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Parentpedia
Shortness of Breath
If you're pregnant, it's normal to feel like you're:
- having trouble catching your breath
- short of breath
- breathing strangely
It's not all just in your mind: Your breathing patterns are actually changing as the hormone progesterone causes you to breathe more deeply. In addition, your expanding uterus starts to put pressure on your lungs (and all your other organs), which can make it harder to catch your breath.
The March of Dimeshas three recommendations for shortness of breath:
- Slow down. Listen to your body and go at a pace that feels right, even if it's slower than usual.
- Sit or stand up straight to allow your lungs more room to expand.
- Sleep propped up.
Is It Asthma?
Your shortness of breath could also be caused by asthma, which is more common in pregnant women than previously thought. According to an article in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (Jan. 2005), as many as 1 in 12 pregnant women gets asthma, and this number is thought to be rising. If you find that you have asthma, discuss a treatment with your doctor.
Safety Note:
See your doctor immediately if you are severely and suddenly short of breath with a pain in your chest. You could have a more serious condition called pulmonary embolism.
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