Breathless and worried

[Rosduk]

I'm 30+5 and am incredibly breathless and uncomfortable. I am also asthmatic and although I'm not wheezing I keep panicing that it is an asthma attack when I know it's not! I know breathlessness is standard in pregnancy and I am trying to do mind over matter but I have a history of panic attacks and was advised to come off the medication when I got pregnant which I did. I have generally been fine but this breathlessness is starting to cause my anxiety to come flooding back.

I have a checkup booked tomorrow as my partner just says 'go to the dr if you're worried' but I know it's irrational and they just tell me i'm fine.

I think I just want someone else to tell me they understand as I feel like DP doesn't!

(I'm such a worrybag!)

It's not irrational at all - not being able to catch your breath is a very scary thing and it's easy to take it for granted if you've never experienced any problems. You're doing the right thing getting checked out at the doctor - it's more important than ever that you stay well. Your doctor will agree I am sure.

I'm not as far on as you (25 weeks) but I'm really anxious about the breathlessness too so I understand a little of what you're feeling. I'm lucky that I only have very mild asthma but I get very panicky if I get breathless, which of course makes everything worse! I've been ok so far but I'm dreading the later stages.

I hope you feel better soon, and that your DP is a bit more understanding.

Have you had your iron levels checked? Anaemia can cause breathlessness and feelings of a tight chest. I complained to my GP of feeling like I couldn't get enough air in my lungs, even though I was breathing okay and my test showed that I've become slightly anaemic.

But pg can just cause breathlessness as it's a big strain on the body. Talk to your GP - they won't think you're being silly and they will have dealt with 100s of women worried about the same thing. And if it is something like anaemia, you can get it picked up quickly and treated easily.

When do you feel breathless? Is it all the time, even when resting, or only when you're moving about?
Anaemia can cause breathlessness, as Scorpette mentioned so having your iron levels checked would be a good idea. However, when you're in your last trimester the baby is growing so big that all your inside bits start getting squashed up towards your chest cavity leaving little room for your lungs so you will feel more breathless as they can't inflate properly.
In short, I don't think you're being silly at all, and you should definately see your doctor, if only for your own peace of mind :)