Dr. Bergman says that taking antacids and eating foods that are more easily digestible can decrease this process, causing less gas buildup – and, as a result, less belching.

Many women are also bothered by increased flatulence. "As the baby grows, the digestive tract gets squished, and there is no room for the gas to go but out the other end," says Jaena Stanley-Gonzaga, a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine from Elgin, Ill. She recommends that pregnant women minimize consumption of carbonated drinks and acidifying foods as well as take note of what they eat so that they are more aware of the foods that exacerbate gas.

Some expectant mothers quickly discover that the jokes about pregnant women always having to go to the bathroom are quite true. But the inconvenience of having to use the washroom frequently is anything but funny.

"Women need to empty their bladder more frequently during pregnancy due to two main causes," Dr. Flood-Shaffer says. "One, most women try to be healthier and drink more water, which will make them void more often. Also, the enlarging uterus presses on the bladder – which sits right over the front of the uterus – from the earliest stages of pregnancy." To deal with the issue, Dr. Flood-Shaffer suggests that pregnant women empty their bladders on a regular schedule during the day, directly before bed and upon waking.

Some women also experience bladder leakage. To gain better bladder control, Dr. Flood-Shaffer suggests doing Kegel exercises regularly. (Kegels focus on the muscles of the pelvic floor. When contracted, these same muscles stop the flow of urine. Consult your doctor or physical therapist if you're unsure of the Kegel technique.) "On average, a good recommendation is that you do them five times daily with five to 10 repetitions each time, holding each contraction of the muscle about 10 seconds for best results," she says.

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