Gas & Bloating

The same intestinal changes that contribute to constipation also may cause you to feel full of gas. As your pregnancy advances, this bloated feeling intensifies, because your growing uterus and your ballooning intestines are competing for room.

1. Keep your bowels moving. Avoid constipation, which contributes to bloating and gas.

2. Eat slowly. When you eat and drink fast, you gulp air. The more air you swallow, the more air your already sluggish intestines must deal with. Chew your food long and well. The better the upper end of your digestive tract does its food-processing job, the easier it will be on the lower end.

3. Eat non-gassy foods. Your intestines will tell you what they like and what they don't. Common gas-producing foods include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, beans, green peppers, and carbonated beverages.

4. Avoid fried and greasy foods. High-fat foods can also contribute to your bloated feeling because they are very hard to digest, and stay in your intestines a long time.

5. Eat like a baby. Eating small, frequent meals is more intestine-friendly than taking three big daily meals. Most pregnant women feel the most comfortable "grazing," eating 5 to 6 mini meals at regular intervals each day.