Shortness of breath during pregnancy is one of the annoying symptoms women endure, which may cause the expecting mother some anxiety, stress, and discomfort. Shortness of breath may occur either in early pregnancy or during the last trimester. This article will review the most critical causes of shortness of breath during pregnancy and how to treat it.
Some discomfort and difficulty breathing are expected during pregnancy. A medical study published in 2015 showed that 60% to 70% of pregnant women complain of shortness of breath during pregnancy. Shortness of breath may occur in pregnant women in the last trimester due to the pregnant woman's growing belly, which pressures the lungs; it can happen for several other reasons. Shortness of breath may occur in pregnant women in the first trimester because of hormonal changes and other reasons that we will review later. But don't worry; your baby can breathe because the oxygen the fetus needs reaches the placenta.
Changes in hormone levels during pregnancy are pregnant women's first and most important cause of shortness of breath. Pregnancy hormones, especially progesterone, will stimulate breathing in your body, increase breathing speed, and produce additional amounts of oxygen sufficient for your fetus. These hormones also relax the lung muscles, which makes it difficult for you to breathe.
The pregnant woman's belly will grow as the uterus expands to accommodate the growing fetus. This puts pressure on the diaphragm and lungs, preventing them from expanding to the maximum and getting air to fill them. Therefore, pregnant women, especially in the third trimester, feel like they are running a long marathon just because they made a small effort.
Even if it is within the normal range, weight gain during pregnancy will cause your muscles to exert additional effort when you and your fetus move, and the extra kilograms will make you feel short of breath during pregnancy. Weight gain may be due to fluid retention in the body, which may affect the lungs and sinuses, causing breathing difficulty for pregnant women.
The body uses iron stored in the blood to form red blood cells, mainly responsible for transporting oxygen. However, when a pregnant woman suffers from iron deficiency, the body will need additional effort to generate the oxygen that the mother and fetus need, which makes the mother feel short of breath.
If the mother has asthma or other respiratory diseases, this may worsen during pregnancy and cause shortness of breath. Therefore, it is essential to control asthma symptoms through appropriate treatment which is safe during pregnancy and is prescribed by a doctor.
If the mother suffered from any heart health problems before pregnancy, it may cause her several symptoms during pregnancy, including difficulty breathing. Pregnant women may suffer from cardiomyopathy at the end of pregnancy or after childbirth, and the pregnant woman with this disorder may develop symptoms, the most important of which are swelling of the ankles, acceleration of the heartbeat, and a drop in blood pressure. If you develop these symptoms, go to the hospital immediately for appropriate treatment.
Pregnant women may suffer from gestational hypertension, which is a pregnancy complication that may lead to preeclampsia. High gestational blood pressure symptoms include breathing problems, especially in the first months. Therefore, it is essential not to neglect the schedule of pregnancy visits. Especially in other months to detect and treat any possible complications.
Go to your doctor's office or hospital emergency room if any of these symptoms appear: