Why Do Pregnancy Farts Smell so Bad & How to Solve It

Farting is a matter of life, it’s a fact but this doesn’t mean that letting out a public toot doesn’t want to make you curl up and hide. Loud smelly gas bubbles escape leaving you feeling less than glamorous. But why do pregnancy farts smell so bad? What is the deal with the pungent odor they leave lingering?

Why Do Pregnancy Farts Smell so Bad, What’s Behind?

Why are my farts so bad during pregnancy?

Progesterone hormone is primarily responsible for smelly farts during pregnancy.

This pregnancy hormone relaxes internal muscles in preparation for the growth of your little bean but with a relaxed digestive system, you can expect a buildup of gas meaning your butt bombs are not only more frequent but smelly too!

Why Do Pregnancy Farts Stink So Bad?

Picture this, you are surrounded by family at the dinner table, your mother in law is graciously planning ahead of the arrival of your baby excited at the prospect of being a grandmother and as you stand to lift the beans you quite literally drop yours!

Does this sound familiar? The issue with pregnancy is we are led to believe it’s all cute and fluffy with preparations underway for the nursery and an endless amount of baby names whizzing around that no one expects you to become a gas bomb.

The gas you get in pregnancy can prove to be lethal at times, between the pressure your baby is placing your digestive system under and your hormones you may think, Why do pregnancy farts smell so bad?

The Nature of Farting

Flatulence is a matter of life. It’s a natural process we all have to go through no matter how prim and proper you are. Everyone farts!

From Beyonce to Julia Roberts we all fart. According to the American Pregnancy Association, the average person passes gas around 18 times a day and our bodies can produce up to 4 pints of the smelly stuff.

From burping to farting you can bet that at some point today you will have a butt bubble that will escape your bottom.

With flatulence being so common, why do we become anxious when we feel one brewing? Well, it’s the smell of course. Smelly farts are typical as the food we eat gets processed. It’s leaked as fermented gas with a rather rancid odor, it can turn you scarlet as others turn green.

Why Do Farts Smell Bad During Pregnancy?

As you sit cooing over your bump you may be considering whether you have a gastro issue, be it an intolerance to a food or something that just hasn’t agreed with your system. You may ponder why growing a cute little human can create such a shift when it comes to gas.

No need to panic, there are so many reasons why you can now clear a room after letting one rip.

1. Indigestion

Indigestion can be uncomfortable and painful whether pregnant or not. With your hormones turning everything to go slow your gut can create poisonous potions that will eventually escape. Less activity from the gut means that this pong will build up and over time create stronger longer and stinker farts than before. Indigestion can be triggered by diet change, hormones, or stress, three components that happen during pregnancy.

2. Constipation

Your bowel movements can cause chaos regarding gas. Constipation is a common symptom many of us have from time to time but being pregnant makes this even more of an issue. If you have decreased or hardened bowel movements gas can build up and sit in your intestines. Fermentation can occur which is why you’re experiencing smellier farts than before.

3. Hormones

We like to blame a lot on hormone changes but in this instance, they have a lot to answer for. Progesterone, as we know, is the team leader in relaxing our digestive system and with this on the go slow gas build up is only natural even though it may not smell like it.

Clothing Considerations

While this might sound trivial, opting for loose, comfortable clothing can alleviate some of the discomfort resulting from gas.

Herbal Interventions

A multinational study revealed that some pregnant women rely on herbs to manage pregnancy discomforts. Herbs like:

Peppermint: Known for its soothing properties.
Ginger: A renowned digestion aid.

Both might help with gas. However, consult a healthcare professional before introducing any herbal remedies.

4. Intestine Pressure

Your expanding waistline is typical for intestinal pressure. With your body not hosting a human your uterus has got to over double in size. You may feel as if a foot will one out at some point but have the reassurance that your uterus is strong. So what happens to the rest of your insides? Well, they get pushed and squished to make room. Pressure on your intestines can act like a kink in a hose then if enough water or in this case gas builds up you can expect a not too nice boots blast from time to time.

Physical Activity and Hydration Benefits

Light Exercise: Activities such as walking or prenatal yoga stimulate the gastrointestinal muscles, leading to better digestion and reduced gas. Always consult with a healthcare provider before adopting any exercise routine during pregnancy.

Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water helps with digestion and constipation, another common cause of gas during pregnancy.

Recognizing Common Digestive Issues in Pregnancy

While many digestive problems can arise during pregnancy, certain issues are more prevalent than others.

Constipation: Affecting up to 40% of pregnant women, the slowing down of the digestive system and increased water absorption from stool make constipation a top contender.
Heartburn: The backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus due to increased acid production and muscle relaxation results in heartburn, recognizable by the burning sensation in the chest and throat.
Diarrhea: Less frequent than constipation but still problematic, diarrhea stems from the liver’s increased bile production and heightened intestinal sensitivity.

Gallstones: The increased bile also brings with it the risk of gallstones, causing discomfort in the upper right abdomen.
Indigestion: A rather general term, indigestion can encapsulate discomfort from a variety of sources including constipation, heartburn, and GERD, leading to pain, bloating, and gas.

Digestive Troubles: By the Numbers

Issue	Percentage Affected	Description
Constipation	Up to 40%	Difficulty passing stool due to slowed digestive activity
Heartburn	Variable	Burning sensation due to stomach acid backflow
Diarrhea	Less common	Loose, watery stools caused by increased bile
Gallstones	Increased risk	Hard deposits in the gallbladder due to excess bile
Indigestion	Variable	Discomfort in the upper abdomen from various causes

5. Diet

We all do it. You see those positive lines and straight away you begin to analyze your diet. Adding extra fruit and vegetables, taking vitamins, and eating more often. Any change in diet can change your flatulence frequency. As you can imagine some healthy foods can create major stink bombs. Foods high in sulfur like eggs can create whoppers but before you expel any good groceries off your shopping list you may think about the benefit they have to your growing bean.

Managing Smelly Gas During Pregnancy

Tips	Benefits
Eating Slowly	Reduces the intake of air while eating, leading to less gas.
Avoiding Carbonated Drinks	Prevents the introduction of gas into the digestive system.
Drinking Plenty of Fluids	Keeps the digestive system hydrated and prevents constipation.
Chewing Food Thoroughly	Aids in the digestion process, reducing the potential for gas.
Consuming Probiotics	Balances gut bacteria, leading to improved digestion.
Stress Management Techniques	Reduces hormones that slow digestion and lead to gas buildup.

Dietary Changes and Their Impact

Adjusting your diet is one of the most potent tools you have to manage gas:

Eating Slowly: A study focusing on adult bariatric surgery patients recommended eating slowly to reduce flatulence.
Avoid Chewing Gum: This might cause you to swallow air which can contribute to gas.

Steer Clear of Gas-Producing Foods: Foods like beans, broccoli, and carbonated drinks can intensify gas production.

Smelly Farts in Pregnancy & Digestive System Changes

Why Your Digestive System Is Different When You’re Pregnant

Pregnancy is undeniably a time of tremendous changes for a woman’s body, affecting even the intricate workings of the digestive system. The digestive system, responsible for breaking down our food into essential nutrients, doesn’t remain untouched by pregnancy. It undergoes numerous changes, leading to various digestive problems which might just explain those smelly farts in pregnancy.

Hormonal Changes: The surging hormones, especially progesterone and estrogen, have a knack for relaxing the muscles in our digestive tract. This relaxing effect can slow down the movement of food through the intestines, often leading to constipation.

Abdominal Blood Flow: The blooming phase of pregnancy sees an increase in blood flow to the abdomen. This puts additional pressure on the stomach and intestines, another potential cause of constipation.
Liver Adjustments: A crucial player in the digestive game, the liver increases bile production during pregnancy to aid fat digestion. Sometimes, however, this leads to an unwanted outcome: diarrhea.
Stomach Sensitivities: Pregnancy makes the stomach produce more acid, occasionally resulting in heartburn or acid reflux.

Intestinal Sensitivity: As the intestines become more sensitive, they’re also more susceptible to disturbances from food allergies or intolerances.
Medication Impacts: Common pregnancy supplements, like iron, can add to the constipation woes.
Underlying Conditions: Existing conditions like IBS or GERD might become more pronounced during pregnancy, adding to the list of potential digestive issues.

You may also experience a momentary intolerance to certain foods. During pregnancy, anything containing garlic would crucify me with trapped wind and the gas troubles still scar my husband to this day! If you suspect an intolerance, test out your prediction by reducing or stopping that ingredient.

Are Smelly Farts Normal During Pregnancy?

Yes, it is completely normal. Toxic blasts from your behind are totally normal during pregnancy.

Physically as your baby grows the space inside your abdomen reduces significantly leaving you with built up fumes ready to explode when you least expect it.

Pair this with your hormone activity creating havoc on your normal system functions and you may wonder why pregnant women aren’t continuously covered in a green fog.

There are ways to help your flatulence like chewing your food properly, keeping on top of water intake, and exercising to help shift built up gas but overall your body is naturally responding to the magnificent changes going on inside.

Trust me when I say don’t try and hold your bottom blasts in. Credit is due to you if you can, I didn’t have such control, but holding gas in will hurt. Traveling back up your intestines will only double the amount that will eventually escape.

Distinguishing Between Normal and Excessive Gas During Pregnancy

We often get asked, “do farts smell worse when pregnant?” and the answer is – it depends on the frequency and intensity of the gas. Most women are familiar with the sensation of increased flatulence during pregnancy. But, ladies, while some increase in gas is normal, it’s crucial to understand the difference between the everyday “I-ate-broccoli” toot and the excessive gas that makes you wonder if something’s off.

Normal Gas During Pregnancy

Our bodies, in all their miraculous ways, change during pregnancy. One such change is in the production of the hormone Progesterone. This hormone has the unique task of relaxing smooth muscles in our body, including those in the gastrointestinal tract. The relaxation is a double-edged sword. On one side, it helps in the growth of your baby, and on the other, it slows down digestion. This can lead to gas building up in the stomach, small intestine, and colon.1

The average person, when not expecting, lets out gas around 20 times a day. If you find yourself around this number during pregnancy, you’re in the clear!

Recognizing Excessive Gas

While some additional tooting is expected, it’s crucial to identify when it crosses the line:

Passing gas more than 20 times a day? It’s a sign.
If your farts are causing everyone to evacuate the room because of their volume or odor, take note.

Pain or discomfort after every bean burrito? Might be more than just the burrito.
Accompanying symptoms can include bloating, diarrhea, or constipation.

Table:

Signs of Excessive Gas	Description
Frequency	More than 20 times a day
Loudness & Smell	Significantly loud or overly smelly
Physical Discomfort	Pain or discomfort post passing gas
Additional Symptoms	Bloating, diarrhea, or constipation

Now, you may wonder what’s causing this excessive gas. Sometimes it’s those gas-producing foods – beans, broccoli, or that sneaky soda. These foods are notorious for causing gas, especially when pregnant2. Another culprit? Constipation, an all-too-common guest during pregnancy.

The Science Behind It

Pregnancy, while being one of the most beautiful phases in a woman’s life, is also a period of immense change. The body is not just growing a baby; it’s also adjusting its primary functions to ensure optimal conditions for the fetus4.

Your body’s respiratory patterns adapt to cater to the oxygen needs of both you and your growing baby. As your baby grows, your diaphragm gets a nudge upwards, and your chest broadens. These changes lead to a 40% increase in the amount of air you breathe in during normal breathing5.

Wrapping It Up

Why do pregnancy farts smell so bad? It’s clear that farting during pregnancy can become more intense with both the force and smell. Your pregnancy can be full of cute preparations and relaxation techniques but if you are suffering from boots blasts that last take it as reassurance that your body is getting rid of what it doesn’t need.

There’s no cure for the embarrassment you may face but the positive sides could be you can indulge in more alone solitude and focus on your meditation techniques.

There is no true way of preventing pregnancy gas and trying to disguise it is near impossible. I always blamed the bump, after all, it is the main reason you have a secret stench weapon in your pants.

Know this, ladies, you are not alone. Anyone who has been pregnant will sympathize with wind trouble. We all experience it at varying points in pregnancy but no matter if you clear the room or not the saying “better out than in” is never more true.

FAQs

What factors in food lead to increased gas?

While the digestive process naturally produces gas, certain foods can increase gas production. Foods that are high in fiber, such as beans, lentils, broccoli, and cabbage, can cause more gas. Additionally, carbonated drinks, artificial sweeteners, and high-fat foods can lead to increased flatulence.

This is due to the fermentation process in the colon when bacteria break down food particles. When pregnant, the sensitivity to these foods might heighten, and adjusting your diet can help in managing excessive gas.

How do the bacteria in our gut contribute to smelly farts?

Our gut is home to a diverse range of bacteria that assist in breaking down food. As these bacteria metabolize the food we consume, they produce various gases as by-products. Some of these gases, like hydrogen sulfide, have a distinct odor.

The amount and type of bacteria in the gut can influence the smell of the gas released. In pregnancy, with changes in diet and hormones, there can be a shift in the gut microbiome composition, leading to changes in the smell of the gas produced.

Why do some people feel more bloated during pregnancy?

Bloating, like farting, can become more pronounced during pregnancy. This bloating feeling can be attributed to the slowing down of the digestive system due to hormonal changes, especially the increase in progesterone.

As the digestive process slows down, it can lead to more gas being trapped in the digestive tract, causing a bloated sensation. Moreover, the physical expansion of the uterus pushes against other organs, contributing to the feeling of fullness and bloating.

Does one’s position or posture affect gas release during pregnancy?

Yes, the way you sit or lie down can influence gas build-up and release. Sitting for prolonged periods or lying down right after eating can slow down the digestive process and cause gas to be trapped.

On the other hand, positions like walking or standing can facilitate the movement of gas through the digestive tract. Some pregnant women also find relief from gas pains by lying on their left side, as this position can help move gas through the colon more efficiently.

Can exercises or yoga help with excessive farting during pregnancy?

Absolutely. Engaging in gentle exercises or specific yoga poses can help in alleviating gas pain and reducing flatulence. Activities like walking or swimming can stimulate the digestive process and aid in the release of trapped gas.

Some yoga poses, like the ‘Child’s Pose’ or the ‘Wind-Relieving Pose’, are designed to alleviate digestive discomfort and help release trapped gas. Regular practice can help in managing and reducing excessive gas during pregnancy.

How does stress affect farting during pregnancy?

Stress can have a significant effect on our digestive system. When stressed, the body produces certain hormones that can slow down digestion, leading to increased gas build-up. Additionally, stress can alter the gut microbiome balance, leading to changes in gas composition and frequency.

During pregnancy, when women might already be experiencing hormonal changes that affect digestion, additional stress can exacerbate the issue of increased flatulence.

Are there natural remedies to reduce gas during pregnancy?

Yes, there are several natural approaches to managing excessive gas during pregnancy:

Herbal Teas: Chamomile or peppermint tea can help soothe the digestive tract and reduce bloating and gas.

Dietary Changes: Reducing intake of gas-causing foods or drinks can help manage flatulence.
Warm Bath: Taking a warm bath can relax the abdominal muscles, providing relief from gas pains.
Ginger: Consuming ginger, either in foods or as a tea, can aid in digestion and reduce gas.

Fennel Seeds: Chewing on fennel seeds post meals can act as a digestive aid, reducing bloating and gas.

Is it safe to take over-the-counter medications for gas during pregnancy?

While there are several over-the-counter remedies available for gas relief, it’s essential to be cautious during pregnancy. Some may be safe, but it’s always wise to thoroughly research and even discuss with a pharmacist about the safety profile of the medicine you consider taking during pregnancy.

How do digestive enzymes impact gas during pregnancy?

Digestive enzymes play a crucial role in breaking down the food we eat. If the body lacks certain enzymes, it can lead to improper digestion of specific food components, leading to increased gas production as the food ferments in the colon.

During pregnancy, changes in diet or decreased enzyme production can result in more flatulence. Some pregnant women might benefit from enzyme supplements, but it’s essential to ensure they’re safe for use during pregnancy.

Do other mammals experience increased flatulence during pregnancy?

Yes, other mammals can also experience digestive changes during pregnancy, similar to humans.

While it’s challenging to measure the exact increase in flatulence in animals, it’s understood that hormonal changes, increased pressure on the digestive system due to growing offspring, and dietary changes can all contribute to increased gas production in pregnant mammals. Just like in humans, this is a natural part of the reproductive process.