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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Very breathless in early pregnancy...asthma?

13 replies

scarletforya · 06/12/2011 22:35

I'm feeling very breathless as the days go on. I have asthma but am not getting any relief from my blue inhaler (ventolin)

My chest feels tight and I keep stretching and yawning to get a breath.

Is it just the cold? Is this normal...anyone else got asthma? Could it be something else....?

OP posts:

Original poster

scarletforya · 06/12/2011 22:35

Sorry am 10 weeks.

OP posts:

whenskiesaregrey · 06/12/2011 22:37

I get this too, I'm also asthmatic, but I think it is more down to dipping blood sugar levels, and maybe slightly lower HB levels. I find eating something sugary helps.

Original poster

scarletforya · 06/12/2011 22:41

thanks skies. I've just scoffed a flake....

What are HB levels?

OP posts:

whenskiesaregrey · 06/12/2011 22:44

It's the hemoglobin (so?!) in your blood. If that is low, you can sometimes get breathless.

whenskiesaregrey · 06/12/2011 22:45

Sorry that should day (sp?!), not (so?!)!

Flisspaps · 06/12/2011 22:46

I get this and am not asthmatic. It's to do with your body becoming more efficient at using oxygen (or something)

rosebery · 06/12/2011 22:46

Asthma aside, I think its quite common to be breathless in early pregnancy. Something to do with all our hormones relaxing the muscles and swelling the blood vessels in the lungs. I've had it too during this pregnancy

Coldcuppacoffee · 06/12/2011 22:51

Breathlessness has been my first symptom each time ( resulting in me lying that I had run to meetings on the floor above at work!). The lungs have to grow in capacity to get you through the pregnancy. I don't have asthma.

Original poster

scarletforya · 06/12/2011 22:51

Ah thanks all, interesting that others have it too.

I was wondering if I should bother the GP with it. I don't really want to take any more medication than I have to and my scan is next week....

May just leave it if it's not dangerous.

OP posts:

CrumblyMumbly · 06/12/2011 22:58

Also could check you're not anaemic as this can make you breathless too. I would mention it to midwife and don't worry about 'bothering' people - that's what they're paid for.

jaggythistle · 07/12/2011 21:09

I had this really bad last time I was pg (19wks with no 2 at the moment) but it's been okish this time.

I had my annual asthma check when I was 8 wks pg with DS and ended up having my blood oxygen level checked, blood test for anaemia and finally sent to see the consultant at hospital.

Turned out to just be 'one of those things' that some people get.

It was really distressing though and I was a bit panicky sometimes as I felt I couldn't get a breath.

My asthma medication made no difference, so I guess it was just a hormonal thing.

Hope you feel better soon, the only thing that helped me was getting more sleep as I felt so much worse when I was tired.

suemz · 07/12/2011 21:56

I am 25+4 weeks today with my first pregnancy and have had such bad breathlessness since 10/40 ago. I had all sorts of investigations, echo, 24hour tape, tried inhalers nothing worked.

I haven't been to work since then and still at home. As the baby gets bigger it gets worse. Went to see my GP and manager at work and as soon as they asked how I was, I just burst out crying.

Still feeling ever so tearful but definitely not depressed. My husband has been so wonderful and supportive. I have now decided to take an early maternity leave.

So don't worry. You are definitely not alone. I really hope you feel better soon.

HoneyandHaycorns · 07/12/2011 22:23

A bit of breathlessness in pregnancy is normal but suemz, it sounds like yours is worse than this. Don't want to frighten you, but if the breathlessness is quite serious, you have had lots of tests and nothing has helped, you may want to ask your GP about a rare condition called LAM (lymphangioleiomyomatosis) - this can cause collapsed lungs, and pregnancy appears to be a common trigger. Lots of GPs won't think of it as many have never even heard of it, but it could be worth looking into.

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