Since about week 16 (now 30wks) I've been really breathless and wake up in the night literally gasping for air. I have to sort of yawn to breathe properly and get enough air in my lungs. It's really embarrassing sitting in meetings at work yawning and gasping for breath, and my DH keeps thinking I'm sighing at him!
I was pretty fit pre-pregnancy but now even climbing the stairs leaves me wheezing like my gran used to when she had empysema 
. I'm not carrying that much extra weight (an extra 7lb so far) with a tidy bump.
I spoke to my doctor this morning, who is generally fairly hopeless, and she said it's just the baby pressing on my diaphragm, but surely this wouldn't be constant for the last 14 weeks?
Is it normal or am I dying / going to die imminently?
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Pregnancy
Struggling to breathe
HPonEverything · 26/07/2011 13:10
I think it would be really helpful for you to try yoga - our childrens centre runs pregnancy yoga classes so yours may too.
In the meantime, sit up straight and put your hands on your sides under your armpits, about where your bra band is (same side, don't cross your arms), try to relax and make a conscious effort to breathe into your hands, so your ribcage is expanding sideways and giving more space in your lungs. When DH is there, ask him to place his hands on your back, near your shoulder blades, and try the same thing. Once you've got the hang of it, you won't need hands!
A lot of us breathe quite shallowly, mainly in our chests, and when you are pregnant, breathing this way doesn't let in enough air.
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