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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Extreme shortness of breath in early pregnancy

16 replies

ahhhhhpushit · 27/01/2012 19:44

Anyone else experienced this?

I literally cannot get a deep enough breath and it is making me panic. It is worst lying in bed before I go to sleep.

I've read a few things about it being pregnancy related but all the stuff I've read seems to be about getting out of breath which this isnt - I'm not even doing anything!

OP posts:

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lyndie · 27/01/2012 19:56

How long have you had this? Any chest pains or pain elsewhere? Cough? Any other health problems?

You shouldn't be so short of breath - please call NHS24 for advice. They will go through a list of questions to find out if it's anything to worry about.

Musso · 27/01/2012 19:58

Yeah I had this with my 2 it's the hormones I could b relaxing and itd happen quite frightening isn't it? It got worse the more I thought about not being able to get a deep breath.

Original poster

ahhhhhpushit · 27/01/2012 20:15

No pains or cough.

Musso yes it's almost as if thinking about it is making it worse! Like a vicious circle.

Going to see how it is tomorrow. If it is still bad I will give NHS a call or maybe get an emergency appt.

OP posts:

Vinolover · 27/01/2012 21:23

I've had this but it's mostly in the mornings. I struggle to walk up the stairs etc and have to catch my breath when talking. It certainly makes my heart race! Just try to take it easy. The more you panic the worse you will feel.

Beamae · 27/01/2012 21:33

I had it. It was low haemoglobin and I was given an iron supplement, which didn't help until I started taking it with a pint of orange juice and also making sure that I avoided dairy for an hour either side. After that the breathlessness went away pretty quickly.

jaggythistle · 27/01/2012 21:35

yes, i had it a lot in my last pregnancy. thankfully not bad this time.

i was checked to see if i was anaemic and also whether my asthma was to blame. it seems to just be 'one of those things'
that some people get.

the only thing i found that helped was sleep/rest as i was much worse when tired. i was off work for 2 days with it at about 8 weeks.

it did start to get better for me eventually, probabl around 18-20 weeks though.

i don't know if it's been better this time because i haven't panicked about it and almost expected it. I've been doing a pregnancy relaxation cd too which might have helped.

hope you feel better soon and get on ok at gp.

Beamae · 27/01/2012 21:46

I should add that the supplement I was given by the hospital was called Ferrograd and I can't remember exactly why, but it didn't cause constipation which is a major side effect of iron supplements. So I wouldn't just take any old one from boots.

Original poster

ahhhhhpushit · 27/01/2012 22:31

THank all! PHEW! So relieved I'm not the only onw and likely to be pg related.

Ive been taking pregnacare for about 2 weeks now which has iron in it. Maybe I need more?! Will get a docs appt.

OP posts:

Beamae · 27/01/2012 22:47

I was on a multivitamin which said it contained 100% of my daily iron requirements. But it was the Ferrograd which sorted me out. The reason I was short of breath is because my twins were taking the oxygen they needed and I was left with the dregs. Just pop to your docs for a blood test before your iron levels become dangerously low.

littlemissnormal · 27/01/2012 22:47

I'm the same, get really breathless doing nothing and sound like a right old hag trying to catch my breath and talk! My iron was really low, just started on prescription iron thanks to my midwife and waiting for it to kick in!

pinkteddy · 27/01/2012 22:48

I think its something to do with your heart having to work much harder in the beginning and it can make some people breathless but I do think its important that you get it checked out OP.

SkiBumMum · 27/01/2012 23:03

I had it early on and then v badly towards the end. Early on - hormones apparently. Late - anemia.

Spatone is great. Just iron rich water sachets you bung in oj. Tastes fine. No constipation etc.

FarloRigel · 27/01/2012 23:15

Honestly, I would get on the phone now just in case. It's very unlikely to be anything serious but being pregnant you are at a slightly higher risk of a blood clot in your lung (pulmonary embolism) which can be very serious if left untreated. I know it's very unlikely and there's a high probability of landing in A&E all night for no reason, but it can happen and you'd be better to be safe. Have you had any problems with clotting before? Family history of P.E. or Deep Vein Thrombosis? Trouble with your legs recently, like one hot, pink or swollen? Please do give them a call just in case.

timetosmile · 27/01/2012 23:18

Tou need a clinician (or at least nhsdirect) to talk you through your symptoms to rule out a pulmonary embolism.
Rare, though can be a killer.....NOT wanting you to worry that is what you've got, but speak to someone about this rather than assuming you're anaemic..which is common and not deadly but can't be assumed.

himynameisfred · 28/01/2012 02:24

I had this, and have this too.
Mine if due to being anemic I think.

Have you had a full blood count?

Absolutely get it checked out.

They need to do a chest x-ray, blood tests and all x

himynameisfred · 28/01/2012 02:25

agree, spatone is great x

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