Shortness of breath

[Hazel]

I can't breathe!!!

It's horrible, has been getting worse for the past week or two. My hubby even woke me up last night by checking my pulse as he thought I was dead !!

I've had to ring in sick to work today also. Is it worth going to the doctor as he probably can't do a much anyway.

 

[Sandi4Paul]

Yes go to the docter, breathing and circulation are linked so if you are short of breath you need to get checked your blood circulation to the baby is ok.

I am sure it is, but best to get a medical opinion on that.

Sandi

 

[Hazel]

I've looked on NHS direct and they said it's normal as long as there are no other symptoms. Got a stuffy nose also so that's probably not helping either. I'm knackered even after walking up stairs!! Will mention it to the m/w next week when I see her.

 

[Sandi4Paul]

no stuffy noses do not help at all.

Sandi

 

[Hazel]

Husband keeps shouting OLBAS OIL at me LOL. It's got better since I've got up and moved around a bit. Still having the day off work though .

 

[Sherlock]

Shortness of breath does occur as everything begins to squish upwards and therefore your lungs are also given less room.

I can't recall when mine began, but I know it was past 24 weeks. However I am sure in some women it does begin earlier. I think a lot is dependant on how your bump sits, your body and shape etc. My bump has always carried low so I only really noticed a bit later.

When you say you can't breathe exactly what kind of problem are you experiencing. Shortness of breath in PG women when their organs are squished up is fine as our bodies are designed to compensate for it and actually work fine, even though we ourselves feel we are not getting enough breath in. We in fact are. Its not a problem.

How are you lying at night? Sleeping on your left side is the optimal postion for circulation and breathing when PG (and any other time I guess) It also helps the placenta to work (when you are resting) at its best I read. Lying on your back may make you far more breathless.

I find not rushing up stairs etc helps. Also when standing up to take it slowly.

There can however be other reasons for it and if you are wheezy or getting really faint etc it may be best to nip in and see your GP just so s/he can have a listen, check BP, pulse etc for you.

Stuffy nose is also common when PG btw I had one all through first tri and now again in third

 

[abcd1234]

I ge this too, if im sat down i find myself taking really deep breaths sometimes cos i dont feel im getting enough in.
I've also been told that when i think i'm doing my very best to walk quickly im actually walking very slowely, and stairs are now my enemy lol, no more running up them

 

[Hazel]

I've just posted a pic in tummy pics. I think my bump is really high. The main pokey bit is above my belly button and I almost flat and the bottom of my belly .

It just feels like I'm not getting enough breath in and about every 15 breaths I need to have one big one.

It improves a lot when I lie down and rest.

 

[Sherlock]

I would guess having a high bump like that would compress everything up more. Would probably explain it.

Our bodies are designed to cope with it so don't panic you are not getting enough oxygen. We really do compensate for it and infact breathe just as well as when not PG only it doesn't feel that way

If it improves when resting them go for it Circulation wise left side is best as I said before.

If you are really worried or it seems to be causing you real problems give your MW a call or go see your GP to put your mind at rest I've been breathless for weeks now and even getting up and going to the loo is an effort. I still manage my walks each day but have to go slow otherwise my heartrate goes up. But thats just because I'm a 34 week biff with a biff baby in there

 

[Hazel]

I have a very active job (delivery driver so in and out of vans and a lifting). Have been having to have the blowers on my face and the windows open when driving to get some fresh air in the van. Can't wait for maternity leave.

Was just a little worried this morning as had a bad night with it but seems so much better now. I was sleeping on my back last night so will try on my left tonight.

 

[Miss.Monroe]

ive just started getting this too!

 

[debecca]

Not sure if anyone's mentioned this but the two major symptoms of iron deprivation are:

1. Extreme tiredness.
2. Shortness of breath.

As your symptoms sound more severe than baby just pressing on your lungs, I would be tempted to get your blood checked and get yourself some iron supplements. You sound like a classic case to me.

Get theyself to the doctors!

 

[Sherlock]

Was just a little worried this morning as had a bad night with it but seems so much better now. I was sleeping on my back last night so will try on my left tonight.

Sleeping on your back will probably exacerbate the problem as the weight of everything presses down and slows down/cuts off proper circulation round your body. The general advice to not sleep on your back from around now due to the weight pressing down. Not ideal for you or LO. Also it will compress lung space even more as things spread out and take up more room.

I tend to rotate through the night with a body pillow to prop me in a comfy postion and wedge my bump into. I have to rotate side to side as otherwise my hips ache like hell (to the point of waking me and having me wince in pain) and also my back. So I start on my right side as thats the only side I can fall asleep on, then each time I wake for a wee when I get back into bed I flip myself over. That way I lie half the night on my left side which is the best position and the other half in another comfy decent position.

 

[Hazel]

Not sure if anyone's mentioned this but the two major symptoms of iron deprivation are:
:

Funny you should mention that as I thought I had this in the very beginning as had been a vegetarian for 7 years. Started eating meat at about about 8 weeks and felt soooo much better I've been having two very well cooked steaks a week but it's slipped my mind recently and I haven't eaten steak for over 2 weeks now.

I need a big fat slice of cow.

I'm seeing m/w on Tues so I can ask her then.

 

[fuffins1981]

I had this from around 20 weeks.

I read in a book that it was something to do with the mothers lungs working differently. Starting partway through second tri. I think it said to do with the heart and lungs working harder to transport all the stuff it needs to, to the baby (very scientific explanantion I know lol....Check wikilpedia for anything that was too complex there! )