Farting, burping and bloating your way through pregnancy? Here's what’s normal (and what actually works to stop it)

Take it from Helen, a MadeForMums community member: “One day I was doubled up in the bathroom convinced I was having a heart attack… I was just about to call 999 when I burped—what joy!”

Wind in pregnancy is a very real thing, and for some mums-to-be, it's no laughing matter (except, well, sometimes it absolutely is).

Why pregnancy makes you so windy

Blame it on the hormones. As your progesterone levels rise, the muscles in your digestive tract relax. That means everything slows down—including your digestion—giving gas more time to build up and cause bloating, burping and some seriously epic trumps.

Obstetrician Dr Claire Hein explains: “Hormones can play a role in trapped wind in pregnancy but diet is also very important. Bloating can make the bowel sluggish. This can be exacerbated by a diet poor in fibre and roughage—some pregnancy cravings can mean we favour chocolate and cake rather than fruit and vegetables.”

Plus, as your bump grows, baby pushes on your stomach and intestines, making it even harder for gas to pass. Delightful.

“HELP ME, I’M GOING TO EXPLODE!” Real mums on their worst wind moments

I've got the most horrendous pain in my right side and my back. I was literally screaming with pain and being sick. I went to hospital thinking something was seriously wrong—turns out it was probably trapped wind. It hurt more when I breathed... and obviously I can't stop breathing!

I had it really bad once and thought I was going to explode. I'd had pasta that night, so now I avoid it completely and eat really small meals—I’m so scared of it happening again.

I'm up two or three times a night with trapped wind pains. The doctor told me to sit on the loo and rock—it actually helps!

Foods that cause the most wind (you’ve been warned)

Some foods are gas-lighting you. Yes, even the healthy ones. Here’s what might be turning your bump into a balloon:

• Broccoli
• Apples – “I avoid apples like the plague!” says MFM mum Ruth.
• Lentils
• Beans and pulses
• Cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower
• Onions
• Raisins and prunes
• Pasta (for some) – “Never again,” says Georgia.

Everyone’s different, so keep a little food diary if you’re trying to figure out what sets you off.

Smart (and safe) ways to beat the bloat

Try these quick, pregnancy-safe wind busters—with bonus mum-approved tips and tricks:

• Drink peppermint or ginger tea: Calms a churning tummy and is totally bump-safe in moderation.
• Walk it out: Light movement gets things going. Lauren from MFM says, “It was so painful—I just walked around the house and it started to ease.”
• Toilet rocking: Yes, really. Sit, rock gently back and forth. Hayley swears by it.
• Yoga-cat pose: Go on all fours, rest forearms on the floor and sway. Carly says, “That should shift it!”
• Chew slowly: This is not a sandwich speed-eating competition. Slow bites = less swallowed air.
• Medications: Dr Hein recommends peppermint water, Lactulose and Buscopan (but always talk to your GP or midwife first before taking anything).

Yes, we’re still laughing about fart stories

Farts may not be glamorous—but they are bonding. From group chats to hospital waiting rooms, nothing says “pregnancy” like letting one rip and hoping no one notices. Here are some of our community's favourite fart stories:

Like Helen’s almost-emergency:
"I was about to call 999, then I burped. Never been so happy to let out a massive belch!"

Or Lucie's false alarm:
“I thought I was having a heart attack. Nope, just wind.”

And we loved this anonymous mum's incredible confession:
“My husband thought the dog did it. I didn’t correct him.”