Patient's question:
Hello, I just found out I'm four weeks and five days pregnant. My stomach has been uncomfortable for four days, but it suddenly stopped hurting since yesterday. Is this normal? Now I feel different from when I wasn't pregnant. Do I need to get a check-up?Doctor's answer:
In the early stages of pregnancy, due to the production of progesterone, the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract become relaxed and their peristalsis weakens, making it easier for acidic stomach contents to reflux into the lower esophagus. Additionally, the prolonged gastric emptying time leads to extended food retention in the intestines. Under bacterial action, this causes decomposition and fermentation, resulting in the production of large amounts of gas, which makes the pregnant woman feel bloated.