Oops! Why do we have so much gas during pregnancy?

The buildup of gas happens whether you are pregnant or not. However, you may discover more challenges with gas once you discover you are pregnant. One of the key contributing factors to experiencing more gas during pregnancy is the increased levels of progesterone. Progesterone is a hormone that causes the muscles throughout your body to relax.

Subsequently, your intestine muscles relax more which causes your digestion to slow down. The transient time through the intestine can increase by 30%. This allows gas to build up easier and creates bloating, burping and of course flatulence. Gas during pregnancy can also increase later in pregnancy when the enlarging uterus places pressure on your abdominal cavity. This pressure can also slow down digestion allowing gas to build up.

Unfortunately, the progesterone hormone muscle relaxation makes it harder to control the release of gas. Don’t be surprised if you ended up passing gas in an awkward situation creating a little embarrassment. Just laugh it off and blame it on the baby. 

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