Bloating and water retention are normal during pregnancy, so normal in fact that about 50% of all pregnant women experience it.
It is usually at it’s worst during the
third trimester, but can happen at any time. It is also usually worse during the
summer months, especially if you live in a really hot and humid climate.
Ways to fight bloating during pregnancy
Water retention or ‘bloating’ is usually a result of rising hormone levels which cause you to retain more fluid than you would normally.
Luckily there are a number of different ways to help reduce the effects of this during your pregnancy, and some of these include:
Lie down or elevate your feet regularly. Try and get your feet elevated as much as you can, especially during the third trimester. Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes, shoes or stockings as these will only restrict the blood flow and make your fluid retention worse. Exercise will also help you a great deal with fluid retention, try
swimming,
yoga or
walking. Avoid diuretic drugs, especially during the early weeks of pregnancy. Drink water- try and ensure that you are drinking at least 6-8 glasses of water a day. You should be doing this even if you are not suffering from fluid retention anyway.
You can also reduce the effects of bloating by eating foods which have natural diuretic properties, such as:
Anise Celery Onion Parsley Coffee or tea (include in moderation due to caffeine content) Herbal Teas Eggplant Garlic Peppermint
There is also some indication that foods which are rich in fish oils or linoleic acid may also help with the effects of bloating which is associated with
pre-eclampsia, but not with normal water retention.
Eating fish during your pregnancy is an obvious source of fish oils, and if you are looking to add linoleic acid to your diet then you can cook with safflower oil.
Sign up now, and recieve Weekly updates on how your pregnancy & your baby are developing. Including pictures, nutritional advice, info on symptoms and complications and so much more!
Stages Of Labor
There are three distinct stages of labor, and your experience with each will be very different. Find out more of what you can expect....
Glucose Tolerance Test
It is not uncommon for a health care provider to recommend that you have a glucose screening test. This test is carried out to determine if.....
Childcare Choices
Going back to work and spending time away from your baby can be stressful enough and trying to find the right creche or childcare facility....
Asthma While Pregnant
If you are one of the many women that suffer from asthma, you may be concerned about how this ailment of yours will affect your unborn child.
Bloating and water retention are normal during pregnancy, so normal in fact that about 50% of all pregnant women experience it.
Lie down or elevate your feet regularly. Try and get your feet elevated as much as you can, especially during the third trimester.
