Why do pregnant women experience more farting?

It seems like everything is falling into place. You're right in the middle of your second trimester, feeling full of energy and thrilled that the morning sickness is finally behind you. Your appetite has returned, and you're able to tolerate family and strangers with a smile. When your in-laws suggest dinner at your favorite restaurant, you happily agree without hesitation.

After browsing the menu and ordering a lavish four-course meal, you settle in for a delicious evening. But just as you reach for your water glass, your napkin slips off your lap and falls to the floor. As you lean down to pick it up, an unexpected sound escapes from you—so loud it cuts through the atmosphere, leaving everyone in the room momentarily stunned. In the silence that follows, heads turn and some diners try to stifle their laughter. Your in-laws look embarrassed, and your partner quickly steps in with small talk to divert attention from your now infamous fart.

Farting is a natural occurrence, and during pregnancy, it seems to happen more frequently. What causes this increase in flatulence? Once a woman becomes pregnant, her body starts setting up a behind-the-scenes process, with pregnancy hormones taking the lead. An increase in progesterone sends a message to the digestive system: 'Slow down,' it tells it. 'Don't rush digestion.'

This leads to slower absorption in a pregnant woman's digestive system, as much as 30 percent slower than usual. The result is the production of more gas, and this gas has to escape somehow, typically in the form of a burp or a fart [source: American Pregnancy Association].

As the uterus expands throughout pregnancy, it competes for space in the abdominal cavity, pressing on the intestines, stomach, bladder, and other organs. This causes digestion to slow down, and for many women, the urge to pass gas increases. Additionally, the rise in progesterone causes muscles to relax in preparation for childbirth, making it harder to hold in the gas [source: Murry].

There are a few strategies to help manage this. Watch for foods that tend to cause flatulence. These triggers can differ from person to person, and even pregnancy to pregnancy. For example, some women may find broccoli or beans are problematic, while others may not experience any issues. If you feel particularly gassy after eating, try to recall what you ate, as one or more foods may be the cause.

Be sure to drink plenty of water, as it aids digestion and helps prevent constipation. Eating smaller meals and chewing thoroughly may also help. Regular, moderate exercise can keep your digestion moving and help food pass through without creating excess gas [source: American Pregnancy Association].