Can You Take Gas X While Pregnant? How to Relieve Pregnancy Gas

I was more than a little freaked out when I developed stomach pain during my second pregnancy—but my ob-gyn told me it was likely pregnancy gas. I was relieved, of course (and a little embarrassed).

Painful gas during pregnancy is, unfortunately, common and normal. But that truth doesn’t make it any less unpleasant to experience.

The good news? There are ways to fight the “wind” that’s brewing. Read on for everything you need to know about gas in pregnancy, including treatments (both natural and OTC) and when to call your doctor.

Key Takeaways

• Pregnancy gas timeline: Gas often starts early in the first trimester, and can persist in the second and third trimesters. It can even start as soon as a week after conception.
• Reasons for painful gas during pregnancy: Rising progesterone relaxes your muscles and slows digestion. Plus, your expanding uterus can press on the intestines and contribute to pregnancy gas.
• Natural ways to relieve pregnancy gas: Try various poses (like child’s pose and cat-cow), avoid foods that aggravate the situation and drink plenty of water.
• Safe OTC medications to treat pregnancy gas: Yes, you can take Gas-X while pregnant, as well as Mylanta and Tums.
• Call your doctor if you have intense pain, nausea, excessive vomiting, bloody stools or a fever above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

When Does Gas Start and Peak in Pregnancy?

“Gas can start early in the first trimester due to progesterone slowing digestion,” says Patricia A. Evans, NP, CNM, lead midwife at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. “It may persist and often worsens in the second and third trimesters, as the uterus grows and presses on the intestines.”

You may even notice gas and bloating as soon as a week after you conceive, adds Dr. Jacqueline Marecheau, MD, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Episcopal Health Services in Far Rockaway, New York.

But is gas a sign of pregnancy?

Gas can hint that you’re pregnant, but it’s common in and outside of pregnancy, so it’s certainly not a dead giveaway. The surest signs of pregnancy are a missed period and a positive pregnancy test.

Exactly What Causes Gas in Pregnancy?

The main reason for increased gas during pregnancy is increased levels of the hormone progesterone, according to the American Pregnancy Association (APA). Progesterone causes the muscles throughout your body to relax, which can cause your digestion to slow down—contributing to gas. Later in pregnancy, your growing uterus places pressure on the digestive system, which can also allow gas to build up.

What Are Some Natural Ways to Relieve Pregnancy Gas?

There are quite a few natural remedies for painful gas during pregnancy. These include trying positions to help move things along and avoiding certain foods that can trigger or exacerbate gas.

Positions to relieve gas in pregnancy

These positions may help relieve gas in pregnancy, according to Dr. Marecheau:

• Child’s pose. To do this yoga position, kneel on the ground and bend forward at the waist. Your hips should be back toward your heels and arms are stretched forward.
• Knee-to-chest pose. Lay down on your side and pull your knees toward your chest. This works best in the first and early second trimester, when your belly is smaller, Dr. Marecheau notes.
• Cat-cow pose. Get on all fours and alternate between arching and flexing your back.
• Left-side pose. Lay on your left side—this may help gas bubbles move out more quickly.
• Squatting. Stand with your feet hip-width apart, then bend at the knees. You may want to hold onto a wall, chair back or railing for help with balance.

Gassy foods to avoid in pregnancy

We know there are already a lot of food rules during pregnancy. But if you’re experiencing painful gas during pregnancy, you could try eliminating some of these foods and seeing if it helps. (Some of these are healthy foods, so temporarily limiting them is best!)

• Fried foods
• Dairy
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Beans
• Brussels sprouts
• Carbonated drinks
• Artificial sweeteners

You can also try keeping a food journal to see if there’s anything else that makes your pregnancy gas flare up.

Other lifestyle tips for relieving pregnancy gas

Below, a few more tips to help deal with pregnancy gas:

• Eat small, regular meals.
• Eat and drink slowly to keep from swallowing excess air. (This can help with acid reflux too.)
• Drink without a straw, again, to avoid swallowing bubbles.
• Wear loose clothing to keep comfy while you’re battling the bloat.
• Drink plenty of liquids and eat high-fiber foods to ward off constipation.
• Exercise, as this can help stimulate digestion.

OTC Medications to Treat Pregnancy Gas: What’s Safe—and What’s Not

Got gas? You can safely treat it with some over-the-counter medications during pregnancy. Here’s what’s typically considered safe—plus, medications to steer clear of for now.

What’s typically considered safe:

• Calcium carbonate antacids (Tums, Rolaids)
• Simethicone (Gas-X, Mylanta, Dulcogas, Mylicon)
• Alpha-galactosidase (Beano)
• H2 receptor antagonists (Pepcid)
• Proton pump inhibitors (Prilosec) (for persistent symptoms)

What’s not considered safe:

• Some stimulant laxatives, unless prescribed by doctor (Ex-Lax)
• Certain herbal remedies (castor oil)
• Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)
• Antacids with sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer)
• Magnesium trisilicate (Gaviscon)

Still feeling confused (and gassy)? Here, some common questions about specific medications for pregnancy gas.

Can you take Gas X while pregnant?

Simethicone—the active ingredient in Gas-X and other gas relievers—is generally safe to take during pregnancy, says Dr. Danny Benjamin, MD, FACOG, an ob-gyn at Metro Obstetrics & Gynecology and chief of obstetrics and gynecology at Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital in Detroit.

Can you take Mylanta for gas while pregnant?

Mylanta is usually considered safe to take for gas in pregnancy too. “Many antacids—including some Mylanta formulations—are considered safe, particularly those with calcium or magnesium,” midwife Evans says. That said, she recommends always checking the labels for warnings just to be safe.

Can you take Tums for pregnancy gas?

Tums, the brand name for calcium carbonate, are generally considered safe to take for pregnancy gas. Make sure to pay attention to dosage and frequency—taking too much over time can lead to kidney stones. Rolaids, which contain calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide, also typically get the green light.

Can you take Lactaid while pregnant?

There’s not a ton of data on taking Lactaid while pregnant, but it’s generally considered safe. Make sure to discuss with your doctor.

Can you have Metamucil while pregnant?

Yes, Metamucil—a bulk-forming laxative containing psyllium—is generally considered safe for pregnancy because it isn’t absorbed by the body, according to Mayo Clinic.

Can you take Pepto Bismol for gas while pregnant?

Pepto-Bismol (aka bismuth subsalicylate) isn’t recommended for gas while pregnant. “It contains bismuth subsalicylate, which is related to aspirin and may pose risks,” Evans says. (High doses of aspirin are considered unsafe for pregnancy, although low-dose aspirin is considered safe and sometimes prescribed for those with a risk of preeclampsia.)

When Does Pregnancy Gas Stop?

There’s no set timeline for pregnancy gas. It can last all throughout pregnancy and even into the postpartum period. “Pregnant women frequently complain of bloating and gas in pregnancy,” says Dr. Benjamin. Still, “it usually improves after delivery as hormones normalize and pressure on the intestines decreases,” Evans says. Dr. Marecheau says you can expect to be back at your baseline by around six weeks postpartum.

When to Call the Doctor About Pregnancy Gas

Typically, a little bout of painful gas during pregnancy is nothing to worry about. But you should contact your doctor if you’re also experiencing:

• Severe nausea
• Excessive vomiting
• Bloody stools
• Stomach pain that’s persistent, severe or comes with vaginal bleeding
• A fever above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit

If you think your abdominal pains could actually be contractions, call your ob-gyn right away. Even if you’re wrong, it’s best to be on the safe side. (And you definitely wouldn’t be the first mom-to-be to mistake gas for labor contractions!)

To Sum It Up

Painful gas during pregnancy is unfortunately all too common—but thankfully, there are plenty of options for relief, from natural remedies to taking over-the-counter medications like Gas-X while pregnant. Make sure to speak with your provider about your options.

How We Developed This Article

Gas in pregnancy is an all-too-real (although slightly embarrassing) issue for many moms-to-be. To learn more about pregnancy gas, including how to treat it, we spoke with three ob-gyns and a midwife. We also scoured The Bump community forums to find real-mom experiences with gas in pregnancy. And, one of our own editors shared her encounter with pregnancy gas. After editing, this article was vetted through fact-check and reviewed by our ob-gyn medical adviser. Learn more about how we ensure the accuracy of our content through our editorial and medical review process.

About the author: Korin Miller is a mom of four who’s experienced pregnancy gas (no shame!), especially during her second pregnancy. As an experienced health and pregnancy writer and parent, Korin infuses every article she touches with empathy and words of personal wisdom. Her work has appeared in publications such as Women’s Health, Prevention, Cosmopolitan and The Washington Post.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.