Blown Up Like a Balloon: Bloating in Early Pregnancy

• Morning Sickness
• Unusual Pregnancy Symptoms
• Fatigue
• Backache
• Bloating
• Breast Tenderness

Every woman will experience a variety of pregnancy symptoms, but there are some common signs of pregnancy. These can include morning sickness, breast tenderness, missed period, headache, bloating, and more. To learn more about the common early signs of pregnancy read Am I Pregnant? Early Signs of Pregnancy. Many women experience bloating or swelling during pregnancy.

Weight Gain

You can get plenty of information from your healthcare provider about how much is the appropriate amount of weight to gain during pregnancy. This figure is always changing, but it's safe to say you'll want to eat nutritious food throughout your pregnancy. That said, even if you gain very little weight, you're likely to feel bloated for a couple of reasons.

Enlarged Uterus

Remember that some of the extended feeling you have is simply the uterus growing with the baby. In early pregnancy, the size of the uterus is large compared to the embryo. Within two weeks of conception your uterus will begin to enlarge and after as little as 8 weeks, you may start to show. If you've been pregnant before, you can expect to look pregnant earlier than with your first pregnancy.

Constipation

In addition, many pregnant women have trouble with constipation, which is the result of hormonal changes decreasing the intestinal contractions that move your food along the digestive tract. Make sure to eat a diet rich in cellulose fibers like fruits, vegetables and whole grain bread. You also need to drink a lot of water. Stimulant laxatives should not be necessary. Make sure to consult with your doctor before taking any supplements.

Gas

If you're feeling a little more gassy than unusual, try taking small bites and chewing food thoroughly. That way you'll take in less air while you eat. You may need to avoid certain foods like corn, fried foods, turnips, sweet desserts, cakes, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and of course - beans. Also, try eating smaller meals more frequently. Stay away from carbonated beverages. A lot of women have success with over the counter remedies like GasX, but of course you'll want to check with your healthcare provided before taking any medicines or supplements.

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Disclaimer: I'm no doctor, just a mom who has been there and done that. This article cannot substitute professional advise from your physician. Please consult your doctor before using any advice listed in this article.