breathlessness - just me?

[Evi1984]

I'm over 26 weeks and have noticed during meetings at work I get quite breathless when talking alot. Have big presentation this week and have lots to say but around half way through I sound like I've just run a marathon! Is this normal? I'm guessing nerves may be playing a part but wondered if it's yet another side effect?

I'm getting this at points during the day too. I'm just over 24 weeks. It's just down to the body having to work harder! My heart rate also increases sometimes which makes things like carrying laundry up/down stairs feel like running a marathon. Apparently it's all quite normal. Staying well hydrated (I downed 2 litres of water when i felt like this yesterday) and making an effort to breathe slowly can help...

I'm 35 weeks and have really been struggling with this over the past few weeks, especially in the unbearable heat. A fan helps and also ensuring you focus on exhaling. It's the combination of increased blood flow and the growing baby leaving less room for your lungs to expand. I'm also a little anaemic which is probably not helping.

I'm 27 weeks and have been struggling with breathlessness too. I have 2 large flights of steps to get up at work (which was hard enough pre pregnancy) and I sometimes think I'm not going to make it to the top! And its so embarrassing when I do make it and people start talking to me and I can't reply straight away!
Apparently its completely normal though.

I've been breathless since about 10 weeks, now 22+4 and it's not as bad because although I was anaemic before I got pregnan,t my iron levels had dropped even lower and a symptom of this is breathlessness. Although it's normal to be breathless in pregnancy, I would recommend getting your iron checked just in case.

Get ur iron levels checked I was seriously out of breath all the time even when sitting, and my levels wernt particularly low. Have been put on tablets and it's eased now. Also do u know position of baby, mine was breech for a long time meaning the head was pushing against my diaphragm which left me feeling like I couldn't get enough air in

It's 'cause baby is squashing your lungs. Take it easy! Gets better when baby drops around 35/36 weeks.

I'm 26 weeks too and don't get breathless walking or being active, but when sitting down and talking I feel my ribs being pushed up and this causes me to lose breath. It's weird.

I started getting very breathless around 23/24 weeks, went to midwife & she tested blood (even though she thought it was just baby squashing everything), turns out I was/am anaemic & have been on iron since then. Am now almost 33wks & it's coming back again so don't know if I need a higher dose.

I had this at 27 weeks, breathless even when sitting still and resting, struggling to finish sentences, it was exhausting. Iron levels ok but get ferritin levels checked. Was put on meds and it improved hugely very quickly. Try Spatone iron sachets instead of the tabs they prescribe as the tabs make you horribly constipated good luck!

I am 26 weeks and have been getting really breathless but not necessarily when I am active - often just when sitting down. I think being squashed up doesn't help.

I had my iron levels checked yesterday and they were low so this won't have helped.

just a little warning about iron tablets prescribed by the GP - they made me feel very ill.
I was dizzy and feeling faint and very nauseous having taken only a few tablets.a friend of mine reacted even worse...

I was anaemic with all of mine and I found Floradix with iron (liquid) and Solgar gentle iron (tablets) very effective without and getting constipated.

It depends on the severity of your anaemia. I'm quite severely anaemic and over the counter tablets won't even touch it. I agree with the liquid iron though, it's much easier on your stomach although I don't know it it's able to be taken during pregnancy.

daley I hope your iron levels rise, it really sucks to be anaemic.

is 4.0 the lowest number still considered normal?
if yes, then mine was 4.1 at worst..I can't remember which pg.

I'm guessing yours is/was worse than that., poor you

yes, the Floradix one is very good for pg and when bf!
I was recommended it several times by different HCPs

Normal levels are between 12 and 15. Mine went down to 6 after a PPH with DS and I couldn't sit upright without blacking out

Definitely get your levels checked, I'm 16 weeks and also v breathless and I'm pretty sure it's iron problems. I need to take my vitamins more consistently!!

vix

I forgot what the numbers meant or what the measure unit was.

I just remember it was on my blood test saying normal levels 4.0-8.2 or similar, mine was 0.1 above lower level.

I'll ask dr Google!

(btw if you meant for me to get checked put, that's sweet and thanks but I'm not pg now)

Dr Google say you are right, hemoglobin threshold is 11g/dl

but if the measuring unit is mmol/l the threshold number is 6.8

I don't know what 4.1 was then (it bugs me now), but the point is that I was just above the treshold.

yes, me too! i am a fast and enthusiastic talker (Dh would have another word for it) and i am literally running out of air when i try to talk. not easy at work. am 30 weeks.

I've had this since 24/25 weeks - I'm a teacher and was getting out of breath just speaking to a class, much to the amusement of the kids! I tested low for iron and have been on meds but they've made no difference to the breathlessness. Now at 39 weeks am out of breath just sitting down and feel like I might explode!

Thanks for the info Zing, I was advising OP about getting checked

Really interesting info everyone - thanks.

With this pregnancy I've been breathless from about 12 weeks and am pretty fit (regular runner) so it came as a bit of a shock!

Thanks for all the responses, am due to get iron levels checked so that could be a possible cause and the baby is breach right now so I guess that's not helping either!