Bloating after eating! Anyone else?

[Jewels]

Hi ladies! I know I can't be the only one! I'm going on 19 weeks and I'm really frustrated because I feel like my stomach bloats every time I eat, and it's very uncomfy! It's worst after dinner, then I go to bed uncomfortable, and am having a hard time sleeping because of the bloating. It generally lasts all night and into the morning, and radiates to my back. TMI but I'm not constipated, and I'm also taking Metamucil daily. It's just not digesting quick enough!

I probably should be eating smaller portions, but it's difficult when I'm so freakin' hungry sometimes! I've tried Gas X after eating dinner, and it didn't help at all. I'm attempting to drink water, but I'm not much of a water drinker and it tends to make the full feeling worse.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance

 

[Ninagrrl]

This might not help you any but you could try 2 - 3 days of going gluten free and see if you have an intolerance. I know that I was so bloated in the beginning of my pregnancy that at 13 weeks I looked 6 months pregnant and I felt uncomfotable and hurt. I was put on a diet because of my diabetes that just so happened to be grain free for 2 weeks to try and jumpstart my diet.

I ended up finding out that I was gluten intolerant so I did some research. Apparently, you could be intolerant to something in pregnancy that you aren't normally intolerant too or like in my case, pregnancy can make the symptoms worse. At first I didn't quite trust that this was it but now if I try to eat something with gluten in it, I bloat and hurt all over and it's even worse after being free of it for a while.

It wouldn't hurt and if the bloating doesn't go away you could try going without dairy for a few days, then without corn products for a few days and what not. Most cases of regular stomach bloat is caused by a food intolerance. Although, it's also a common symptom of pregnancy so it might just be something that you have to wait out.

I am now 20 weeks and look smaller now then I did at 13 weeks because all of my bloat is gone.

 

[maybebaby87]

I too bloat after eating! I have IBS-C, GERD/GORD and a hiatus hernia. I have been tested for all types of intolerance and am all clear. I have tried various diets before falling pregnant and none worked! Unfortunately i have to live with it. I try to avoid too many fizzy drinks and too much bread as i think that makes me feel worse, although i can literally drink water and still feel bloated!! I hope your symptoms are caused by something much more simple and you can rid of them. I can't emphasise more - water water water!!!

 

[jazzandru]

I'm only 20 weeks and already cannot eat as much in one meal as I normally do or I get too uncomfortable. I try to eat more meals but make each one smaller so I never really get full. If I eat too much I find my body wants to get rid of it and I very quickly find I am visiting the toilet.

I agree with the gluten/wheat/dairy thing. It is worth cutting them out one at a time to see if that helps. Just be sure you are still getting a balanced diet.

 

[mamaofthree]

Oh my goodness! I'm suffering terribly! I also have IBS and GERD and can't eat anything high fat, and have to eat little and often. I honestly think the majority of my weight gain is bloat! It's horrendous! X

 

[jammers77]

When I started eating smaller portions, my bloat got better. HOWEVER, I also suffer from constipation all the time, and there's a battle and a half! I guzzle the water, eat small meals, and eat prunes like they're cake! lol

 

[waitingfor]

I agree with what others have suggested. Also, don't let yourself get hungry. If I go more than a couple of hours without eating, my stomach acid irritates my stomach and I get painful bloating. Eating doesn't get rid of it so I try not to get hungry in the first place.

 

[krys]

I get really bloated after I eat. It's actually the only time I even look pregnant.

 

[Ninagrrl]

I agree with what others have suggested. Also, don't let yourself get hungry. If I go more than a couple of hours without eating, my stomach acid irritates my stomach and I get painful bloating. Eating doesn't get rid of it so I try not to get hungry in the first place.

Amazing thing that happens during pregnancy. If you go to long without food your stomach can turn acidic which isn't good for baby so your body produces cortisol and puts it in your stomach. Dunno if it causes bloat or not but in a diabetic it causes blood sugar to rise so I have to take a slow acting insulin before bed so the cortisol doesn't make me too high.

 

[Perplexed]

I also get bloated after eating. I've suffered bloating even prior to pregnancy, and it got especially worse around periods and so on. I was athletic and didn't really have a belly but it got so easily and constantly bloated it looked like a belly anyway... a group class trainer at my gym told me some of her private clients started going on gluten-free diets and it was the only thing that caused their bloating to subside and suggested I try the same thing.

I've personally yet to try going completely gluten-free. Started getting gluten-free rice etc but quite a bunch of other things I eat are not gluten-free. It might be a completely different intolerance also. And I am sure other reasons such as eating fast or portions I eat are a cause. I do have quite a visible bump but I do have awful bloats after meals, and they can get terribly uncomfortable. It has been considerably worse since becoming pregnant.

It is probably time for me to get checked for any food-intolerance...maybe get advice from a dietitian at some point. But it's been so difficult to do anything the past few months! Been so exhausted and can barely leave the house lol...

I hope your bloating issues get better.

 

[Bella1185]

Wow - can totally relate to all the above! I actually ended up in the ER a few weeks ago as i was sooo uncomfortable, DH thought i had a hiatal hernia, severe food allergy, gluten problem etc etc. But nope! Just bloating/indigestion/acid etc etc from all that's going on in pregnancy (started at 19 weeks - i am 25 now!). I have tried EVERYTHING (really, name it, pill, diet, vitamin,-- ive done it) but just recently got recommended Digestive Enzyme capsules - NOT to be confused with "Probiotics" - totally different. I kinda rolled my eyes like ohh okay sure my stomach is missing these magical little enzymes and when i have them they are really gunna just knock this bloat/heartburn right out! But wow it has been a HUGE IMPROVEMENT! I cant even tell you!!! My "bump" literally shrank half the size (was sorta disheartening lol) because all the bloating finally let up - and i haven't had a lick of heartburn since I started on these! Doc says capsules are safe for baby, and truthfully I was so miserable I figured baby cant be too happy either so what the heck.....Serious. Miracle. Worker.

They are called "Digest 13" and the brand is "Nature's Bounty". I think we bought them at the grocery in the "Natural and Organic" section here in the US, but I am sure there are a million different brands widely available! I've never suggested any sort of alternative remedy before, so I am not sure of how it could affect each individual woman - but for me these were way way worth the money. Sometimes you can get a buy one get one free coupon at grocery/Whole Foods etc. Posted a pic below!

Hope this can help you guys!!!

 

[bornfree78]

Congrats on your pregnancy Jewels and other mums to-be! You have got some great advice on this thread, Jewels...hope your digestion problem resolves soon. God bless you all with a healthy n happy 9 months.

 

[Ninagrrl]

I also get bloated after eating. I've suffered bloating even prior to pregnancy, and it got especially worse around periods and so on. I was athletic and didn't really have a belly but it got so easily and constantly bloated it looked like a belly anyway... a group class trainer at my gym told me some of her private clients started going on gluten-free diets and it was the only thing that caused their bloating to subside and suggested I try the same thing.

I've personally yet to try going completely gluten-free. Started getting gluten-free rice etc but quite a bunch of other things I eat are not gluten-free. It might be a completely different intolerance also. And I am sure other reasons such as eating fast or portions I eat are a cause. I do have quite a visible bump but I do have awful bloats after meals, and they can get terribly uncomfortable. It has been considerably worse since becoming pregnant.

It is probably time for me to get checked for any food-intolerance...maybe get advice from a dietitian at some point. But it's been so difficult to do anything the past few months! Been so exhausted and can barely leave the house lol...

I hope your bloating issues get better.

Most rice is wheat gluten free except for some rice mixes. White, brown and wild are all naturally gluten free. The only thing is on how sensitive you are like cross contamination (from being in the same warehouse room and/or using same equipment as foods that contain gluten). Oats are naturally gluten free but something about them get cross contaminated easily. All bread and pasta has gluten unless otherwise noted, flour, most sausage (most Jimmy Dean is gluten free except for maple), soy sauce, most ketchup, some cottage cheeses, cheese sauce and pretty much all processed foods have gluten in it. There is a lot more but pretty much unprocessed meats, vegetables, fruits and most dairy are gluten free. Look for ingredients such as wheat, modified food starch and caramel colouring. Also may hide in "natural flavours".

I find I am not too sensitive and eat French fries (although all steak fries seem to be gluten free), ketchup, soy sauce, potato bread and a few others that don't bother me much so cross contamination isn't an issue for me but bread, pasta and flour makes my body ache for days and causes my irritable bowel syndrome to flare up.