Being pregnant comes with a lot of side effects, some less glamorous than others. While you may be lucky and benefit from the pregnancy glow and great hair, it's likely you'll also experience symptoms such as bloating during pregnancy, nausea and pregnancy heartburn, constipation and of course the dreaded trapped wind.
Painful trapped wind in pregnancy is normal and is actually due to one of the main pregnancy hormones, progesterone. Annoyingly, it can cause stomach pains and cramping in early pregnancy, but there are a few ways you can ease it.
Here’s everything you need to know about trapped wind in pregnancy.
Is trapped wind common in early pregnancy?
Trapped wind is indeed a common thing in pregnancy (followed by burping and farting), and it can happen in early pregnancy or later on. The reason you’re more prone to it in pregnancy is actually down to the production of progesterone, which is created to help prepare your body for pregnancy, and results in the relaxation of the bowel.
According to NIH progesterone is first secreted during the first ten weeks of pregnancy by the 'ovarian corpus luteum', which is a temporary collection of cells that forms on your ovary each menstrual cycle if you're still getting a menstrual period. Later on in pregnancy progesterone is produced by the placenta.
Why does pregnancy make you gassy?
When your bowel is more relaxed it’s a lot slower to move along food and gas, which in turn can lead to trapped wind. You may even find trapped wind becomes even worse as your pregnancy progresses, because as your fetus is growing, so does the pressure in your abdominal area, which creates a physical obstruction of the bowel.
Why do you get trapped wind in early pregnancy?
It is due to the big hormonal changes in your body during your first trimester that gas can occur in early pregnancy. Thickening of the uterine lining is necessary to prepare for your growing baby, and the hormones progesterone and estrogen increase significantly to aid this.
Progesterone relaxed the muscles in your intestines as well as in the rest of your body, which slows down your digestive system. As estrogen levels increase the body also preserves water and gas, so the combination often results in discomfort that's felt in the abdomen.
Why do you get trapped wind in late pregnancy?
Later on in pregnancy, the uterus expands and puts pressure on other organs as you move through the second and third trimesters. This can cause digestive issues to occur, including constipation, which can cause discomfort due to gas and bloating.
Foods that can cause trapped wind in pregnancy
It’s physically impossible to steer clear of trapped wind in pregnancy, however there are foods that will bring it on more than others. So if it is something you want to at least try and prevent from occurring too often, try not eating too much of the following:
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Brussel sprouts
• Apples
• Beans
• Lentils
• Dried fruit
• Spicy, sugary and fatty foods
Salvo Health explains that not all fiber dissolves in water. They says that , "Insoluble fiber, the kind in many root vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, beans (legumes), wheat bran, corn bran, and seeds, tends to stay fibrous. As a result, food moves more quickly through the small intestine and colon. In consequence, you may feel bloated, gassy, or in abdominal pain."
Other foods and drinks that contain a sweetener called sorbitol (such as sugar-free gum or slimming products) or a type of sugar called fructose (such as fruit juice) can also cause flatulence, according to WebMD.
In order to reduce bloating and gas, the NHS advises to drink plenty of water, eat fibre and chew with your mouth closed to avoid swallowing air. Regular exercise is also recommended and eating smaller, more frequent meals instead of large ones.
What does trapped wind feel like in pregnancy?
It can be painful to experience trapped wind in pregnancy, you may feel bloated and your stomach may make rumbling or gurgling noises. Along with burping or farting to release the pressure, it may sometimes feel like a 'stitch' or period pain.
A few of the signs of trapped wind when pregnant include:
• Bloating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach cramps and pain
• Excessive farting or burping
Can trapped wind cause back pain in pregnancy?
It is common to feel pain from trapped wind radiating through to your back and other parts of your body.
According to Healthline: "Gas can cause excruciating abdominal pain." They say, "It may stay in one area or travel throughout your belly, back, and chest."
How to relieve trapped wind in pregnancy
If you're wondering - what can I take for trapped wind in pregnancy, sadly there's no magical solution to make trapped wind go away. There are a few things you can do to relieve it and try and postpone it though, including:
Avoid eating big meals - eat little and often instead. Gulping down lots of air when you have consumed a big meal can actually lead to trapped wind. Instead, eat small amounts and take your time.
Peppermint tea - this is naturally free from caffeine and is safe to drink in pregnancy (as long as it’s in moderation). Anecdotally, it’s great for gas and bloating, and one study has even shown it can help relax the digestive system.
Do some light exercise - like going for a walk or pilates, as movement can help relieve any gas that’s trapped inside your body.
What position helps relieve gas?
One of the reasons women love to practice yoga during pregnancy is that there are yoga poses and body positions that actually help relieve gas during pregnancy. Twisting the body, bending forward and doing squats are all great movements for releasing gas and allowing it to move through your body and exit, which helps to relieve any discomfort you've been feeling.
According to Medical News Today, some of the yoga poses that can help relieve trapped wind include:
Child's Pose - In this position the stomach is stretched out in a way that helps trapped wind move through the digestive tract.
Twists - Twisting the body puts pressure on your core, which helps relieve trapped gas. You can do twists standing or sitting.
Forward Folds - Doing these seated on the ground is more comfortable and stable than standing up while pregnant.
Squats - These shift pressure throughout the stomach, allowing any trapped gas to move through the body. Be warned though, if you're in a yoga class, you may pass the gas when trying this - or indeed any of the above poses!
Knee-to-chest Pose - We couldn't leave this one out as it's actually known as the Wind-Relieving pose, although when pregnancy you shouldn't hold this pose, or any that involve you lying on your back for too long.
Can trapped wind be a sign of labour?
When you're towards the end of your pregnancy you may be concerned about how to tell if the pain from your abdomen is from trapped wind or possible contractions. If the stomach pain is mild and goes away when you change position, have a rest, go to the loo or pass wind then it's probably nothing to worry about.
Check if your pain has a rhythm – contractions come in waves, starting off milder before hitting a peak then becoming more mild again, with breaks in between them. Gas pain, on the other hand, is more constant. Also if your tummy hardens every time you're experiencing pain and then softens afterwards, it's likely a contraction, not gas.
If you have stomach pains and are worried, call your midwife or maternity hospital.
What to do if trapped wind pain becomes severe
Trapped wind pain in pregnancy is usually nothing to worry about, but according to the NHS it can sometimes be a sign of something more serious that needs attention.
If you're experiencing abdominal pain that doesn't go away when you change position, have a rest, do a poo or pass wind, the NHS says to watch out for any of the following symptoms that may suggest something needs to be checked or treated urgently:
• bleeding or spotting
• regular cramping or tightenings
• vaginal discharge that's unusual for you
• lower back pain
• pain or burning when you pee
• the pain is severe or does not go away after you've rested for 30 to 60 minutes
If you experience abdominal pain and any of the symptoms above call your midwife straight away.
Potential causes of serious stomach pain
If what you're experiencing isn't trapped wind and the pain is more serious or accompanied by any of the above symptoms, it could be related to one of the following serious conditions:
• Ectopic pregnancy - Fertilised egg implants outside the womb
• Miscarriage - Cramping pains and bleeding before 24 weeks of pregnancy
• Pre-eclampsia - Growing baby and uterus pushing up under the ribs
• Premature labour - Regular abdominal cramps or tightenings
• Placental abruption - Placenta starts to come away from wall of the womb
• UTI (urinary tract infection) - Tummy pain and sometimes, but not always, pain when you pee
Trapped wind in pregnancy: boy or girl?
And ending on a lighter note - there are many fun myths and stories about signs that tell you whether you're going to have a boy or a girl, and while it may seem weird, some people believe that having trapped wind can suggest that you're expecting a boy!
Trapped wind in pregnancy is really common though, whether you're having a boy or a girl, and so this is really just an old wife's tale, like many other fun superstitions.
More likely causes of your trapped wind during pregnancy is either increased hormone levels, as described in this article, or the position of the fetus pressing against the stomach.
Having graduated from the University of Gloucestershire with a first in Journalism, Bryony Firth-Bernard went on to work as a reporter at Heart Radio West before becoming the lifestyle intern across Good Housekeeping, Prima and Red magazine.