Sometimes pregnant women can feel the water noises in stomach during pregnancy. Is it a big and warning pregnancy symptom?
Let’s explore the reasons behind these sounds and learn how to manage and alleviate them.
Health is always the top priority among expecting mothers, especially in the later weeks of pregnancy.
Therefore, please pay attention to the smallest things so your baby can enter the world with the healthiest status.
Are Water noises In Stomach During Pregnancy Normal?
Experiencing water noises within the abdominal area is considered a normal issue.
This symptom of pregnancy is explained by the rapid increase of progesterone and estrogen hormones, affecting the digestive system.
During pregnancy, hormonal changes can affect the body, including stomach activity.
The increased levels of progesterone and estrogen ease the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to slower digestion and gas buildup.
Gurgling sounds or water noises, thereby, appear.
While stomach making noises while pregnant may be unsettling, they are generally harmless. However, certain factors can exacerbate the issue.
If you experience persistent discomfort, consulting with your healthcare service is highly encouraged.
Causes Of Water Noises in the Stomach during Pregnancy
The gurgling water sound in belly during pregnancy can stem from hormonal changes, hunger, specific food consumption, food intolerances, or body fluid.
Women’s bodies experience many changes during pregnancy, so be aware of these issues.
Hormonal Changes
As explained above, the rapid increase of pregnancy hormones, such as progesterone and estrogen.
These hormones naturally play a crucial role in supplying essential and adequate nutrients for the proper growth of the fetus.
On the opposite side, they stimulate digestion to produce more gas, resulting in water-like noises in the stomach.
Hunger
Throughout pregnancy, the body requires more nutrients to support the growing baby. That’s why pregnant women can feel increased appetite and frequent hunger pangs.
The body undergoes muscle contractions called peristalsis as part of its normal digestion process.
When they are triggered by hunger, you may experience water-like sounds from the gastrointestinal tract.
These weird noises often subside once you consume some bland food. Regular, balanced meals and healthy snacks can help manage hunger and minimize these noises.
Consumption of Specific Foods
Some types of food tend to create more gas after consumption. Let’s see whether you have eaten any of the items in the list below:
- Carbonated drinks like coke, sodas, and energy drinks.
- High-fat foods: avocados, seeds, nuts, and deep-fried meals.
- Legumes like beans and lentils.
- Fructose found in onions, wheat, and certain soft drinks.
- Lactose, the natural sugar in milk.
- Specific vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, asparagus, and cabbage.
- Spicy meals, particularly those made with non-natural spices.
While you may not have control over the instability of hormone levels, adjusting your diet and maintaining regular meals can be helpful.
The absence of abdominal sounds could indicate a condition known as Ileus, which requires medical attention.
Increased or hyperactive sounds suggest intense digestive activity in your gastrointestinal tract, which is common during episodes of diarrhea or shortly after eating.
These noises may sometimes stem from an underlying medical condition like irritable bowel syndrome, food allergies, or intestinal blockage.
Your doctor can use a stethoscope to aid in proper diagnosis and treatment.
Food Intolerances
Why does my pregnant belly gurgle? Food intolerances and allergies can also explain this due to the difficulty in the natural digestive process.
Two common examples are lactose intolerance, which prevents you from consuming dairy products. Another one is gluten sensitivity, which involves trouble with wheat consumption.
When your body struggles to break down these specific foods, it can increase gas production and stomach discomfort.
The excess gas can then result in water-like noises emanating from your stomach.
If you find these symptoms repeated after each consumption, please do a test to determine your inherent food intolerance, ensuring the well-being of both mother and unborn baby.
Body Fluid
During pregnancy, your body produces lots of fluids to support your baby’s growth. One of these fluids is amniotic fluid, which surrounds and protects the baby in the womb.
As your pregnancy progresses, the amniotic fluid increases, peaking around weeks 34 to 36.
Sometimes, when you move or change positions, the amniotic fluid can shift inside the womb, causing sloshing or swishing sounds in your stomach.
This is normal and nothing to worry about. The fluid is moving around because of your baby’s movement. Sometimes, the fetus might stop kicking when you touch the belly.
When Should You Be Concerned About Your Gurgling Stomach?
When experiencing stomach bubbling while pregnant, there are some instances where you should be concerned and seek medical advice:
Persistent Or Severe Abdominal Pain
If you have ongoing or intense abdominal pain accompanied by gurgling sounds, it could indicate an underlying issue that requires medical attention.
Excessive Vomiting
Disease in the stomach can cause vomiting. When the loud sound accompanies vomiting and being unable to keep any food or fluids down, it may lead to harmful dehydration.
Diarrhea With Dehydration
You can not overlook the case when you face prolonged episodes of diarrhea.
Please observe the side symptoms of dehydration, like excessive thirst, dizziness, or reduced urine output, then seek medical assistance.
Blood In Stools
If you notice blood in your stools or have black, tarry stools, it could indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, which requires immediate medical evaluation.
What To Do With Water Noises In Stomach During Early Pregnancy?
Does your stomach make noise in early pregnancy?
Yes, and experiencing water noises in your stomach during pregnancy can be uncomfortable, but there are steps you can take to alleviate the symptoms:
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent dehydration, which can contribute to digestive discomfort. Aim for at least (2 liters) eight to ten glasses of water daily.
Maintain a Balanced Diet
Ensure that your meals include a variety of nutritious foods, including veggies, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains.
Steer clear from excessive consumption of gas-inducing foods and opt for smaller, more frequent meals instead of large, heavy ones.
Divide Meals into Smaller Portions
Eating smaller meals throughout the day can help ease digestion and reduce the likelihood of experiencing excessive gas or bloating.
Focus on eating slowly and chewing your food thoroughly.
Herbal Tea
Certain herbal teas, such as chamomile or ginger tea, may relieve digestive discomfort. Consult with your healthcare provider to ensure the safety of herbal teas during pregnancy.
It is advised to choose the appropriate ones for your situation.
Regular Exercise
Regular physical activity, such as walking, prenatal massage, and yoga, can aid digestion and promote overall well-being.
Practice within 30 minutes in the daytime is an adequate amount.
Lie on Your Left Side
When resting or sleeping, lying on your left side is a wise posture for your heart and stomach.
This position promotes better circulation and allows gravity to assist in food movement through your digestive system.
FAQs
What Stomach Noises Are Normal?
Normal stomach noises are often referred to as bowel sounds or abdominal sounds. They are produced by moving food, fluids, and gas through the gastrointestinal tract.
They can vary in intensity and frequency but are not cause for concern. Common normal stomach noises include:
Gurgling or rumbling in stomach pregnancy is often heard when the muscles in the intestines contract and move food and fluids along the digestive tract.
Borborygmi is a louder and prolonged rumbling noise that can occur when gas or air moves through the intestines.
High-pitched sounds can be heard when the small intestine contracts to propel food and liquids forward.
Normal stomach noises are typically not accompanied by pain, discomfort, or other concerning symptoms. They come and go and are considered a natural part of digestion.
However, if you experience persistent or severe abdominal pain, bloating, or changes in bowel movements along with stomach noises, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional.
What To Do When Your Stomach Is Full Of Water?
If you feel like your stomach is full of water, there are steps you can take to find relief. Stay hydrated by sipping water in small amounts to aid digestion.
Then, you can have gentle movements like walking or stretching to help digestion.
Please do not think of trying carbonated drinks, as they can contribute to gas and bloating. Instead, peppermint or ginger tea can soothe the stomach.
Applying a warm compress to your abdomen can relax muscles and alleviate fullness, and let your body relax.
Does Drinking Water Help With Bloating?
Yes, drinking water can indeed help alleviate bloating in several ways. It aids digestion by breaking down food and promoting smooth movement through the digestive system.
Thus, the bloating is reduced as much as possible.
Staying hydrated also prevents constipation, a common cause of bloating. The stool is far from stiff, and the bowel movement receives significant support.
Additionally, water acts as a natural detoxifier, helping flush out waste and toxins that contribute to bloating.
However, drinking water in moderation and avoiding excessive consumption is important, as this can lead to stomach distention.
Sipping water throughout the day and listening to your body’s hydration needs are recommended.
Conclusion
Experiencing water noises in stomach during pregnancy is a common occurrence due to various factors such as hormonal changes, peristalsis, and increased body fluids.
By staying hydrated, maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, and practicing relaxation techniques, you can support a positive pregnancy.
Please remember to note any side symptoms and consult with your healthcare provider to get the proper guidance.