Pregnancy is full of surprises—some wonderful, some… well, less glamorous. While many expectant moms brace themselves for morning sickness and weird cravings, few are prepared for the sudden and frequent need to pass gas. Yep, flatulence is a very real (and often embarrassing) pregnancy symptom.

Why Does Pregnancy Make You So Gassy?

Blame it on hormones! From the moment you conceive, your body starts producing more progesterone and relaxin—hormones that help prepare your body for pregnancy and childbirth. But there’s a catch: they also relax all your muscles, including those in your digestive tract. This slows down digestion, leading to bloating, indigestion, and—you guessed it—gas.

As your pregnancy progresses, your growing uterus adds to the situation by pressing against your intestines and rectum. This pressure can make it harder to control gas, leading to those awkward, unexpected moments.

What Can You Do About It?

There are steps you can take to minimise flatulence and its discomfort.

• Drink up! Constipation can aggravate flatulence, so drink a lot of water to soften stools and make them easier to pass.
• Aim for six smaller meals a day. Do not eat three square meals a day. This is just too much for your system right now. It is better to aim for eating six much smaller meals a day, so as not to overtax your digestive system.
• Take your time at meals. Eating quickly causes you to swallow air, leading to pockets of gas in your tummy.
• Avoid stress. Believe it or not, tension causes you to swallow air. So try to relax. Do something to make yourself feel good. For instance, you can listen to music or your favourite songs, take a nap, or read a good book.
• Avoid consuming gas-producing foods. Try not to consume too much gas-producing foods such as onions, cabbage, broccoli, beans, and fried foods. If you like these foods, eat only a small portion and not too frequently. If you know of any particular foods that tend to make you gassy, add them to the list.
• Maintaining a healthy weight gain. Try to keep your weight gain gradual and appropriate to your stage of pregnancy. This helps keep the pressure on your digestive tract to a minimum level.

So, if you find yourself in a never-ending battle with flatulence, know that you’re not alone—it’s just another part of the wild ride called pregnancy!