Do I call consultant or is this normal?

[banana87]

I am 32 weeks pregnant. I am under consultant led care, and see my consultant regularly. My last appt was Tues. I've been breathless for the last 2 weeks on and off and mentioned this. He listened to my chest, did my blood oxygen level, and both were fine. He said also I look well so he thinks its just a harmless symptom. Fine.

Today my feet have swelled. Also I was measuring big on Tues (+4 weeks). These two things combined with on and off breathlessness has me freaked out that something is not right. Do I call consultant at 9pm to discuss or wait until morning? Or am I just being completely paranoid?

Is it very hot where you are? If so I would be tempted to hold off until the morning as the foot swelling could be weather related. Is it just your feet or ankles/fingers as well. Any headaches or seeing spots in your eyes?

Breathlessness could just be baby pressing on your lungs.

It's very hot to me. LOL. I think it was 27 today. No swelling in face or hands. No other symptoms, bump seems to still be moving as normal too.

Sounds normal to me hun, as long as your oxygen saturation's fine, your chest sounds clear and your bp's normal it sounds like combination of normal pregnancy stuff + heat! Maybe ring your MW in the morning for some reassurance?

ok, thanks. Everything was clear so perhaps its just the culmination of things (the big bump measurement has me really freaked out!).

Have you had your iron levels done? Just an idea, severe anaemia causes breathlessness

It could simply be because of your size though. Once baby gets so far up they press on the diaphragm which makes you feel like you can't get a decent breath

Did the MW hve much to say about measuring so far ahead?

I'm also measuring big, I'm 31+4 and at 29 was measuring 33. I stopped paying attention after that as my consultant told me she takes no notice of bump measurements as they mean nothing, and she wasn't sure why some HCPs insist on still measuring bumps!

Iron levels done Tues and were 10.4. Have been given a prescription for iron.

Consultant said not to worry about measurement, that its inaccurate, and I will have a growth scan at 36 weeks. Easier said than done though! I am 5'4 and usually a size 10, so thinking bump has no where to go except out! Was very similar with DD but I don't remember them measuring me very often.

From what you've said there Banana, it does sound like baby is just getting a little too big. and if you're short, its obvious the only way for it to go is out! My friend was 5"3 and had a 9lb baby - she was MASSIVE! but her MW was sensible and understood that it was just because she was a shorty

I too am short, 5" nothing & was very breathless. One of the first rhings my gp asked me was how tall i am (they do phone calls back before making an appoontment where i am). She said straight away that this is probably contributing to breathlessness. I also had low iron so the tablets really helped, plus i was taught some techniques when feeling breathless.

Couple of these are:
Dont eat too much in one go, baby is squishing your lungs & stomach so too full & you will feel worse
Sit at a table or desk with your arms (&elbows) resting on it, lean slightly forward. This helps lift your ribcage & move baby forward, and out so less pressure on you
Learn to recognise relaxed breathing state which is basically put your hand at very top of your bump & when you take a breath in your hand should move.
When feeling breathless lean forward against a wall, chair, whatever you can use & just concentrate for a few minutes on your out breath.

Breatless can sometimes mean low iron. This is what happens to me when my iron levels are low x

my bra makes me breathless, sounds silly but i forget that other parts of me than my belly are getting bigger. i felt really faint the other day and it occurred to me to undo it almost an instant relief. time to go to the shop, though i am loathed to spend month on bras for a couple of months.

my iron was the same as your's and although not super low it did make me breathless. back up to 12 now and feel much better.

My DH mentioned my breathlessness to my consultant, and she said that unless you have chest pains as well, then it's fairly normal - especially if you're walking up hills or stairs.

Oh, and my ankles and feet were absolutely fine (am 36 weeks with twins) until a week ago, but now, and particularly in this weather, look like tree trunks by the evening. Saw MW this morning, all fine.

But if you're worried, ring the hospital / MW / antenatal clinic.