Why am i so bloated early pregnancy

” I feel and look so bloated”, is a common phrase made by women in early pregnancy. Clothes feeling tight across the middle, abdominal distension feeling worse in the evenings. Some women feel that they visibly appear to have a ‘bump’ in early pregnancy, but this is often due to bloating. This is one of the less pleasant symptoms that may occur in early pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones, progesterone and oestrogen that can also be responsible for slowing digestion and constipation can add to the feeling of abdominal bloating/distension. Slowing of digestion also enables for nutrients to be absorbed, which is beneficial to the baby. Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum within the ovary (left behind after the egg is released) in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy and later the placenta. Some women feel swollen in their abdomen. This can sometimes last the whole pregnancy.

Índice Show

Is it normal to be really bloated in early pregnancy?
What does early pregnancy bloating feel like?
Why do I feel so bloated pregnant?
How do I get rid of bloating during pregnancy?
What Causes Early Pregnancy Bloating?
How I Helped my Pregnancy Bloat
More Tips for Combatting Bloating
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The hormone progesterone, relaxes the smooth muscle of the intestine, as well as other muscles, to allow the uterus to expand. Gas can be allowed to build up, therefore the bloating. Your tummy may also make gurgling and popping noises/sensations and some occasional cramps. If you develop abdominal pains that are not eased by going to the toilet, passing wind or resting, although it is not uncommon to have some mild discomfort, you should seek medical advice from your GP or midwife.

Bloating and feeling full can increase as the pregnancy grows and more pressure is put on the intestines.

You may need to change your eating habits and eat little and often rather than trying to eat three large meals a day. Not eating too late at night may also be beneficial. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day and being active after you have eaten may help ease the bloating. Also avoiding fizzy drinks, fatty or spicy foods may help. Eating fruit and vegetables will aid digestion as they contain fibre as well as vitamins and minerals, therefore aid digestion and reduce/ease constipation.

See www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/have-a-healthy-diet/ for further information regarding a healthy diet in pregnancy.

Pregnancy

Team Peanutover 1 year ago6 min read

Ahhh pregnancy. It is such a miracle of life, and yet symptoms like pregnancy bloating can make you feel anything less than glowing.

But trust us, mama, you’re not alone. If this particular pregnancy symptom is getting you down, know that it doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong with you — or your baby.

So why (why, why, WHY?!?!) is bloating during pregnancy even a thing when you have SO much else to deal with, and how can you help relieve the discomfort? We’ve got the answers…

In this article: 📝

Is it normal to be really bloated in early pregnancy?
What does early pregnancy bloating feel like?
Why do I feel so bloated pregnant?
How do I get rid of bloating during pregnancy?

Is it normal to be really bloated in early pregnancy?

Unfortunately, first trimester bloating is a common early pregnancy symptom and can be one of the first symptoms to pop up after (or even before) that positive pregnancy test.

So if your jeans are tight already, it’s probably bloating at this point – but you have our permission to call it a baby bump anyway!

But how long does bloating last in early pregnancy?

Unlike some other common first trimester symptoms, bloating, gas, and constipation are usually in it for the long haul, and you may only completely lose these symptoms once your baby is born. Sigh.

In a study, three-quarters of pregnant women experienced some kind of bowel disorder (constipation, bloating, or gas), with 66% of respondents suffering from bloating specifically, so you are definitely not alone. Promise.

What does early pregnancy bloating feel like?

Although you won’t be looking like you’re smuggling a beach ball under your shirt just yet, bloating in early pregnancy might have you feeling like a balloon that’s been blown up too far.

Your stomach might feel tight, tense, and harder than usual when pressed.

Bloating is often accompanied by constipation and gas during pregnancy, so you may well be feeling a bit stopped up too.

Medically speaking, pregnancy bloating isn’t a big concern, but it sure can be uncomfortable and sometimes difficult to deal with mentally, too.

You might only be a few weeks pregnant and definitely not ready to break out the maternity clothes yet.

We hear you.

Your body changes in many ways during pregnancy, and not always in the glowing skin and luscious hair kind of ways either.

Luckily, there are some tips and tricks you can try to help soothe the pain, so you might be feeling more like yourself again soon.

As ever, if you’re suffering from severe abdominal pain at any point in pregnancy, it’s worth a chat with your doctor.

Why do I feel so bloated pregnant?

So, what causes bloating in early pregnancy?

Blame it on the hormones! Well, one in particular — our good friend, progesterone.

Needed for a healthy pregnancy, levels of progesterone go through the roof early on in your pregnancy and can cause havoc with your gut.

This means the usual muscle contractions that move food through your gastrointestinal tract slow down to allow more time for nutrients from said food to be absorbed to nourish you and your baby.

It’s hard to be mad at something so clever.

But, this slowing down also allows more time for gas to build up… and voila, you’ve got gas, bloating, cramps, and constipation.

The original quadruple threat.

Later on in your pregnancy, your growing uterus and the weight of the baby will add some extra pressure onto your rectum which can exacerbate constipation, so it’s good to get into some good gut habits early on. Here’s how…

How do I get rid of bloating during pregnancy?

Bloating while pregnant may be common, but it doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do about it.

Here are our top tips to help relieve your pregnancy bloating:

Aim to drink 8-10 glasses of water each day. Drink between meals (instead of with the meal), as this will aid digestion.
Include plenty of fiber in your diet. About 25-30g is ideal. Fiber-rich foods include fresh and dried fruits, leafy green vegetables, and whole grains like oats. Snacks like popcorn and nuts are good too. If your diet isn’t usually ticking all the boxes on the fiber front, introduce more gradually, as a sudden influx of fiber might cause more digestive issues.
Cut back on foods known to cause gas, like fatty foods, fried foods, legumes, and vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussel sprouts.
Probiotics promote healthy gut bacteria, so eating products like natural yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and sourdough can help. You can also ask your doctor about a probiotic supplement.
Warm drinks like chamomile or peppermint tea can have a soothing effect on your stomach.
Eating smaller meals, more frequently, can help avoid a sudden bout of bloating and will maintain a healthy distribution of nutrients to you and your baby. You may want to aim for eating 6 small meals, or 3 moderate meals and two snacks per day, rather than 3 large meals, which can be overwhelming for your gut.
Relaxing and taking your time eating can help reduce the amount of air ingested along with your food, which can build up and make you feel super gassy. Take your time and try to enjoy your meal.
Gentle abdominal massage can help with first trimester bloating before your baby bump kicks in. Lying down, use gentle circular motions with your fingers to soothe away those cramps. A great time to lay back, relax, and mentally go through those baby name ideas!
Moderate exercise helps keep your bowels moving at any time, and during pregnancy is no different. A gentle walk or swim can be enough to help things along in the bathroom.
Sweeteners mannitol and sorbitol can cause stomach upsets when consumed in large quantities. Although they’re safe to consume during pregnancy in moderate amounts, check sweetened products and maybe avoid them for now if you’re really suffering.

So there you have it. Pregnancy and bloating may go hand in hand, but it doesn’t mean you aren’t doing a great job.

Pregnancy is a marathon, not a sprint, and it’ll all be so worth it.

💡 You might also like:
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Are you just a few weeks pregnant but suddenly feel a few months due to early pregnancy bloating? Maybe you’re waiting for that positive pregnancy test and are wondering if that bloat is from pregnancy or an impending period. Here’s why this happens and what you can do!

My attempts to hide my pregnancy for a few more weeks seemed futile as I walked past the mirror at six weeks. A growing baby is not responsible for a big stomach. Generally, an overly bloating stomach is not an early sign of pregnancy. Because at the early stage you have a baby the size of brussels sprouts and that is not responsible for a big bloating stomach.

The night before my stomach was flat (well, as flat as it’s ever been). That morning? It looked like I was at least five or six months pregnant.

People say you always show sooner and bigger with your second, but I didn’t expect that to happen until a little later on.

I’m all about embracing your baby bump – but man, I was only six weeks pregnant. I couldn’t believe that I actually was already showing that much – part of me was convinced I must have been pregnant with twins!

Then I remembered hearing about this before – early pregnancy bloat. So, I googled it.

was definitely not the only one to go to bed one morning and wake up with a belly the next. Frequent bloating in early pregnancy is very normal (as long as it’s not accompanied by severe abdominal pain, lots of diarrhea, bloody stool, or other blood. These are serious conditions)

It can also be one of the first early pregnancy signs mom experiences. Because bloating is common with a menstrual cycle, it might make you wonder if you’re pregnant or if Aunt Flo is just on the horizon.

What Causes Early Pregnancy Bloating?

Hormones Changes – this is the biggest culprit behind this unsightly pregnancy hormone. The rapid change in hormones can affect your digestive system and make it slow way down, which can result in bloating due to…
Constipation – this is common during all stages of pregnancy. The increase of progesterone levels, which in turn causes smooth muscles – including the digestive tract – to relax. Because baby can take some of the extra water from mom, it can cause stool to be more dry – hence causing constipation.
Gas
Uterus swelling
Intolerances – Some women have food intolerances that manifest during pregnancy, which can make cause bloating.
Increased blood flow

Lactose intolerance- Having dairy products can cause bloating if you are lactose intolerant
Fatty foods can cause bloating
Lack of release of gas can also lead to bloating in the morning.

Additional Reading on Causes

How I Helped my Pregnancy Bloat

Fortunately, there are a few things you can to do “combat” it so you can get back to fitting into your pre-pregnancy jeans for a few weeks longer (and just feel more comfortable overall). As a pregnant woman, you can have a specific medical condition. But bloating should not be included because it is basically related to digestive problems which are easy to cure.

There were two things I did that pretty much made the bloat go away as fast as it appeared, and I didn’t look pregnant for a lot longer.

Increased water intake – Drink plenty of water. Water is really the solution to so many pregnancy ailments – including bloating and constipation. I know that it can be pretty hard on your stomach while pregnant, though. Besides, it stimulates frequent urination. True Citrus packets can be really helpful for making it easier to drink!
- You should increase your water intake anyways when pregnant to help prevent swelling, headaches, etc.
- Especially when you love at a high altitude like I do. It helps to flush out the system and prevent constipation. I’m not sure why exercise helps, but I really feel like it did.
- A gallon water bottle might be a good investment
- Have fresh fruit juice if you are done with water intake or feel severe nausea. Make sure of avoiding artificial sweeteners

Exercise – If you are like me, exercise might be the last thing you want to do. But it can also be very effective in helping to get your digestive system moving a little more effectively. Start with gentle exercise. Regular exercise is important for a healthy pregnancy. But if you experience stomach pain, skip it.
- Always make sure to clear this with your physician
- I didn’t do anything crazy – just some extra walking or 20 minutes on an elliptical machine

In the early stages of pregnancy, a pregnant woman is very vulnerable. She goes through hormonal changes, mood changes, irritable bowel syndrome, etc. You perhaps are not in the mood to exercise. But there are various benefits. Here are some good tips/information on exercise during pregnancy, you will find it very more comfortable:

More Tips for Combatting Bloating

Having a healthy diet chart in your food diary can result in a large change. You can take medical advice from your healthcare provider to maintain a healthy diet.

If you are looking for some more meal ideas that might help, be sure to grab our FREE pregnancy meal plan below – it has TONS of great recipes!

As always, I am not a doctor or medical professional. This is just information provided from my own personal experience. While some bloating is completely normal, if you have any reason for concern, consult your doctor immediately. Swelling can be a sign of pre-eclampsia.

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Katie is a Colorado-native, BYU graduated, and most importantly, wife to one and mother to three beautiful boys. She is passionate about sharing her experiences with others – especially about pregnancy, breastfeeding, cooking, and crafts. She is currently training to be a Certified Lactation Educator. She loves spending time with her family and helping others find joy in family life.