Trouble Breathing in Pregnancy: Causes & Treatments

Many pregnant women find themselves feeling breathless, especially as the pregnancy progresses. However, facing trouble breathing while pregnant is a symptom not many women know of, and it usually catches them by surprise. This sensation can range from mild discomfort to more noticeable breath issues during pregnancy, depending on the individual and the stage of pregnancy. Here is a quick look at the different aspects of breathing problems during pregnancy that you may encounter, including potential causes and ways to manage them effectively. Understanding these changes can help you feel more prepared and less anxious as your body adapts to the growing baby.

Is Breathlessness During Pregnancy Normal?

Yes. Most women face problems with catching their breath during pregnancy. As your body undergoes many changes, including a drastic change in the levels of your hormones, one of the first things you will notice is a change in the way you breathe. Your breaths become more laboured, deeper, and frequent. About 75% of women experience breathlessness in their pregnancy. It is perfectly normal to have a breathing problem during pregnancy, especially when engaging in any physical activity.

What Causes Shortness of Breath in Pregnant Women?

Finding yourself suddenly feeling short of breath in pregnancy while you are trying to stay as healthy as you can for your pregnancy can be quite alarming. It is crucial that you educate yourself on the causes of breathlessness while pregnant.

1. First trimester

You are likely to face breathlessness during early pregnancy, as it is one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. Your baby needs oxygen as well as blood supply for development. As your body begins to share its oxygen supply with your baby, you can experience breathlessness.

During this trimester, the focus is on increasing your lung capacity by expanding the rib cage. You will notice this change as your clothes will get tighter. The hormone progesterone will be created in excess which will overstimulate your respiratory system.

2. Second trimester

In this stage, your body’s hormones are the primary reason you will continue to feel breathless. The capillaries in your lungs will swell while the muscles around them will relax. All of these physiological changes will result in shortness of breath. The hormones will regulate your breathing pattern into taking deeper and more frequent breaths.

3. Third trimester

As your baby begins to grow, your uterus will push against all other organs. This includes your diaphragm. In most cases, the diaphragm will shift up to 4cm. This pressure makes it hard for your lungs to expand fully, thus, causing breathlessness and discomfort. You will feel more pressure if you are carrying the foetus high, have lots of amniotic fluid, or have multiple pregnancies.

Remedies to Relieve Shortness of Breath During Pregnancy

Since breathlessness is a natural physiological response by your body to being pregnant, there isn’t any particular cure to this condition. However, there are many ways in which you can relieve the discomfort as well as manage the condition. Here are a few of them:

• Make sure your posture is conducive for your lungs to be able to function at its best. Stand or sit up straight with your shoulders back and your chin up. This posture allows your lungs to expand with no hindrance.
• Use extra pillows to prop yourself when sleeping. If you are used to sleeping on your side, make sure you prop up your head. This ensures your passageway remains unobstructed as you sleep.
• Don’t forget to relax. When pregnant, you must take care of all your needs and put special emphasis on keeping calm. If you begin to feel breathless, take a break immediately. Concentrate on relaxing and getting your breath under control for the next 20 minutes. Once you feel comfortable again, you can continue with your activity.
• Breathing exercises are a great way to regulate your breathing troubles. These exercises must concentrate on chest breathing as abdominal breathing will be compromised. While practising breathing exercises, concentrate on the movement of your ribcage. It must move outward as you inhale.
• Regular exercise can help with a host of conditions. Talk to your doctor about a form of exercise most suited for you. You can choose to incorporate yoga or an aerobic exercise like swimming into your daily routine to build stamina.
• Sometimes, breathlessness can be resolved by something as simple as changing your position. Remember to keep changing positions and find one that you feel most comfortable.

How Long Does Breathlessness In Pregnancy Last?

Once you start feeling symptoms of breathlessness you are bound to continue doing so till the end of pregnancy. Once you give birth, the levels of progesterone will come back to normal almost immediately. Your ribcage and respiratory tract will take longer to come back to normal.

However, if this is your first pregnancy, then your baby will drop to the pelvis by the 36^th week. After this, you will find considerable relief from any breathing troubles.

Will Breathing Problems During Pregnancy Affect My Baby?

Breathlessness is a common condition. As long as you do not experience other symptoms, such as chest pains, you and your baby should be safe. Your baby will continue to get ample amount of oxygen through the amniotic fluid. Remember, the function of progesterone in your respiratory system is to ensure that you take in copious amounts of oxygen. In case you are still worried, feel free to talk to your doctor about all your concerns.

Is Breathlessness During Pregnancy an Indication of a Serious Problem?

Sometimes, the breathlessness you experience could be indicative of any other underlying issues you might have. It is best that you keep tabs on all symptoms you experience. You could be experiencing a breathing problem during pregnancy due to the following issues:

• Anaemia is a condition where the count of your red blood cells (RBC) reduces drastically due to low iron content. Since the RBCs are responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the different parts of the body, your lungs feel extra pressure to work harder to meet the demands of an oxygen-starved body. If you are anaemic and are pregnant, the condition could worsen as your baby requires ample amounts of oxygen supply for healthy development.

• If you already suffer from asthma, your pregnancy could make the condition exacerbated. Common respiratory illnesses like the flu could also snowball into a much serious issue if left untreated.

• In case you experience serious symptoms like chest pain, a quickening of the pulse, and your fingertips becoming cold, you could be suffering from a serious heart or lung condition. Rush to the emergency room if you experience these symptoms along with shortness of breath.

You must tell your doctor about all previous medical conditions. This way, he will be able to create a plan for yourself that is most suited to your needs.

How to Prevent Shortness of Breath When Pregnant?

There are many ways to make sure that you do not have trouble breathing in pregnancy. Here are a few:

• Make sure that you stay hydrated: Avoid drinks like coffee, tea, soda, and alcohol. Dehydration is one of the key factors affecting breathlessness.
• Avoid too much physical activity: Excessive strenuous activity will worsen your breathing troubles. Make sure you get people to help you with any daily chores or activities that are physically strenuous.
• Eat healthy: More stress cannot be put on the positive effects of having a healthy diet, especially when you are pregnant. You must maintain an ideal weight during your pregnancy since fitness levels are a huge factor with it comes to trouble breathing while pregnant. Make sure you eat foods that are rich in iron like red meat and green leafy vegetables. Remember to take Vitamin C supplements, as it affects your body’s ability to absorb iron.
• Practice proper posture: Slouching can compress your lungs and make it harder to breathe. Sit and stand with your back straight, shoulders back, and chest lifted to give your lungs more room to expand.
• Use breathing exercises: Practicing deep breathing techniques or prenatal yoga can help improve your lung capacity and reduce shortness of breath. Slow, controlled breaths can also relax your body and alleviate discomfort.

When to Consult the Doctor

Shortness of breath is a common symptom during pregnancy, but it’s important to recognise when it may signal a more serious issue. You should consult your doctor in the following circumstances:

• Sudden or severe shortness of breath: If your breathing difficulty comes on suddenly or feels more severe than usual, it’s essential to contact your doctor immediately.
• Chest pain or discomfort: Experiencing pain, tightness, or pressure in your chest along with shortness of breath could indicate a serious condition like a pulmonary embolism or heart issue.
• Blue lips, fingers, or toes: These signs may point to a lack of oxygen in your blood, which requires urgent medical attention.
• Dizziness or fainting: Feeling lightheaded or fainting along with breathlessness can be a sign of reduced oxygen flow or an underlying medical condition.
• Rapid heartbeat: If your heart is racing or beating irregularly while you’re short of breath, it could indicate cardiovascular stress.
• Persistent or worsening symptoms: If your breathing issues don’t improve with rest or continue to worsen over time, it’s time to consult your healthcare provider.
• Swelling in your legs or face: Breathlessness accompanied by swelling could be a sign of preeclampsia or other complications that need immediate attention.

FAQs

1. Why does shortness of breath sometimes worsen after eating during pregnancy?

Shortness of breath after eating can occur due to the growing uterus pushing against the stomach and diaphragm, especially in the later stages of pregnancy. A full stomach exacerbates this pressure, making it harder for the lungs to expand. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can help reduce this discomfort.

2. Can shortness of breath during pregnancy be related to an allergy or asthma trigger?

Yes, pregnancy can sometimes heighten your sensitivity to allergens or worsen pre-existing asthma, which may lead to episodes of shortness of breath. Even women without prior respiratory issues might develop mild reactions during pregnancy. Monitoring your environment for triggers and discussing any symptoms with your doctor is crucial.

Feeling breathless during pregnancy is a common physiological condition. You must ensure that your doctors and caretakers are informed of this condition along with any other pre-existing ones. Keep track of the symptoms and do not hesitate to discuss them with your doctor.

References/Resources:

1. Why Do Some Women Feel Short of Breath During Pregnancy?; Nemours Kids Health; https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/breathing.html

2. Reeder. C, Hambright. A, Fortner. K; Dyspnea in Pregnancy: A Case Report of a Third Trimester Mediastinal Mass in Pregnancy (American Journal of Case Reports); National Library of Medicine; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6322058/; December 2018

3. Gregory. D, Wu. V, Tuladhar. P; The Pregnant Patient: Managing Common Acute Medical Problems; American Family Physician; https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2018/1101/p595.html; November 2018

4. Goland. S, Perelman. S, Asalih. N, Shimoni. S, et al.; Shortness of Breath During Pregnancy: Could a Cardiac Factor Be Involved? (Clinical Cardiology); National Library of Medicine; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6490843/; September 2015

5. Asthma and Pregnancy; American Lung Association; https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/managing-asthma/asthma-and-pregnancy

Also Read:

Hiccups in Pregnancy
Snoring during Pregnancy
Breathing Exercise for Pregnant Women