ᐉ Belching in pregnant women, what to do. Causes of belching during pregnancy. How to get rid of belching

Why do pregnant women experience belching and how to get rid of it?

Various ailments can haunt a woman throughout her pregnancy.
The digestive system is especially sensitive to changes in the body. Belching during pregnancy causes discomfort and, unlike nausea, can bother the expectant mother from the first weeks after conception until childbirth. Belching is unpleasant, but quite normal for the human body. Its presence rarely signals pathologies. After childbirth, most unpleasant symptoms disappear. But if the belching is permanent, you need the help of a doctor.

Late symptoms

Symptoms of belching in late pregnancy are similar to the symptoms described above. In this case, discomfort in the stomach may be accompanied by additional factors:

the phenomenon of dyspepsia (nausea, vomiting);
pain in the epigastric region;
constant constipation.

Severe manifestations of belching with other signs may indicate the progression of various gastrointestinal diseases, so this condition requires monitoring by a gastroenterologist and establishing the exact cause of the unpleasant phenomenon.

Is this normal?

Physiological changes during pregnancy affect the functioning of all internal organs, including the gastrointestinal tract. The uterus, which grows along with the growth of the fetus, requires more space in the abdominal cavity, so it begins to put pressure on nearby organs. Belching, heartburn and other digestive problems are completely normal during pregnancy.

Belching is the expulsion of air from the stomach cavity through the esophagus. It usually occurs as a result of overeating. Sometimes it has an acidic reaction, which is associated with the entry of gastric juice into the lower esophagus. Gastric secretions irritate this area, causing belching.

When belching is a sign of health problems

However, burping is not always normal and is associated with changes in the body of a pregnant woman. With hormonal changes, uterine enlargement and other natural factors, it has a distinctive feature - the absence of an unpleasant odor. Belching air does not cause pain; the only problem with it is the aesthetic side.

Sometimes it is a symptom of health problems that require immediate treatment. Such belching during early pregnancy has its own characteristics. It may indicate the presence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Sometimes a woman had gastritis and other stomach diseases before pregnancy, but either did not know about their existence or was not bothered by any symptoms. During pregnancy, almost all chronic diseases tend to worsen.

In addition, during pregnancy, a woman’s immunity is weakened, so all internal organs, including the digestive system, are more vulnerable. To determine that belching is a symptom of a disease and seek medical help, you need to know what types of this phenomenon there are and recognize them.

In what cases is belching a symptom of illness?

Despite the fact that belching is completely harmless, in some cases it becomes a symptom of serious pathologies. But you don’t need to invent terrible diseases for yourself - only a doctor can diagnose them. You can only pay attention to the features of belching during pregnancy.

Repeated sour belching indicates changes in the composition of gastric juice. A similar symptom occurs against the background of gastritis, a disease that often worsens in pregnant women. The culprit of gastritis is the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which becomes active when the immune system deteriorates, which often occurs in expectant mothers. Read more about the treatment of gastritis during pregnancy →

Belching in the early stages of pregnancy can be caused by reflux syndrome. Its cause is inflammatory processes in the esophagus. Reflux is dangerous due to the growth and ulceration of existing foci of inflammation, so the pathology requires mandatory treatment.

If you are worried about frequent belching during pregnancy, you need to pay attention to the quality of the air leaving the esophagus.

For example, the taste and smell of rotten eggs in your mouth will be an alarming symptom - most likely, food in the stomach lingers longer than it should, undergoing fermentation processes. In this case, we can talk about pathologies of the functioning and structure of the digestive organs, as well as intestinal obstruction.

As a rule, belching of air in a person occurs unexpectedly and regardless of his will.

Belching during pregnancy can occur due to the following reasons:

Hormonal changes in the body in the first trimester. An increased level of progesterone affects the tone of the muscles of the digestive tract. As a result, the process of food movement slows down, it lingers longer in the stomach, against the background of which a gas formation reaction occurs, which leads to the removal of gases from the stomach through the esophagus.
In late pregnancy, belching occurs when the stomach is deformed due to pressure from the enlarged uterus. This is also a variant of the norm.
Overeating or, on the contrary, insufficient food consumption, dry food - all these factors lead to nausea and belching during pregnancy. The diet and diet must be followed by the expectant mother.
Increased physical activity increases gas formation in the digestive tract, so bending over and carrying heavy objects causes discomfort. Any load, especially in position, should be in moderation.

Sometimes women wonder: could belching be one of the first signs of pregnancy? This actually happens. At the same time, an unexpectedly changed reaction to familiar foods can indicate to the expectant mother her situation. Even your favorite sweets and fruits suddenly begin to cause belching.

All of these factors are physiological. But most often, belching worries a woman in the last trimester. By 38 weeks it reaches its possible maximum. Fortunately, after the birth of the baby, its unpleasant manifestations noticeably decrease.

Belching in an expectant mother is not always the only symptom. If its cause is pathology, the release of air is accompanied by other signs of discomfort associated with dysfunctional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

A woman may complain of symptoms such as:

Belching may also be accompanied by accompanying phenomena:

release of gases from the esophagus with characteristic sounds and smell;
contraction of the diaphragm;
unpleasant taste in the mouth.

You should definitely pay attention to the symptoms that accompany belching. They are the ones who can tell the doctor what pathology we are talking about.

Symptoms of pathology

During pregnancy, the expectant mother may be worried about more than just belching. If this is a consequence of a serious illness, then the woman will have other complaints related to impaired functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Additional signs of the disease may be:

nausea;
heartburn;
vomit;
constipation;
stomach pain.

, other accompanying phenomena may be added to air belching during pregnancy

bitter taste in the mouth;
frequent contraction of the diaphragm;
release of gases from the esophagus with unpleasant sounds and smell.

All these symptoms should not go unnoticed by the doctor. They will help him get the most complete picture of the pregnant woman’s condition and determine the pathology.

Diagnostics

What to do if belching causes discomfort during pregnancy? First of all, visit a gastroenterologist and get directions for the necessary examinations.

Most often, fibrogastroscopy or FGS is prescribed. This is a time-tested method of examining the digestive organs - the esophagus, stomach and intestines to detect possible diseases. FGS allows you to identify gastritis, gastroduodenitis, polyps, gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers.

The procedure lasts no more than 15 minutes. During this procedure, a flexible hose with a light at the end is inserted into the woman's esophagus through her mouth. In this case, there is practically no pain, since the oropharynx is treated with an anesthetic - Lidocaine. After examining the organs, the hose is removed.

If pathology is suspected, tissue samples may be taken during the procedure for a biopsy. The accuracy of fibrogastroscopy is quite high, so the method is used everywhere.

Which doctor should I contact if I have belching during pregnancy?

Constant belching of sour or rotten eggs during pregnancy is a reason to contact a gastroenterologist. The specialist will explain to the expectant mother what could have caused this symptom and tell her how to get rid of it.

Drug therapy is not always necessary. But if the need arises, treatment is carried out with drugs that are safe for the fetus. Most often, expectant mothers are diagnosed with gastritis. Effective medications in this case are: Maalox, Phosphalugel, Rennie. Thanks to them, the acidity of gastric juice decreases, pain, belching and nausea disappear during pregnancy. Read more about using Rennie during pregnancy →

How to get rid of belching?

As mentioned above, treatment is not always required for expectant mothers. In most cases, correcting the diet and frequency of meals helps. It is necessary to exclude from the menu foods that increase fermentation in the stomach. These include legumes, grapes, fresh baked goods, and cabbage. Partially limit the consumption of black bread, potatoes and oatmeal, as the most starchy foods.

But not only food can cause belching with air during pregnancy. You also need to give up carbonated drinks and dry food. And of course, bad habits. Nicotine and alcohol are not only dangerous for the developing fetus, but also provoke problems in the digestive tract, contributing to the development of belching, heartburn and nausea.

Ideally, the expectant mother should eat in small portions - up to five times a day in small portions. Half an hour before meals, it is advisable to drink a glass of water in small sips. This will prevent the woman from overeating.

They chew food slowly, trying not to talk at this moment. Any snacks should be avoided 2-3 hours before bedtime. A glass of kefir at night will help get rid of hunger.

The diet must include fermented milk products, fruits and vegetables. Following dietary recommendations allows you to improve digestion and avoid such unpleasant symptoms as belching rotten eggs during pregnancy.

Prevention

To avoid belching during pregnancy, you need to follow some rules:

Avoid eating food immediately before bed. This will reduce the load on the gastrointestinal tract and avoid unpleasant symptoms such as belching, heartburn, and nausea.
Eliminate from your diet foods and dishes that are difficult to digest - potatoes, hot sauces, mushrooms, fried, fatty, smoked foods.
Avoid talking while eating - this will prevent air from entering the upper digestive canal.
Chew food and dishes thoroughly so that large particles do not stagnate inside the stomach, causing belching, heartburn and related symptoms.
Diversify your diet - do not eat only the same type of food, do not give up eating first courses.

Women with chronic diseases of the digestive system should consult a gastroenterologist before conception. It is possible that the diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that arose in them are incompatible with the full course of pregnancy and can cause complications in the development of the fetus.

Traditional methods

Traditional medicine knows recipes that relieve belching and other problems with the gastrointestinal tract:

If the expectant mother complains of belching, nausea and vomiting, a decoction of plantain and cardamom will help her. The finished product is taken every day before meals, 1 tbsp. l.
Ginger can also come to the rescue. A small amount of crushed root helps improve digestion and prevent belching.
You also need to pay attention to cranberries. This berry is useful for all expectant mothers. It is not only rich in beneficial microelements, but also fights the symptoms of gastritis. It is advisable to eat cranberries fresh - a handful of berries helps to get rid of stomach problems for the whole day.
When belching rotten eggs, traditional medicine advises drinking teas based on peppermint and lemon balm. This tea calms the nervous system, normalizes digestion, and relieves stomach cramps.

Despite the relative safety of folk recipes, it is recommended to consult a doctor before using them. An overdose of medicinal plants, like some medications, can negatively affect the course of pregnancy and fetal development.

Not all expectant mothers suffer from burping during pregnancy. For many, it occurs sporadically and does not cause serious discomfort. In some women, belching, as a sign and consequence of pregnancy, occurs in the first weeks, in others - in the last trimester, shortly before the onset of labor.

Sometimes this phenomenon is observed throughout pregnancy, as a result of dysfunction of the digestive organs. In these cases, we are usually talking about chronic gastrointestinal diseases that the woman already had before pregnancy and worsened during her period. Treatment is selected for the expectant mother to minimize unpleasant symptoms.

Most often, belching and other digestive problems go away after the baby is born, since all physiological factors affecting their development are canceled. If this does not happen, you need to contact a gastroenterologist. The presence of persistent belching in the postpartum period may be a sign of pathologies of the digestive system.

Author: Olga Rogozhkina, obstetrician-gynecologist, especially for Mama66.ru

Reviews

Reviews about eliminating belching during pregnancy are very varied, since many women use a variety of ways to prevent this unpleasant phenomenon. In most cases, simple but effective methods of traditional medicine help in the fight against digestive disorders.

I have been practicing medicine in the field of gynecology for more than 10 years and during that period I have encountered many individual manifestations of pregnancy. Belching is a completely normal and physiological phenomenon that occurs in a woman against the background of strong changes in the body. Moreover, if there is a history of chronic gastrointestinal diseases, they may worsen.

In the first trimester, belching most often occurs due to a sharp change in hormonal levels, and in later stages due to a strong increase in the size of the growing uterus. The third trimester also has hidden dangers in the form of gestosis. This condition can cause a sharp increase in blood pressure, severe swelling and a general deterioration in well-being. It is important to monitor changes, as such symptoms can lead to serious consequences and disruption of the normal development of the unborn baby. My recommendation is to notify your personal gynecologist in case of any discomfort and identify the cause of the unpleasant symptoms that have arisen.

Gynecologist in Moscow

I was constantly belching throughout my pregnancy and I just didn't know how to deal with it. Discomfort began immediately after eating and continued until the food was completely digested. I want to say that these are very unpleasant sensations, and ordinary soda helped me cope with them.

I made a solution in the proportion of 1 teaspoon per glass of water and drank the resulting solution immediately after eating. At the same time, all unpleasant symptoms disappeared, and general health was normal. In my case, the cause of belching is simply physiological changes in the body, so I quickly overcame the discomfort that arose.

Irina, Evpatoria

Belching during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a wonderful and at the same time difficult period in a woman’s life, because it is accompanied by various ailments: nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, back pain, varicose veins. And if the expectant mother feels nauseous mainly in the first three months, then, for example, a symptom such as belching or heartburn may bother her throughout the entire pregnancy. Many women wonder why belching occurs and whether it is a symptom of some internal disease. We tried to give answers to them.

Belching is normal

Since a woman’s hormonal background changes during pregnancy, the body adjusts to carrying a baby, which cannot but be reflected primarily in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, belching, heartburn, and a feeling of overeating are quite common during this period.

What is burping? This is the sudden and involuntary release of gas from the mouth that was in the stomach or esophagus. Belching can be sour due to gastric contents entering the lower esophagus, which irritates its mucous membrane. Of course, this is very unpleasant, but it happens often in pregnant women.

Possible causes of belching:

hormonal changes in the body of a pregnant woman;
enlargement of the uterus, which causes pressure in the abdominal cavity and the position of the stomach to change;
exacerbation of a chronic disease;
inability to digest food completely in the stomach, as a result of which its walls stretch;

As for sour belching, it occurs after eating large quantities of fatty, spicy or fried foods. If sour belching has already appeared, it may continue for several hours or occur periodically throughout the day. But it may appear for a few minutes.

Factors that provoke belching:

not following a diet for pregnant women, eating sweet foods, sour berries, fatty, spicy foods, marinades, fried foods;
stay in a horizontal position, turn from side to side;
leaning your torso forward when putting on tights or shoes.

Physiological reasons

The physiological processes taking place in the body of the expectant mother are themselves normal. However, some of them can provoke belching. In such cases, there is no reason to worry; such an unpleasant phenomenon does not threaten the health of the mother and baby. The main physiological reasons explaining the appearance of belching are:

Hormonal changes. They begin from the first day after conception, the most obvious being an increase in the amount of progesterone and estrogen in a woman’s body. Thanks to this, the tone of the uterus is reduced and the mental state of pregnant women is normalized. At the same time, digestion processes slow down - the reason for frequent belching.
The influence of progesterone. Since the concentration of this hormone increases, and much more - 10 times, it affects the pelvic organs. Because of this, the tone of the smooth muscles of the intestine decreases and peristalsis slows down.
Enlarged uterus. Due to an increase in its size, several nearby organs, including the stomach, may be damaged. Its location may change slightly. Almost all abdominal organs are subject to pressure.

These are just the main changes that occur in the body of a pregnant woman, which affect the functioning of the digestive system. It is impossible to influence them, so belching in the early stages for such reasons is considered normal.

Belching and its causes in pregnant women

Belching is the spontaneous release of air from the stomach into the esophagus, into the mouth and out. There are many reasons for the occurrence of this phenomenon in women carrying a child:

The growing uterus puts pressure on the organs in the peritoneum, and the stomach moves relative to its original position.
Changes in the hormonal background of the female body.
The digestion process does not complete; the residues accumulate in the stomach and stretch it.

Arbitrary release of air is provoked by certain physiological factors:

When a pregnant woman lies on her back and suddenly turns onto her side.
The expectant mother does not follow the prescribed diet. The diet contains fried, spicy, fatty foods, in quantities greater than they should be.
Bend forward to put on shoes.

The phenomenon of belching during pregnancy must be combated, no matter in the first trimester or in the last term. Spontaneous release of air at the beginning of an interesting situation requires a visit to a doctor and his consultation.

Types of burps

Infrequently repeated, odorless and unaccompanied by unpleasant sensations, emitted gases are acceptable to ignore. If you experience discomfort, an unpleasant odor or heartburn, there is reason to worry.

Burping rotten eggs

The food remaining after the digestion process and not exposed to acid and enzymes accumulates in the stomach and another process begins - rotting. The breakdown of proteins occurs slowly, the smell of rotten eggs appears, scientifically - the smell of hydrogen sulfide.

The main period of gestation when a similar phenomenon is observed is in the second trimester and during late pregnancy. Sometimes it is accompanied by heartburn if unhealthy foods are consumed: fast food, fatty, fried.

Diarrhea, belching, and other uncomfortable conditions may go away in a few minutes or last for three hours, indicating problems with the stomach.

In the last stages of pregnancy, a hydrogen sulfide smell appears because the baby growing inside puts pressure on the digestive organs. The food stagnates, rotting occurs and a “flavor” appears. It is most often observed in a supine position, when the fetus puts especially intense pressure on the stomach.

A growing child is not always to blame for the appearance of gases with rotten eggs. A gastrointestinal disease or one that occurs during toxicosis becomes a source of unpleasant phenomena: ulcers, inflammation of the mucous membrane, liver dysfunction, disruption of the gallbladder.

Constant belching with diarrhea or vomiting indicates the poor quality of the previously eaten product. Self-medication will not work - only seeking medical help, since the unborn baby is at risk.

Belching food

The appearance of food in the esophagus that was previously contained in the stomach indicates slow movement of the stomach muscles. Food is retained inside the organ and in the esophagus. At the same time, the channel carrying food begins to stretch. Symptoms remain after childbirth. To solve this situation, you need to switch to eating small portions at certain intervals. Increasing physical activity, walking, and breathing fresh air will also help. This will have a good effect not only on the functioning of the upper digestive organs, but also on the intestines; food will begin to move through the gastrointestinal tract faster.

Belching air

Occurs during a lively conversation while eating. A pregnant woman does not think about food, chewing goes poorly and large pieces end up in the stomach. After such a meal, the air begins its sharp upward movement, the diaphragm contracts and hiccups occur. A pregnant woman should follow the normal process of eating.

Belching treatment

The specialist prescribes the necessary treatment for belching. The first thing doctors advise is to follow a diet. Make small portions of food, take them at a certain time, about 5-6 times. It is recommended to exclude from the diet foods that cause fermentation in the intestines: cabbage, grapes, etc. Reduce the consumption of potatoes, bread and oatmeal.

Eating dry food and drinking carbonated drinks will not do any good. Bad habits will have to be abandoned; they are harmful to the child’s health and negatively affect the digestive organs. A glass of plain water 30 minutes before meals - drink in small sips. Thoroughly chewed food is better absorbed and creates less unpleasant sensations: heaviness, belching, heartburn. It is not advisable to eat before bed.

Drug therapy

Diet is not always able to cope with the discomfort that arises. Then medications come to the rescue.

Maalox. A drug that can help a pregnant woman get rid of belching and heartburn. Thanks to the substances contained in the medicine, when it enters the stomach, hydrochloric acid is neutralized, enveloping the walls of the stomach and protecting the mucous membrane.
Rennie. Tablets that can remove excess acidity prevent belching.
Phosphalugel. Available in the form of a suspension that acts instantly. Neutralizes hydrochloric acid, which is found in excess in gastric juice, relieves belching.

The expectant mother must remember that not a single medicine, even the most harmless one, should be taken without first consulting a doctor.

Folk remedies

In the fight against belching, traditional medicine comes to the rescue; the intake is supervised by a specialist.

Plantain and cardamom. Sold dry. Medicinal herbs are placed in boiling water, boiled, cooled and the drink is ready. Tablespoon before meals.
Cranberries in any form. A rich set of microelements will be useful not only for the mother, but also for her child.
Mint tea or lemon balm tea will help with hydrogen sulfide belching. The nervous system is restored, stomach cramps disappear, and the digestion process returns to normal.
Chamomile tea stops spasmodic actions in the esophagus and eliminates inflammatory processes in the stomach. Performs a bactericidal effect, reduces food stagnation, and prevents putrefactive reactions from occurring.

The happy end of pregnancy and the life of the child are in the hands of the woman.

What to do if belching suddenly appears?

You need to drink mint tea.
A decoction of heather helps a lot. To prepare it, you need to take water, 500 ml is enough, heather – 15 grams, boil everything for about 3 minutes. Drink three times a day, one tablespoon at a time is enough.
An effective recipe with centaury herb. You need to brew the herb in a glass of boiling water. Leave for 3 hours, filter and drink in the morning, afternoon and evening half an hour before eating.
Calamus rhizome powder will help relieve severe belching. It is also the best remedy for heartburn.
A decoction of yarrow is the best remedy for belching. It's easy to prepare. You need to take the dried plant and brew it in a glass of boiling water. Wait until the product is at room temperature, then strain thoroughly. Drink 100 ml after eating.
Elecampane decoction relieves symptoms. To prepare it, you need to brew a tablespoon of dry elecampane in 250 ml of boiling water. After this, boil the medicine for 5 minutes. Leave for about 2 hours, then drink 50 ml before eating.
It is recommended to drink 250 ml of goat's milk every day, this way you can not only get rid of belching, but also protect yourself from it in the future.
You need to take carrot and potato juice in equal quantities, then drink the juice thoroughly and drink it after meals.

Drugs such as Mezim, Immodium, Omez, Almagel help alleviate the condition. Be sure to monitor the condition of your intestines; they should be emptied on time. This way, a pregnant woman will get rid of excessive gas formation and unpleasant belching.

Fennel seeds, flax seeds, linden blossom, and mint will help normalize gastric acidity. All components are mixed, after which you need to take two tablespoons. Brew the medicinal mixture in a glass of boiling water. Wait until it brews. Drink 30 ml twice a day.

Mix cranberry juice - 100 ml, the same amount of aloe juice, add liquid honey, 200 ml of boiling water. Drink 3 tablespoons. The prepared medicine is the best laxative for a pregnant woman.

Belching during pregnancy - causes and treatment

Belching during pregnancy is the release of gastric gases in a pregnant woman with a characteristic sound, which occurs due to contraction of the smooth muscles of the stomach when the cardiac sphincter is open. The symptom is most often due to physiological reasons: hormonal changes, errors in diet, physical inactivity, but may also indicate the presence of a disease. To identify the root cause of erection during gestation, safe studies are prescribed - ultrasound, tests, pH measurements. To reduce belching, non-drug methods, prokinetics, and sedatives are used.

Causes of belching during pregnancy

During normal pregnancy

The release of a small amount of air through the oral cavity is a physiological process that is observed in absolutely healthy people. During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes changes in various organs and systems that can affect the frequency of belching. Physiological erection is characterized by belching of air with a specific sound, while the pregnant woman does not feel an unpleasant odor or taste in her mouth. The following factors contribute to the frequent release of gastric gases during pregnancy:

Hormonal changes . From the first trimester, a woman experiences increased synthesis of progesterone, which is necessary for normal gestation and decreased uterine tone. The hormone also affects the smooth muscles of the stomach and esophagus, causing them to relax excessively. Due to the stretching of the organs, gases accumulate, provoking a reflex opening of the cardiac sphincter, spasm of the pylorus and the release of air.
Growth of the uterus . A significant increase in the volume of the uterus is detected in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, which is accompanied by displacement of neighboring organs. The stomach is pushed towards the diaphragm, compressed, as a result of which its contractile activity and coordination of the muscle sphincters are disrupted. This leads to frequent belching. Women also note shortness of breath associated with insufficient expansion of the lungs.
Decreased physical activity . In the later stages of gestation, it becomes difficult for a pregnant woman to perform her usual work, so women often lead a sedentary lifestyle. A reduction in physical activity provokes hypotension of the muscles of the stomach and intestines, and slower movement of chyme through the digestive canal. Belching occurs as a reflex act due to overstretching of the walls of the gastrointestinal tract, sometimes combined with heaviness in the stomach after eating.
Aerophagy . Swallowing air while eating is a common cause of erection during pregnancy. This condition develops when talking while eating, not chewing food enough, or snacking in a hurry. Due to the excess amount of air trapped in the stomach, the walls of the organ are overstretched, followed by a sharp contraction. This is manifested by prolonged erection with characteristic sounds and a feeling of fullness in the epigastrium.
Consumption of certain foods . Failure to follow the gynecologist's recommendations on nutrition during pregnancy can lead to belching. The symptom is most often provoked by eating fresh fruits and berries, black bread, and legumes. The mechanism of development is associated with increased gas formation, which, against the background of slowing gastric motility, causes flatulence and erection of gastric gases. Belching is also provoked by the use of chewing gum.
Changes in autonomic innervation . During pregnancy, a restructuring of all body systems occurs, including the autonomic nervous system. The regulation of gastrointestinal motility is mainly realized through the parasympathetic fibers of the vagus nerve; when neuro-reflex interactions change, mild dyspeptic disorders are possible. Belching of gastric gases occurs at different times of the day, regardless of food intake.

Reasons for the development of the condition

All factors that cause belching in pregnant women in the early stages of gestation are classified into natural and pathological. Only a specialist can determine what type of symptom a particular woman has. It takes into account a number of criteria, including age, weight of the pregnant woman, the general course of the gestation period, and many other aspects.

Attention! In order for a doctor to make a reliable diagnosis, you should undergo hardware diagnostics.

Based only on a survey and examination, one can assume the presence of some pathology, but an ultrasound confirms or denies the presence of such. Without undergoing an examination, it is impossible to correctly assess the severity of the condition that causes a pregnant woman to release air from the digestive tract.

There are only 3 reasons when belching in pregnant women is not associated with diseases and is explained by natural processes occurring in a woman’s body:

Changes in hormonal balance. Immediately after fertilization, active production of progesterone occurs in the woman’s body. The concentration of this hormone exceeds the volume before pregnancy by at least 10 times. Progesterone affects the condition of the intestines and significantly affects the muscles of the stomach.
Displacement of the abdominal organs by the uterus. As the gestational age increases, the reproductive organ gradually rises from the pelvis. There is a displacement of the intestinal loops, stomach and other parts of the digestive tract. This causes some unpleasant symptoms, including belching, heartburn, and bloating. The reason is a change in the physiological position of the gastrointestinal tract, which directly affects their activity and the digestion process as a whole.
Air entering the gastrointestinal tract due to talking while eating.

Survey

The appearance of belching during pregnancy often indicates a specific gestational pathology or exacerbation of a chronic gastrointestinal disease against the background of hormonal changes. The examination is prescribed by a gastroenterologist with the obligatory participation of an obstetrician-gynecologist in making a diagnosis and selecting therapy. All patients are required to undergo a comprehensive examination using laboratory and instrumental methods that do not pose a danger to either the mother or the fetus. For diagnostic purposes the following are used:

Ultrasonography . Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity is the main instrumental diagnostic method, since this study is absolutely harmless to the child. Sonography allows you to identify signs of inflammatory processes and morphological changes in the gastrointestinal tract. The study is not informative enough in late pregnancy due to significant enlargement of the uterus.
Intragastric pH-metry . The occurrence of acid belching during gestation usually occurs against the background of disturbances in the secretion of hydrochloric acid, therefore 24-hour measurement of acidity levels in the stomach is recommended. Additionally, pH measurements of the esophagus are performed - a decrease in the level to less than 4 indicates gastroesophageal reflux.
Breath test . To exclude gastrointestinal pathology due to H. Pylori infection, a non-invasive respiratory test is prescribed, based on the ability of the bacterium to break down urea in the stomach. The method sometimes gives false negative results, so to clarify the diagnosis, a specific fecal antigen in the blood is additionally determined.
Laboratory blood tests . All patients are shown a standard biochemical blood test, which can detect signs of protein-energy deficiency and detect problems in the functioning of the hepatobiliary system. According to indications, it is recommended to study blood plasma for the level of gastrin and pepsinogen, and determine the main hormones.
Endoscopy . Endoscopy is used during gestation according to strict indications, in cases where belching is accompanied by other dyspeptic disorders. The study allows you to examine the mucous membrane of the esophagus and stomach, and visualize inflammatory foci. The endoscopic method is highly informative in assessing the contractile function of muscle sphincters.

The list of mandatory examination methods also includes a coprogram that detects specific changes in feces due to inflammation, fermentopathy, maldigestion and malabsorption, an analysis for helminth eggs, and Gregersen’s reaction to occult blood. If inflammatory bowel disease is suspected, pregnant women undergo sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy with extreme caution.

Symptomatic therapy

In most cases, belching during pregnancy is physiologically explainable and does not require special treatment. To reduce the frequency of erection, women are advised to adjust their eating habits: eat meals in small portions, do not talk while eating, and exclude foods that increase gas formation from the diet. Pregnant women should avoid sudden bending of the body; it is undesirable to take a horizontal position immediately after eating.

If belching bothers a woman very often or is accompanied by abdominal pain, stool problems, or other signs of dyspepsia, this may indicate the development of a disease of the digestive organs. In this situation, it is necessary to visit a gastroenterologist as soon as possible. Until an accurate diagnosis is established, it is allowed to take medications approved during pregnancy - prokinetics, mild sedatives, which help reduce unpleasant symptoms but do not harm the child’s body.

Video

Most people burp several times a day, usually after eating. However, many pregnant women burp much more often. The reason for frequent belching during pregnancy is the increased amount of progesterone in the body, as well as the constant pressure of the fetus on the lungs, stomach and intestines of the woman. Belching can be embarrassing, even to the point that some pregnant women cancel appointments and avoid social events. Luckily, there are ways you can reduce the amount of burping you do. To learn more about ways to deal with burping, read our article.