Shortness of Breath During Pregnancy: Tips to Facilitate Respiring

As pregnancy advances, individuals may encounter difficulty breathing after performing routine tasks, a phenomenon often attributed to biological and mechanical changes associated with pregnancy.

In a 2015 study, approximately 60-70% of women may experience shortness of breath during pregnancy, also known as dyspnea.

Encountering panting is a common occurrence during pregnancy and is typically not a cause for alarm. However, it is salient to inform your doctor about it since various factors can contribute to this sensation.

How Pregnancy Affects Breathing

Throughout pregnancy, an enhancement in the progesterone hormone can lead to an increased need for deeper pants, making it feel like more effort is required to gasp.

The enlarged uterus can also exert force on the diaphragm, the muscle beneath the lungs, making breathing more challenging.

As you approach delivery, breathing may become easier when your baby descends lower into the pelvis.

To enhance breathing comfort, consider maintaining good posture while sitting or standing to allow your lungs ample space for expansion.

Improve sleep posture by using pillows to elevate your upper body, reducing pressure on the lungs from the growing uterus. And avoid overexertion during activities such as exercise, errands, or household tasks.

Listen to your body's signals to slow down or take breaks.

Reach out to your doctor if you experience shortness of breath that emerged suddenly, is severe, appears to be worsening, occurs alongside pain, coughing, wheezing, or heart palpitations. These symptoms may indicate an underlying issue beyond typical pregnancy-related factors.

The causes of pregnancy-related dyspnea include the upward pressure exerted by the growing uterus on the lungs and hormonal increases.

While pregnancy dyspnea is normally benign, there are cases where more serious problems can contribute to breathing difficulties.

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Causes of Shortness of Breath During Pregnancy

Encountering breathlessness is a common occurrence in pregnancy, frequently viewed as an indicative aspect of the pregnancy.

The first trimester sees a rise in oxygen consumption, with the diaphragm moving upward by up to 4 centimeters. Changes in breathing patterns may result from the hormonal increases of progesterone and estrogen, both vital for fetal development.

In the second trimester, the growing uterus and increased blood volume contribute to noticeable shortness of breath. The heart's heightened workload, pumping blood to the placenta, can intensify the sensation of breathlessness.

The third trimester brings changes in breathing ease, influenced by the developing baby's position. Before the baby falls into the lower pelvis, its head may press on the diaphragm, making breathing more taxing.

Shortness of breath during this time may also be accompanied by a tenacious, dry cough.

Added causes of shortness of puff in pregnancy include asthma, peripartum cardiomyopathy, and pulmonary embolism.

Medical treatments, like supplemental oxygen, may be necessary in severe cases, depending on whether the shortness of puff is solely pregnancy-related or has an underlying cause.

When to Contact a Doctor

Speedy medical attention is crucial for signs like blue lips, fingers, or toes, heart palpitations, pain when puffing, severe and worsening shortness of puff, and wheezing.

If shortness of puff persists after delivery or is encountered for the first time postpartum, medical consultation is essential to rule out complications like heart issues.

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