Pregnancy Symptoms: Abdominal Bloating

Abdominal bloating - an accumulation of gas in the intestines - is yet another early pregnancy indicator that may be mistaken for symptoms of an impending menstrual period. While progesterone is essential to maintaining a healthy pregnancy, this hormone is also to blame for your abdominal bloating and discomfort. Progesterone relaxes the smooth muscle tissue within the gastrointestinal tract which slows down your digestive process, causing gas to get trapped in the digestive tract.

Coping with Abdominal Bloating and Helpful Tips:

There are a variety of ways to help ease the discomforts of abdominal bloating:

• Make sure to eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water to avoid constipation which can aggravate bloating.
• Once you pinpoint foods that cause bloating, cut them out of your diet or minimize the intake of these foods.
• Certain foods are known to cause gas, such as starches, fiber-rich foods, sodas, and fruit drinks rich in fructose. Dairy products may also cause gas for lactose intolerant individuals.
• Try to eat slowly. Eating quickly can cause you to swallow air which forms air pockets in your belly.
• Avoid fatty foods which slow down your digestive process and can cause bloating.

So don't be caught off guard if your pants are feeling tighter than usual, bloating and tight pants are very common signs of pregnancy.