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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Breathlessness

9 replies

dribbleface · 20/04/2011 20:53

Hi,
Am 16 weeks with DC2. I was never breathless at this stage with DS only much later. Have read up on it and it appears to be normal, off to doctors i think to get iron levels checked (had a problem with platelets with DS, not sure if its connected?).

Hayfever season had kicked in for me too so thats not helping!

Any one else had similar?

OP posts:

ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts · 20/04/2011 21:01

yes am 16+3 and am finding myself huffing and puffing like i was at 30-40 weeks with DD.

Original poster

dribbleface · 20/04/2011 21:04

thanks, that makes me feel better, was wondering if all in my head! Seeing midwife in a couple of weeks (if i can ever get an appointment!) so might wait and see how it goes.

OP posts:

ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts · 20/04/2011 21:08

my iron levels are ok if that's any consolation to you. I am suffering with HG also so was surprised that I'm not anaemic.

Also a bit of hay fever here too.

I look lovely, a panting, puking and sneezing mess

BPrincess · 20/04/2011 21:09

All normal I believe - I'm 35 weeks now and had it since around 12 weeks I seem to remember. It's hormonal, as well as a result of squashed organs and less space for the lungs.

HalleluiaScot · 20/04/2011 21:10

You could well be anaemic. This has nothing to do with platelets.

In pregnancy, your blood volume increases dramatically, initially by adding water to it. This means you have a lower concentration of red blood cells/haemoglobin which carry oxygen around your body. In order to supply your cells with enough oxygen, you have to breathe faster.

You need to manufacture more haemoglobin, which can be assisted by taking iron supplements.

Noddyrocks · 20/04/2011 21:12

If its been happening for a little while I would say normal. If it ever comes on suddenly get it checked out ASAP.

Original poster

dribbleface · 20/04/2011 21:16

Thanks

Halleluiascot - wasn't sure if platelets were linked, not up on these things . Do take iron suppliments and iron levels were good with DS. Will see how i go. Thanks for info.

Nice to know its not just me, guess it took me by surprise a bit as with DS i was breathless (but only when huge).

Alovelybunchofcoconuts - , pregnancy is so glam isn't it!

OP posts:

Lizziefinch · 23/04/2011 18:18

I had breathlessness a lot right from week 5 or 6 I thought I might be anaemic but turns out all my blood test results were good, and iron levels, platelet count are fine. It has gradually improved (I'm 10 weeks now) but that may be because I've been on the sofa almost permanently for a month (very lucky that the school I work in has a 4 week Easter break because I've been SO sick too)

My theory is that it's the same kind of feeling (especially when climbing stairs!) I got at high altitude in Peru, where the body has to make loads of extra red blood cells to carry oxygen, and in pregnancy apparently you make 50% more blood than usual for the placenta and the baby. So I'm assuming it's something to do with making blood.

FluffyDonkey · 23/04/2011 18:32

I'm 16+5 and have been breathless for a few weeks now. Expecting DC1.

Midwife says lung capacity reduces by 30 - 40% during pregnancy!

I've got good iron levels too. Oh, and hayfever is HELL at the moment, which I'm sure is contributing to my breathlessness. Just as my morning sickness went away, the hayfever kicked in! Pregnancy is sooo glamourous

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