What’s going on when pregnant women always hear bubbling sounds in their stomachs?

Pregnant women pay close attention to their bodies during pregnancy, so they will feel extremely uneasy about any discomfort in their body. For example, many pregnant women will experience some gurgling sounds in their stomachs during pregnancy, and this sound is often accompanied by some bubbling sounds. Let's take a look at what's going on when pregnant women often hear bubbling sounds in their stomachs? I hope everyone can understand.

When the intestine moves, the gas and liquid in the intestinal cavity flow along with it, producing an intermittent sound of gas passing through water (or gurgling sound), which is called bowel sounds. Under normal circumstances, bowel sounds occur regularly, 4 to 5 times per minute. It can be heard throughout the abdomen, with large variations in frequency, sound and pitch. It is frequent and obvious after meals, and sparse and weak during rest. To accurately assess the frequency and nature of bowel sounds, auscultation should be performed at a fixed location for at least 1 minute.

The main reasons why pregnant women often hear bubbling sounds in their stomachs are the following. Pregnant women can understand them and do not need to worry too much about other problems.

1. Active bowel sounds

Increased intestinal motility and bowel sounds at 6 to 10 times per minute are called active bowel sounds, which are seen in acute gastroenteritis, after taking laxatives, or when there is massive gastrointestinal bleeding.

2. Hyperactive bowel sounds

If the frequency increases (more than 10 times/minute), the tone is loud and high-pitched, or even jingling or metallic, it is called hyperactive bowel sounds, which is seen in mechanical intestinal obstruction.

3. Weakened bowel sounds

Intestinal motility slows down and weakens, and the frequency of bowel sounds decreases. Bowel sounds are heard once every few minutes (3 to 5 minutes), which is called weakened bowel sounds. It is seen in senile constipation, peritonitis, electrolyte imbalance (hypokalemia), and poor gastrointestinal motility.

4. Bowel sounds disappear

If no bowel sounds are heard for 3 to 5 minutes and no bowel sounds are heard by tapping or scratching the abdomen with fingers, it is called absent bowel sounds, which is seen in paralytic intestinal obstruction or acute peritonitis.

Be careful to avoid spicy, greasy, cold food, and food that is difficult to digest. Drink plenty of water and eat more fresh fruits and vegetables to improve your condition.