The body of a pregnant woman is subject to many changes during pregnancy because of the large change in hormones and the presence of pregnancy, which weighs on the lower abdomen and leads to pressure on the large intestine and not complete the digestion in a good way due to lack of good ability to absorb food, Of swelling as a result of the formation of gases in the abdomen and suffer from a number of symptoms such as uncomfortable pain, abdominal pain and feeling uncomfortable, and can be alleviated by the symptoms of a healthy diet rich in fiber and relieve the foods that cause bloating, such as pulses.
Causes of gas formation in pregnant women
- Progesterone, the main hormone in pregnancy, works to slow digestion.
- The weight of the fetus, which grows with the progress of pregnancy, increases weight, leads to pressure on the digestive system, and slows the digestion process.
- Soft drinks and drinks containing artificial sweeteners.
- The air enters the digestive system during the chewing process while eating or chewing gum.
- Some substances increase the rate of gas formation in the digestive system, such as cabbage, legumes, broccoli, cereal products, such as oatmeal.
To reduce gas formation, pregnant women should reduce the intake of foods, which lead to increased gas formation, avoid soft drinks and artificial sweeteners, reduce foods containing high fat, eat small meals, focus on drinking water, chew food well while eating, And exercise, which help stimulate the work of the digestive system and avoid smoking. Charcoal tablets help relieve bloating symptoms, as it absorbs sulfuric compounds from the intestines. Stabilization of bacteria in the intestine by bacterial strains absorbs gases, such as probiotics, a beneficial bacteria that helps reduce the formation of gases. Dehydrated mint, cumin, helps relieve abdominal pain, and expel gases.
Types of foods that are recommended for pregnant women who suffer from swelling:
- Yogurt instead of milk because it is free of sugar, which is not fully digested and leads to the formation of gases, but in the milk of yogurt sucrose may break during the process of milk fermentation and therefore pregnant can benefit from the useful nutrients found in milk, without being exposed to problems caused by the milk.
- Drinking water with plant fiber helps reduce the length of time in the intestines and therefore can be used without the problems of bloating.
- Only to move away from sugars and concentrate on proteins and fats.
- Eating rice as it does not cause the gases to be.
- Cook legumes well in clean water and get rid of the water used in soaking helps to reduce the formation of gases.