Bloating and Cramping in Pregnancy

Bloating in pregnancy is caused by progesterone and oestrogens.

Progesterone relaxes the smooth muscle in your gut, which slows the progress of food through the gut, and allows it to sit and ferment a bit more, which produces more gas. Bloating and cramping caused by progesterone is usually relieved a bit when you pass gas or a bowel motion.

Oestrogens cause fluid retention, which is present in all tissues and can contribute to the feeling of being bloated.

Other things that can cause cramping and pain in pregnancy include the stretching of your ligaments as your uterus grows, a urinary tract infection, or potentially miscarriage.

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