Breathlessness - midwife or GP?

[polkadotdelight]

I tend to post more in the Sept 14 antenatal thread and I've mentioned there that I get very breathless (am 21 weeks). It's been like this for a number of weeks and I find it annoying and embarrassing. I know that it can be completely normal but it was suggested that being low in iron could be a cause. Im not due to see the midwife for about 3 weeks, can I ask the GP to check my iron levels or should I be sticking with the midwife?

[lucyfluff]

Hi polka, you can ask a for a nurse apt at your GP if its quicker than seeing your MW to check iron levels as its a simple blood test.

It can def make you breathless amongst other things. If iron comes back normal then it would be worth going to the GP to be checked over

[polkadotdelight]

Thank you. I will give the surgery a ring tomorrow.

[AuntieMaggie]

I would go to the gp tomorrow so they can check things like your peak flow at the same time as checking your iron levels

[polkadotdelight]

Will do.

[eurochick]

I got very breathless around 12 weeks. Climbing stairs was an incredible effort. I self-prescribed spatone (and told my mw at next appt that I was taking it) and was fine in a couple of weeks.

[CoolCat2014]

See your GP or practice nurse - they can run/arrange any tests you need, and also check it's not something like asthma. Do you get asthma ever? As Ientioned on the thread I was getting breathless, didn't realise that it was my asthma getting worse. Several GP and practice nurse visits later, and finally sorted! Keep going back till you're happy it's sorted :)

[polkadotdelight]

Thank you everyone. I haven't had asthma since I was a child and I'm still taking pregnacare but I think I'd feel better just for checking. I feel so embarrassed when I can't keep up with people or am puffing through the housework!