Many pregnant women question if it’s okay to chew gum. Do sweeteners count?
Is it okay if you ingest the gum by mistake?
What happens if you swallow gum while pregnant is a frequently searched question.
Gum chewing is a normal event, and most individuals do not hesitate to buy a pack of gum.
It can help you be more alert, burn calories, decrease nausea and serve as a mouth refresher.
This is why many ladies use chewing gum to help them sleep better in the morning.
Many pregnant women worry if chewing gum is safe. What about artificial sweeteners? Is it okay if you swallow the gum by accident?
You can eat certain types of chewing gum while you are pregnant. Women commonly use gum to alleviate nausea.
Some types of gum may be good for your baby’s health. Other types of gum should be avoided.
Even though chewing gum isn’t strictly a food, it includes chemicals and sweeteners, some of which aren’t appropriate for pregnant women.
When it comes to chewing gum, most types are safe to use while pregnant, with no danger of early birth.
What Happens If You Swallow Gum While Pregnant
Even though chewing gum is meant to be chewed rather than swallowed, swallowing it is rarely dangerous.
According to legend, chewed gum remains in your stomach for seven years before being metabolized.
It’s true that if you swallow gum, your body won’t be able to digest it. However, the gum does not remain in your stomach.
It passes through your digestive system relatively undamaged and is eliminated in your stool.
Gum isn’t a natural food; it contains artificial tastes and chemicals.
Large amounts of gum mixed with constipation have obstructed intestines in youngsters on rare occasions.
For this reason, chewing gum should not be swallowed frequently, especially by children.
You could also be worried about what happens if you consume or swallow gum because there’s a common misconception that gum sticks to your digestive tract.
As long as your pregnancy isn’t complex, chewing gum once in a while is safe.
If you’re on a specific diet to limit your sugar or calorie intake while pregnant, the amount of gum you chew will certainly have to be factored into any calculations.
If you’re wondering, “Help, I just ate gum by accident,” we’ll go over that next:
1. What Is The Composition Of Chewing Gum?
Because chewing gum is a manufactured product, it should be expected to contain various chemicals and synthetic components.
The great array of flavors, as well as the colors, are all artificially generated.
Chemical sweeteners or corn syrup make up the majority of the flavor.
This may make you reconsider chewing gum, especially if you’re pregnant, but a small amount appears safe for you and your unborn child.
A gum base or gum core, which may or may not be covered, makes up chewing gum.
Sweeteners and flavoring agents are added to an insoluble gum basis (resins, humectants, elastomers, emulsifiers, fillers, waxes, antioxidants, and softeners).
2. When Is The Right Time To Stop Chewing Gum?
Although chewing gum while pregnant is generally safe for both you and your baby, there are a few circumstances in which you should not chew gum.
For example,
- If you have high blood sugar levels as a result of gestational diabetes.
- If your doctor has told you that your body is insulin resistant.
- If you have diabetes, you must stay within your safe range before becoming pregnant. Chewing gum may cause these ranges to fluctuate, complicating your pregnancy.
Some people believe that chewing gum can make them feel sick. However, this is not the case.
This misconception has survived because chewing gum causes us to take in more air, which might induce gas and bloating in certain people.
3. Can Chewing Gum Help with Nausea During Pregnancy?
Chewing gum can assist with nausea during pregnancy.
Some women have reported success with vitamin C-containing gum alleviating nausea, while the evidence is limited.
A study is underway to see if chewing vitamin C-fortified gum might help reduce levels of chronic nausea, often known as emesis gravidarum.
When nausea is severe or lasts until birth, this is referred to as postpartum nausea.
It’s been proven that chewing ginger-flavored gum can alleviate nausea during pregnancy.
You can consume ginger confidently because it has not been proven detrimental to the fetus.
Always read the labels to determine which sweeteners have been used.
4. During pregnancy, can chewing gum help with heartburn?
Chewing gum increases saliva production, diluting the esophagus’s digesting acids.
This implies less acid in the mouth, which is good news for your teeth and your overall comfort, especially if you have heartburn.
After a meal, chew sugar-free gum for 30 minutes to ease heartburn. It’s critical to double-check your gum’s label to see which sweetener is being utilized.
Antacid gums are also available, but keep an eye out for sweets on the label.
Antacids are generally considered safe to use during pregnancy, albeit they should be used in moderation, with some formulations being preferred over others.
Summary
You know all about what happens if you swallow gum while pregnant.
Finally, chewing gum while pregnant is safe, and you may even reap additional benefits such as nausea relief or improved dental health for your child.
Look for sweeteners on the label and choose the best brand for you.
Consume in moderation, and consult your doctor or health practitioner if you have any questions about any components specified on the label.
For the most part, chewing gum while pregnant is not a big deal, but it’s not a good idea to ingest it.
But if you do, don’t worry; it’ll just pass through your system.
More on pregnancy: Black Olives During Pregnancy
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you swallow a small piece of gum?
However, chewing gum is generally not dangerous if swallowed, even though it is intended to be chewed rather than swallowed.
There are numerous accounts of chewing gum staying in the stomach for years since the body cannot break it.
Gum will not sit in your stomach if you swallow it; instead, it will pass through your digestive system.
How long does the gum stay in your body if you swallow it?
Gum can be securely passed in a few days.
However, swallowing huge amounts of gum is not suggested because it might cause intestinal obstructions, especially in children.
However, sugar-free gum has several advantages. Sugar-free gum is the way to go for your teeth’s sake if you’re chewing gum.
Sugar-free gum allows your mouth’s pH to return to normal faster after eating than sugar-containing gum.
Chewing gum after a cesarean can potentially speed up the recovery of your bowels.
However, double-check that the sweeteners in your preferred gum are safe to use while pregnant.
Is it safe for pregnant women to chew gum?
Xylitol, sugar alcohol frequently found in chewing gum, is also found in confectionery and toothpaste.
At moderate levels, xylitol is considered safe during pregnancy. So a few pieces of gum won’t hurt you, but you should be careful of how much you’re chewing.
If you’re having trouble quitting smoking while pregnant, nicotine gum may be helpful.
This is because nicotine gum gives small bursts of nicotine rather than a steady dose like a patch.
Short-term nicotine gum use exposes the fetus to substantially less nicotine than cigarette smoking.
Nazeli Gevorgyan studied at Yerevan State Medical University and is an Obstetrics/Gynecology resident
