Pregnancy is a sensitive period, so you should never be lackluster on any unusual symptoms or signals – especially concerning the stomach area.
When there are gurgling noises in stomach during pregnancy, the best bet is to get to the root of the issue before it worsens.
My guide can help you with that; keep scrolling for more answers from my expert team.
Why Are There Gurgling Noises In Stomach During Pregnancy?
Fluctuating hormone changes and increased progesterone/estrogen have increased metabolic rates while slowing the digestive process.
Bloating and gas, as a result, are inevitable. Also, pregnant mums tend to feel hungrier than usual, leading to stomach noises pregnancy.
Fluctuating Hormones
During pregnancy, the digestive system works slower due to frequent hormone changes. That leads to excessive bloating, gas, and sometimes, even constipation.
More specifically, the hormones get in the way of your internal muscles (such as those around the pelvis or the uterus), which keeps the digestive tract from smoothening out.
The bile put into the food while going through your intestinal network is also severely delayed.
Metabolism Increase
The surge in sex hormones during critical weeks of pregnancy leads to major changes in women’s body composition, such as muscle mass.
That, in turn, contributes to higher metabolic rates. Do not be surprised if you experience a sudden increase in appetite.
Estrogen and Progesterone
Similarly, estrogen and progesterone also slow down your process of digestion.
While that is good for your baby – as it allows better nutrient absorption – constipation and gas also arrive as a side effect.
As such, many women assume symptoms of early pregnancy stages are “showing” when in fact, it is just abdominal bloating.
When Should You Be Worried?
Here is some good news: gastric disturbances barely pose any harm to you and your baby.
But if you still feel concerned about these weird noises, scheduling an appointment with an expert healthcare provider would be a great idea.
Also, should these less-common symptoms show up:
- Bloody stools
- Continuous vomiting
- Severe gas pain
Then chances are you are experiencing gastroenteritis – where the intestines and stomach are inflamed.
Your baby will obviously be on the receiving end of all their consequences, so seek medical support from your health care providers as soon as possible.
What To Do To Prevent Gurgling Noises In Stomach During Pregnancy? How to Stop Gurgling Sounds
Drink plenty of water, walk around or stretch your body after a meal, and avoid acidic foods or snacks that cause gassiness and intolerance.
Most importantly, do not eat too much at once; break your food into several smaller meals to give the gut and stomach linings some well-deserved rest.
Eat Regularly and Slowly
Pay more attention to the way you usually eat:
- Do you let in lots of air?
- Do you swallow large food bites without chewing?
Then that means trouble.
When the intestines and stomach have to work harder than usual to break down the food, beneficial bacteria also have to increase their processing rates and, as such, produce more gas than usual.
To avoid that problem, always eat slowly and chew every bite thoroughly.
Stay Away From Intolerance-Inducing Food
For those with certain food sensitivities or allergies (ex: eggs, wheat, or dairy), stay away from those foods as much as you can.
Otherwise, your intestines and stomach would react, leading to pregnant stomach rumbling and, even worse, health problems, such as leaky gut or bowel syndrome.
Both you and your unborn baby will be put in severe danger!
To better keep track of your condition, I suggest keeping a consistent food diary.
Whenever bowel problems arise, bring the journal to your doctor for more help; these experts will scan your daily reports to single out sensitive patterns.
Should you notice certain dishes seem to cause excessive borborygmus, do not hesitate to mention that to the doctor.
Drink Lots of Water
Hydration and good health always go hand in hand, whether you are pregnant or not.
Foods like zucchini and cucumber contain 95% of water, which all count towards regular water consumption.
Include water-rich dishes like these in your balanced diet, and do not forget to drink water between meals.
That way, you can ensure your body’s heightened demands for amniotic fluids are fulfilled.
Cut Down Gassiness-Inducing Foods
Still cannot stop the stomach gurgling in pregnancy? It’s time to try cutting down gas-producing dishes in your diet.
Beans, for instance, have a high fiber level, which tends to produce more body gasses.
The same applies to carbonated drinks (sparkling water, soda, etc.) and foods with excessive trans fats and grease (fast food, highly-processed snacks).
Stop eating them for a while to see whether the pregnancy belly gurgling noises vanish.
And if they do not, write everything in your food diary and take that to a health professional. With the help of experts, you can easily see whether something is missing or going wrong.
Reduce Your Sugar Intake
Although our brains rely on sugar for functions, it is admittedly not easy to consume.
So for those struggling with stomach gurgling while pregnant despite all the above methods, you may try reducing your sugar intake.
Space out daily sugary treats (ex: only once a day) and drink regularly to flush the body system.
This tip is particularly helpful if you already have a medical history concerning sugar sensitivity.
Failure to follow this medical advice may cause stomach growling while pregnant due to excess gas.
Not to mention, other issues like abdominal pain and inflammation will also manifest.
Stay Far From Acidic Foods
Coffee and citrus fruits are notorious for their high acid levels, which could harm the stomach lining and cause stomach sounds, pain, and even inflammation.
To protect both you and your child during pregnancy, I strongly advise you to swap your coffee intake with something less acidic, such as tea.
And regarding citrus fruits, either stop eating them or spread your consumption schedule throughout the day; do not eat them all at once and risk overworking the stomach.
Eat In Small Portions
As mentioned several times in this article, stomachs (especially those with babies inside them) need a lot of breaks.
So do not strive to consume too much food at the same time if it seems your body cannot handle it.
Divide your food intake into smaller meals on the same day to give the gut bacteria some rest, reducing the likelihood of stomach bubbling while pregnant.
Be Active After Finishing A Meal
I understand how pregnant women always need rest; however, staying seated for too long may pinch your intestines due to the cramped posture.
The trapped gasses are pushed through the linings and rumble as a result.
So do not sit there forever; it’s time to stand up and become more active!
You do not have to do anything extra, really; even a 5-minute walk can help stomachs digest food better with much fewer weird sounds.
Get up to do a few body stretches or back strengthening exercises every 2-3 hours, and you are good to go.
What Is The Best Food To Eat During Pregnancy?
Though pregnant women have varied tastes, eggs, salmon, and sweet potatoes could never go wrong in this critical period.
They are extremely delicious, can work great with any recipe, and provide tons of essential minerals and vitamins for the baby’s growth.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes have lots of beta carotene and vitamin A – crucial nutrients for the baby’s growth – without the excessive animal-originating sources like other vitamin-A foods.
Better yet, the fiber in these potatoes keeps pregnant women full longer, cuts down spikes of sugar blood pressure, and strengthens the digestive system – especially during pregnancy constipation.
Salmon
Whether slathered in pestos, teriyaki grilled, or smoked on wheat bagels, salmon has always been a welcomed addition to any healthy diet or menu.
It oozes in omega-3 acids, helping build the baby’s eyes and brain while also increasing gestational length.
Best of all, unlike other certain seafood, salmon is extremely low in mercury levels.
It is also among the few natural food sources of D-vitamin, which contribute to better immune functions and bone health.
Eggs
Eggs are and should always be considered the ultimate pregnancy food, containing almost every necessary nutrient for optimal health.
Inside this seemingly plain food are tons of high-quality proteins, minerals, vitamins, fats, and calories.
And I should never skim over the egg’s choline – an essential nutrient that boosts your baby’s overall brain development and prevents the spine/brain’s developmental abnormalities.
Just one egg has roughly 150 milligrams of choline, meaning eating just one egg for each of your daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) is enough to reach the required choline input of 450 milligrams per day.
Conclusion
The gurgling noises in stomach during pregnancy mostly stem from the sudden pregnancy hormone changes and increases in estrogen/progesterone.
Remember my extra tips and advice for daily diets and activities to keep growling stomach during pregnancy at bay, and write to me if you still need more help with your digestive issues.
