Are you passing gas like a college frat boy? Sorry, guys, but nobody
does gas like a pregnant woman. Fortunately, while the same can’t be
said for those who work and live
within hearing and sniffing distance of you, your baby is oblivious and
impervious to your digestive distress. Snug and safe in a uterine
cocoon that’s protected on all sides by impact-absorbing amniotic fluid,
he or she is probably soothed by the bubbling and gurgling of your
gastric Muzak.
Baby won’t be happy, though, if bloating—which often worsens late in
the day and, yes, generally persists throughout pregnancy—prevents you
from eating regularly and well. To cut down on the sounds and smells
from down under and to make sure your nutritional intake doesn’t suffer
on account of your intestinal outtakes, take the following measures:
1. Stay regular. Constipation is a common cause of gas and bloating.
2. Graze, don’t gorge. Large meals just add to that
bloated feeling. They also overload your digestive system, which isn’t
at its most efficient anyway in pregnancy. Instead of those two or three
supersize squares, nibble on six mini meals.
3. Don’t gulp. When you rush through meals or eat on
the fly, you’re bound to swallow as much air as food. This captured air
forms painful pockets of gas in your gut, which will seek release the
only way they know how.
4. Keep calm. Particularly during meals. Tension and anxiety can cause you to swallow air,which can give you a full tank of gas. Taking a few deep breaths before meals may help relax you.
5. Steer clear of gas producers. Your tummy will
tell you what they are—they vary from person to person. Common offenders
include onions, cabbage, fried foods, rich sauces, sugary sweets,
carbonated beverages, and, of course, the notorious beans.
6. Don’t be quick to pop. Ask your practitioner
before popping your usual antigas medications(some are safe, others are
not recommended) or any remedy, over-the-counter or herbal. Sipping a
little chamomile tea, however, may safely soothe all kinds of
pregnancy-induced indigestion. Ditto for hot water with lemon, which can
cut through gas as well as any medication.
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