Are There Safe Medications For Gas While Pregnant?

Gas pain is a common complaint during pregnancy.  As your baby grows the uterus will press on the intestines and rectum.  Additionally, high levels of progesterone can slow the muscular contractions that help move food through the intestines.  This can then cause gas pain by allowing the build up of air or gasses that apply pressure within the intestines.

Excess gas build up can be caused by swallowing air while eating, eating a high fiber diet and by eating dairy products (if you are lactose intolerant, especially).  Most women know that no medication should be taken during pregnancy, unless necessary, because of the potential harm to the baby.  Because of this, you should try to alleviate your gas pain without medication first.

Sometimes, eating a bland diet will help calm gas pains.  Try cream soups, tapioca pudding, bananas, milk (if you are not lactose intolerant), apple juice, cereal (low fiber), cooked vegetables and fruits, potatoes without the skin, scrambled eggs and meat that is not seasoned or fried.  You may be able to help your gas pain with exercise as well.  Going to the bathroom and having a BM will also help with gas pain.

When all else fails, it is generally considered safe for women to take antacids such as Tums or Rolaids as well as Simethicone, which is found in the over the counter medications Gas-X, Mylicon and Phazyme.  These medications are not rated on the grading system the FDA has developed to show the potential danger to a fetus, but these drugs are not absorbed from the intestinal tract and into the blood stream.  You should check with your doctor or midwife before using these medications

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