I've been getting out of breath lately for the most menial things, walking a bit, getting up, sometimes even talking. Funny thing is, I didn't really notice until hubby mentioned to me, he asked my why I was breathing so heavily, and I took it down to my sinus acting up again. But then, last night I came across a Youtube video which explains what happens to a pregnant woman's body when organs start to shift up. You can have a look for yourself below:
Amazing isn't it!?!?
And it all goes back to normal some weeks after baby;s born. For now, hubby has aptly nicknamed me 'Squashedlungs.' LOL.
Other factors also contribute to breathlessness, I've included an article below explaining the other factors below:
Is breathlessness in pregnancy common?
Breathlessness is very common in pregnancy. About three quarters of pregnant women who've never felt breathless before feel short of breath at some point.
You may start to feel breathless in your first trimester or second trimester, and it may be scary at first. If you have gained a lot of weight in pregnancy, or are expecting twins or more, you may feel particularly breathless.
Why does pregnancy cause breathlessness?
Breathlessness in pregnancy happens because of the natural changes that your body goes through to adapt itself to carrying your baby.
In early pregnancy, you become broader around your ribcage and may struggle to fit into your tighter-fitting tops. This is because your ribcage moves up and outwards while you're pregnant, to give you a greater lung capacity.
The pregnancy hormone progesterone also makes your body adapt the way it absorbs oxygen in your bloodstream via your lungs . As a result, your body becomes much more sensitive to the levels of carbon dioxide that you breathe out.
These changes mean that your body does a better job of processing oxygen and carbon dioxide. You're breathing at the same rate as you did before you conceived, but much more deeply each time, which may be why you feel breathless. Some mums-to-be are more aware of this change and feel more breathless than others.
Towards the end of your third trimester, the size of your growing baby can also make you breathless. At this stage, your uterus (womb) really begins to push upwards into the sheet of muscle that lies under your ribcage (diaphragm), which then presses on your lungs. You'll probably feel some breathlessness at this stage if you haven't before, especially if you're carrying your baby high.
Though you might not enjoy huffing and puffing as you go up a short flight of stairs, don't worry. This sort of breathlessness is normal and completely harmless.
How long will my breathlessness last?
If you're pregnant for the first time, your baby is likely to drop down into your pelvis (engage) from about 36 weeks. This is when your breathlessness might ease. If you've had a baby before, your baby may not engage until the end of your pregnancy.
If you've still got a while to go, try some light exercise. Being unfit will make you feel breathless, so a gentle workout can help you to feel less breathless in the long-run. Gentle exercise means still being able to hold a conversation while exercising, without getting out of breath.
Your baby will get plenty of oxygen while you work out because of the pregnancy changes your body has gone through.
After you've had your baby, your levels of the hormone progesterone plummet, which will immediately relieve the pressure on your diaphragm and uterus. However, it can take a few months for the changes to your ribcage and breathing system to return to how it was before pregnancy.
When should I be concerned about shortness of breath?
Some breathlessness is common during pregnancy. But you should call your doctor or midwife immediately if you notice other symptoms, such as:
- a feeling that your heartbeat is racing, irregular or is missing a beat (palpitations)
- severe breathlessness, or feeling faint after a burst of activity
- chest pain, especially if it starts when you exert yourself
- difficulty breathing when you're lying down, or at night
Breathlessness and tiredness can also be a sign that your iron levels are low (anaemia). If you are anaemic, your body has to work harder to provide enough oxygen for you and your baby. Ask your midwife for a blood test, if you've not had one recently.
If you have asthma, talk about your condition with your doctor or midwife. The risks to you and your baby of not controlling your asthma are much greater than the risks of taking asthma medication during pregnancy.
Will my breathlessness hurt my baby?
As long as you haven't got any other worrying symptoms, feeling breathless is completely normal during pregnancy, and won't harm your baby. Even if it doesn't feel like it, you're actually breathing deeply and efficiently, so your baby can get the oxygenated blood he needs.
Find out about natural remedies for breathlessness.
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