Pregnancy is a time of adjustment and changes- not only on a physical level, but also on a mental and emotional level. One of the common physical changes during pregnancy is the presence of a gurgling or rumbling stomach. This can often occur during the second trimester, when the baby’s growth and development is most rapid. This gurgling stomach phenomenon can cause a great deal of discomfort for pregnant women, in addition to being an unsettling sensation for those around them. In this blog post, we will explore why gurgling stomachs are common during the second trimester, along with techniques on how to manage and alleviate the symptoms. We will also discuss why further medical attention may be necessary depending on the severity and frequency of the stomach gurgling.
What causes a gurgling stomach during pregnancy and is it normal?
Your digestive system slows down because of hormonal changes during pregnancy. This can lead to gas, bloating and even constipation.
I always believed that mother nature was attempting to extract every nutrient from my food so that it could provide it to the unborn child.
However, the hormones cause your uterus and the muscles surrounding your pelvis to relax, which slows down your digestive system. Additionally, it delays the passage of bile through your intestinal system into your food.
The good news is that most of the time, these gastric disturbances won’t harm you or your unborn child. However, it is best to speak with your doctor if you have any concerns about the gurgling sounds coming from your stomach.
Be completely upfront with your healthcare provider about your digestive system. Are you experiencing a lot of gas or constipation? If so, talk to them about it so they can possibly offer you some solutions for your gurgling stomach.
Oh, I do have a fantastic resource guide with some great links on eating sensibly while pregnant that you might also like (totally free):
Although it’s not directly related, you might be interested in my entire post on how to avoid pooping at delivery.
Your baby’s weight and length at the end of the second trimester will be around 1 3/4 pounds and 13 inches, respectively. Fingers, toes, eyelashes, and eyebrows begin to develop. By the end of the second trimester, all of your baby’s vital organs, including the heart, lungs, and kidneys, are formed. Around the fifth month, you might feel your baby move.
Vernix, a pasty white coating that protects your baby’s sensitive skin, has been applied. Your baby’s body is covered in lanugo, a fine, down-like hair found beneath the vernix. Your babys kidneys are already producing urine. The amniotic sac, which envelops and safeguards your baby, receives the urine excretion. If you haven’t yet felt your baby move, you soon will because they have the ability to make reflexive muscle movements.
The substance that enables the air sacs in the lungs to expand, surfactant, is starting to be produced in your baby’s lungs. The skin will start to become less transparent and fat production will increase, giving your baby a more newborn-like appearance. Some babies born at 23 weeks can survive with intensive medical care.
The effect of hormones becomes apparent this week. For boys, the prostate gland is developing. The ovaries for females transition from the abdomen to the pelvis. Your baby’s intestinal tract produces meconium, which will become their first bowel movement, typically occurring soon after birth. The roof of your babys mouth will be completely formed.
This test is performed between 10-12 weeks of pregnancy. To access the placenta, your healthcare provider must either insert a catheter through your cervix or a needle into your abdomen. Then, your doctor extracts a sample of placental cells. This test is unable to determine whether your unborn child has open neural tube defects.
It seems like I’m always on the verge of getting the stomach flu. Although my stomach is constantly grumbling, gurgling, and hurting as though I were about to vomit, I don’t. I simply have constant diarrhoea (by constant, I don’t mean I have to go to the bathroom constantly; rather, I mean whenever I poop, is that that and not normal) If you read my post from yesterday, you’ll understand that I don’t want to call a doctor about this. Is this normal? Is this just a part of being pregnant? Is it just me, or do other people seem to be in a constant state of feeling crummy?
FAQ
Why does your stomach make gurgling noises when pregnant?
What are the danger signs of pregnancy for second trimester?
- Vaginal discharge – change in type (watery, mucous, bloody)
- Lower abdominal or pelvic pressure.
- Low, dull backache.
- Abdominal cramps, with or without diarrhea (may feel like menstrual cramps)
Is it normal to have a bubbly stomach while pregnant?
Why is my stomach upset second trimester?