Stairs in the evening too much like hard work

[blushingmare]

Ok so answer me this. I'm 20 weeks. I'm fit - I run or cycle most days. I'm busy and active and generally fairly energetic and feeling good. Im up and down several flights of stairs at work with no problems. But why oh why, at the end of the day when doing my single flight of stairs at home, am I puffing and panting like a 60 a day smoker and my legs feel like they won't carry me a step further?! It's just momentary and then I'm ok again, and only in the evenings. Weird.

Hahaha I feel like this too but I'm 35weeks and it's not just at night for me it's all day. I think... I'll just go and get something from upstairs and I look up and think maybe not lol too much like hard work!! It doesn't get any better.

This happened to me and my midwife suggested I try an iron supplement as I was also breathless by the time I got to the top I took spatone and it helped.

Thanks! Yeah I wondered about iron whenstea. But I am taking Pregnacare, so thought that would provide what I need? Also surprised I don't feel like it when I run. But maybe I should just buy some Spatone and see - anyone know if there's any danger in taking too much iron?

I've been really breathless too, even just sitting on the sofa but am fine when I swim bizarrely! Been taking pregnacare but was still found to be anaemic at 28 weeks. They gave me pregaday iron supplements & I'm taking pregnacare too. My midwife said The limit is up to 400mg per day of iron supplements. Would check with your midwife first though due to toxicity risks.

Thanks Stripey that's really helpful

blushing, I second getting the iron checked - I took pregnacare throughout this pg (currently 31 weeks) having been anaemic with DD2 - was therefore somewhat surprised to discover that 28 week bloods showed low iron levels.

Doc prescribed 2 iron tablets a day at 210 mg which has done the trick nicely - and luckily without any side effects. They have the big advantage of being free as on prescription - last time round I took floradix which, apart from tasting revolting, was pretty good too. The good thing is, if it is anaemia, it's pretty quick to fix. Worth taking with a glass of orange juice too, as vit C makes it easier for the body to absorb iron.

Good luck and hope you feel better soon.

Causes of shortness of breath during pregnancy

www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/yourbody_breath.html