable.

[ 11 ], [ 12 ]