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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

27 weeks and feeling breathless after I eat??

15 replies

moulesfrites · 27/10/2010 19:05

Is this normal?? Have felt very slightly out of breath when climbing stairs etc for a week or so but tonight I couldn;t finish my tea as I felt like I couldn't breath - haven't exerted myself at all - just sat down eating??

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StrangewaysHereICome · 27/10/2010 20:33

Hi - I am 22 weeks and exactly the same. I feel bloated and breathless after eating. I have felt breathless from really early on just by climbing the stairs etc and I was quite fit as I ran a marathon not so long ago. It is a wierd feeling but I think it just shows that pregnancy is hard on our bodies and show what hard work it is growing a baby.

If it gets really bad then check with your midwife, but for me it is another normal but uncomfortable part of pregnancy!

Violet5 · 27/10/2010 20:43

Could just be due to the baby starting to take up more room and squishing your lung capacity a little, i was told that was quite normal. Occasionally though it can be a sign of anemia too. Maybe worth a mention to your midwife who might be able to put your mind at rest...and give you a more technical explanation than mine

lucybrad · 27/10/2010 22:39

I would ask the doctor to check your blood. I complained to midwife about this from about your gestation and kept getting fobbed off with coments like its just pregnancy, baby taking up more room ect, but I new I wasnt right.Finally went to doctors who did a blood test, and i was anaemic. 2 weeks on iron tablets and I am a different woman. Even talking before had me out breath! Now i just feel pregnant, not like I cant breathe!If i had left it up to them I would have been even more anaemic, as I would have had to wait for my 28 week bloods.

Original poster

moulesfrites · 28/10/2010 09:29

Ok, will ask midwife about it - hadn't thought about anaemia. Thanks for the advice!

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buttercup123 · 28/10/2010 09:34

Moulesfrites - I'm 19 weeks, and I've had the same thing for the last few weeks. Not every time I eat - but if I eat a bit too much (usually carbs), then I definitely get that can't-breathe feeling. Not pleasant. I had my MW appointment a few weeks ago and no problems with anaemia, and the GP said it was just pregnancy. I also did quite a bit of looking on the internet, and there was plenty saying that it's not unusual.

So you may want to just keep on tabs on whether it's worse when you have certain types of food, any avoid?

Oh and I also find it helps to then have a bit of a walk (even if it is just once around the office), as that seems to stretch everything out a bit?

lucielooo · 28/10/2010 13:17

I'm 16 weeks and feel the same as buttercup.. eating something like a baguette makes me feel really breathless, hot and fainty.. soup is ok though. Hadn't related it to too much carbs until you said though.

buttercup123 · 28/10/2010 14:04

I find it's the type of carb as well. Big baked potato = breathlessness, but rice seems to be okay. I try to only eat half of the baked potato, but once I start I find it hard to stop...

lucielooo · 28/10/2010 14:59

haha.. I know that feeling! I generally get it at lunch but not dinner, so wonder if bread is a culprit (especially in bulk). Had a very bready lunch today and felt rubbish afterwards. Same as you, a little walk around helps quite a bit.

ledkr · 28/10/2010 19:34

OMG thank god for this thread. I was just about to start one myself. Am 26 wks and getting very breathless have had 2 hospital admissions in last week as breathlessness is so bad. It is worse after a big meal and def on walking and talking but sometimes comes on just from talking or out of the blue when sat down.Have been told not anaemia but hb was 11 which is bit low. On iron and felt initially better but came back today. Apparently iron takes about 2 wks to work.
I am also very tired and cant walk long distances or do a lot to be honest. I have taken the week off work this week, was planning to return monday but i am not sure if i will manage it as already have spd.
I am so relieved from reading this.I am on my 5th so not exactly a pg virgin.

mnistooaddictive · 28/10/2010 19:51

I had this and was referred to hospital for tests for clot on lungs. Mention it and get checked out!

ledkr · 28/10/2010 20:03

thats why they keep admitting me.Had ecg x 2 and did sats etc but next step would be an x ray which they need to avoid. I dont think they do think its that tho.

mnistooaddictive · 29/10/2010 07:45

I had X-ray and some radioactive test thing whilst pregnant. Not ideal but they were pretty sure I had a PE. I didn't and dd2 who is now 2 doesn't seem to have audferedany bad effects!

lucielooo · 29/10/2010 12:53

Those that were investigated for a clot on lungs did you get other symptoms. I find after eating, I get dizzy, racing heart, ringing in my ears and then very sleepy and I think (though no expert obviously!) this is low blood pressure. My normal non eating blood pressure is fine (110/70) but feels like it drops after eating

It's a bit of a pain though. Had a sandwich for lunch and set it all off again so bread is definitely off the menu for now and see if that makes any difference.

mnistooaddictive · 29/10/2010 15:02

I was breathless and had a fast pulse. No other symptoms. When I was admitted to hospitak my pulse was about 200. I had just pushed dd1 in her pushchair through the hospital carrying a heavy bag of toys/snacks etc for her!

Lumoon · 20/02/2023 03:01

I am feeling exactly like what you are describing. Hb also in 11. I know this is a very old thread, but you are the only person that has described the way I feel extremely accurately. I am currently 32 weeks pregnant. How did you resolve your symptoms and what was causing it?

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