Bloating
Feeling bloated is another early symptom of pregnancy. It shows up when the pregnancy is in its 11th week. Often, the bloated feeling lasts until the pregnancy reaches full term. Women can blame the feeling on progesterone. Although the hormone helps support a healthy pregnancy, it triggers other symptoms, such as passing gas, burping, and bloating. As mentioned, progesterone slows a pregnant woman’s digestion, which leads to the feeling of bloating, and sometimes includes cramps.
Instead of going away, bloating stays for the duration of the pregnancy. Moreover, the feeling worsens as the uterus grows bigger and presses on the intestines and stomach. While some women may not experience the other early symptoms of pregnancy, bloating is not one of them. Instead, the pregnant woman will experience it until the baby’s birth because of the gas buildup due to slow digestion.
Bloating can also make the pregnant woman feel abdominal pain, belching or burping, and passing gas. So doctors recommend a change in diet. Pregnant women should avoid fried and fatty foods and reduce the intake of whole grains, beans, and vegetables, such as broccoli and cabbage, which help produce more gas.
