Constantly breathless

[kirinm]

I'm 25w and for the last few days have been out of breath all the time. I run / jog 5km most days so don't think it's a case of being unfit. It's a bit early to be blaming the baby but it's really uncomfortable. I have a midwife appointment tomorrow so I'll bring it up then but does anyone have any experience?

[ShowOfHands]

It can be due to anaemia.

[The3]

If you’re struggling to breathe, it’s an emergency. That’s 999.

If you don’t think it’s that bad, but it’s really uncomfortable, phone 111

[MazDazzle]

I had this with my last pregnancy. It was ridiculous! Like you I’m physically fit, but was out of breath and puffing if I climbed a flight of stairs. I can’t remember the reason, but there is one. Midwife reassured me that it was totally normal.

You should def mention it to her.

[kirinm]

Thanks, I wouldn't say it's that bad that it can't wait until tomorrow. I'm asthmatic and have ventolin although it's not really wheezy. Just feel out of breath.

Can you be anaemic without any other symptoms?

[kirinm]

@MazDazzle were you offered any treatment or is it just a case of 'it'll stop when baby is born'?

[TookyClothespin]

Breathlessness was my only symptom of severe anaemia. Make sure your midwife takes blood tomorrow - full blood count and ferritin. I had a normal full blood count but very very low ferritin when I was anaemic in pregnancy.

[Lilymossflower]

Anemia ! Get blood tested asap. I was like you, just very breathless in pregnancy, and it turned out my iron levels were half what they should have been xx

[TookyClothespin]

Oh, and anaemia is easily treated with iron tablets.

[BrutusMcDogface]

Another vote for anaemia!

[kirinm]

Thanks all, I'll definitely ask to have full bloods done.

[Tfoot75]

I’d say it’s not that likely to be anaemia if you’ve recently run 5k. I had breathlessness in my 2nd pregnancy and that along with a very high resting heart rate was enough to suspect a blood clot which was eventually ruled out after weeks of injecting blood thinners. So if your heart is also racing or you have any other symptoms I’d definitely call 111, particularly if you are breathless when not doing anything?

[AiredaleFan]

For me breathlessness in pregnancy wasn't anaemia but just my lungs being compressed as the baby grew. Being able to do stuff without puffing and panting was a big relief after the baby was born.

[Cornishmumofone]

I disagree, @Tfoot75. I ran 5k in 30 minutes on my due date, but was anaemic and got breathless walking up and down stairs.

[kirinm]

My resting heart rate hasn't dramatically increased and other than being breathless I feel fine. I wonder if I've suddenly gained a lot of weight and that's contributing? I haven't weighed myself but I've definitely started to feel heavy and it gets worse towards the end of the day.

[MazDazzle]

Yes kirinm it was just a case of ‘it’ll pass’ and I wasn’t prescribed anything. They did a full blood count though to be sure.

I had anemia in other pregnancies and was prescribed iron tablets. Wasn’t breathless though.

[BrutusMcDogface]

Breathlessness going upstairs was how I knew I was anaemic (again!) - confirmed by blood test.