If you feel breathless when sitting down doing nothing......

[Hopeitwontbebig]

does this normally mean you're just tired, or anaemic??

I'm 28+2 and keep having bouts of feeling like there's not enough oxygen in the air. I am feeling v tired, not sleeping well at the moment.

I'm reluctant to take iron supplements, they give me awful constipation (I also suffer from IBS).

I was diagnosed with anaemia in my last two pregancies. Didn't have this 'breathless' thing though.

[ledodgy]

It probably is just anaemia. However if you're feeling breathless when resting you should see your GP as soon as possible especially if there is any pain but even if there isn't as they need to make sure you haven't got a blood clot. I'm sure you haven't but you should get checked out.

[MrsKrabadger]

Agree it's a good idea to see MW or GP as regular breathlessness (as opposed to the odd gasp when the baby kicks your diaphragm) is no fun. They may want bloods for Hb as well.

As an alternative to iron tabs try Spatone - liquid iron supplements (take in fruit juice) that don't cause constipation - from Boots etc. Not cheap but you may be able to get them on prescription.

[bananabump]

I was really breathless before I started taking my iron tablets for anaemia, but also I think you go through a stage where the baby isn't in "the fetal position" just yet where they have lots of room to move, and they take full advantage of it by shoving their legs up against your diaphragm. I have found that now he's run out of room slightly his legs are always down by my side and I'm a lot less breathless.

[Hopeitwontbebig]

Thanks ladies for you quick responses. I'm going to hospital tomorrow for a GTT, I wonder if they would take some extra blood to check for anaemia. Kill 2 birds sort of thing.

[mistlethrush]

I got like this - going to an accupuncturist sorted it out - could be there lying on the couch unable to breathe properly and 20 mins later have no problem at all - and I'm sure it wasn't all in the mind.

Try carob for iron - put tsp of carob flour in breakfast cereal or in yoghurt, can also buy bars but not as concentrated. This got my iron levels back up amazingly fast with no side-effects.

[expatinscotland]

I had this and was anaemic.

I used to get faint a lot.

Unfortunately, the iron tablets they gave me made me SICK.

I used Spatone and it helped.

[Hopeitwontbebig]

I'm off to Boots now to get some Spatone. It seems to be the most recommended iron supplement here on Mumsnet and I trust you all!!!!!

I'll ask if they can test me tomorrow. Don't want to have to give a blood sample today, then again tomorrow!!!!

[expatinscotland]

You can drink it in orange juice or a glass of water.

[Hopeitwontbebig]

I took it in some squash. Was 'painless'! Have to say I feel loads better already.

[Twiglett]

yes could be anaemia

but just as a warning I developed asthma in my last pregnancy (although you'd tell because it would keep you up at night) .. they told me it happened to 1 in 100 pregnant woman .. I had never heard about it before developing it, but like with all these things have now met a few people who also developed asthma