Causes of Gas During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, hormones relax the muscles in your digestive tract. This slows down your digestion and can cause gas to build up. Gas leads to bloating, burping, passing gas, discomfort, and pain in the belly—especially after a big meal.

Certain foods can make gas worse. But these vary from person to person. Some people naturally produce more gas than others. Some people get a lot of gas from foods that don't bother others.

In general, some starches (such as pasta and potatoes), some fiber-rich foods (such as oat bran and beans), and foods that contain certain sugars (such as cabbage and cauliflower) cause gas for many people. Women who have trouble digesting dairy products may have bloating and gas when they eat more of these products during pregnancy.

Gas: What You Can Do
The following suggestions may help prevent excessive gas:

• Reduce the amount of air you swallow. Eat several small meals throughout the day instead of a few large meals. Don't eat in a hurry. Take your time, chew your food thoroughly, and don't talk while eating. Avoid drinking from a bottle or straw. Cut down on carbonated beverages. Don't gulp while drinking. Avoid chewing gum or sucking on hard candy.
• Identify foods that bother you. Keep a food diary to help you find the foods that cause problems. Cut back on these foods, if possible, while being sure to eat a healthy diet. Cut back on fried and fatty foods, which can add to bloating.
• Ask before taking over-the-counter remedies. Talk to your health care provider before taking these, since some are not safe during pregnancy.

When to Talk to Your Health Care Provider
If changes in diet and habits don't help, talk to your health care provider. Contact your health care provider immediately if:

• Gas ever feels like labor contractions (coming and going regularly, every 5-10 minutes).
• Gas pain is accompanied by blood in your stool, severe diarrhea, or increased nausea and vomiting.