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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Out of breath

28 replies

FlorIxora · 23/04/2015 21:47

I have just discovered/acknowledged a new "symptom". I can't walk briskly-ish and talk on the phone. I get so out of breath that it makes me nauseous. I had noticed out of breathness the last couple of days but my walk'n'talk this evening was just ridiculous. I also become out of breath when going up stairs. Is that a normal pregnancy thing or a cause for concern?

I quit smoking in August. I'm a long distance walker. I'm a bit podgier than usual (now size 14, BMI approx 26).

Any thoughts?

OP posts:
aletea · 23/04/2015 21:50

Possibly anaemic. Start on some liquid iron.

aletea · 23/04/2015 21:50

I feel horrendous from it. Bloody stairs.

lemon101 · 23/04/2015 21:53

A side effect of the increase in progesterone during pregnancy is that it kind of tricks your brain into making you breathe more heavily. More oxygen to the foetus etc. I've noticed this as well - it's a bit mortifying I know!

queenofthepirates · 23/04/2015 21:55

I had this-I was told it was because there was less room for yer lungs because of the baby!

LorelaiVictoriaGilmore · 23/04/2015 21:56

I'm struggling with this too and really wishing we hadn't bought a house with 40 steps down from the driveway to the front door! I had my iron levels checked but all normal. Just another fun pregnancy thing!

youlemming · 23/04/2015 21:58

How many wks are you?

I've been finding walking and stairs more tiring at 26 wks as baby/bump gets bigger, your lungs will be squished up along with the rest of your insides to make room for baby.
Completely normal.

Original poster
FlorIxora · 23/04/2015 22:00

oh gosh, i'm very newly pregnant, i'm only 5+3. first time.

OP posts:
aletea · 23/04/2015 22:01

I'm 5+5 :)

bonzo77 · 23/04/2015 22:09

Breathless here too. 19 weeks and though not that fit before was hardly Puffing Billy!

Bluestockings35 · 23/04/2015 22:15

Yes me too. 22 weeks now and pretty much had it all the way through, though was so tired first 12 weeks that I hardly walked anyway. Now I'm walking as much as I can but still struggling to get my breath just from walking upstairs. Am asthmatic though too.

Original poster
FlorIxora · 23/04/2015 22:24

Not asthmatic, generally fit and healthy, but I did smoke for 15 yrs, but I never suffered consequences from that.

Blue - the tiredness is getting worse every day. No idea how I will survive work at this rate. (quiet desk job) needed to sleep all morning.

Aletea, you're a December-ist too then. :) Thanks for the iron pointer. I will let MW or GP (or whoever else will give the time of the day) know when I see one.

OP posts:
LorelaiVictoriaGilmore · 23/04/2015 22:46

I'm now 22 weeks but have been suffering from exhaustion, breathlessness and dizzy spells from pretty early on, maybe 6-8 weeks.

Mamamia321 · 23/04/2015 23:05

What a relief it's not just me! I am 29 weeks and it freaked me out quite a bit when I had to collapse at the top of the stairs. Been told lung room and check iron. Sleeping with pillows propped up as also at night.

MummyPiggy87 · 23/04/2015 23:41

I started feeling short of breath from about 8 weeks and when I told my doctor he said it was normal

scarednoob · 24/04/2015 07:26

Yep me too! Stairs are horrific, they make me into an old woman. But it's random; some days it's terrible and other days it's not. The tiredness WILL pass as you get into your second trimester, but I know that's not much comfort at the moment Sad

yummymango · 24/04/2015 07:29

Yep another one feeling out of breath from an early stage. Am now 21 weeks and still feel out of breath when walking up stairs or hills or walking and talking at the same time. It's because of hormones (progesterone) and there ain't much you can do about it unfortunately.

MSMB · 24/04/2015 07:53

I'm 32 weeks and get this a lot, it's embarrassing in work etc and makes me panic a bit but my gp says its normal and will be ok after I've had the baby

MummyPiggy87 · 24/04/2015 10:52

When your only 8-10 weeks pregnant and not many people know, it makes you feel like a right unfit wally lol, standing there out of breath after walking up the road taking my son school.. And breath Blush

Original poster
FlorIxora · 24/04/2015 13:18

Seriously, I don't know how I would have survived the last 9 days without MN. Thank you for making me feel better.

OP posts:
missybct · 24/04/2015 18:10

I was breathless from about week 5 - I couldn't work it out, as I was doing a) less, as I felt like utter shite and b) I'm not unfit as it is! I also found I breathed more heavily at night time - dropping off to sleep, and snoring. So attractive Grin.

Original poster
FlorIxora · 24/04/2015 19:31

Hah well OH owes me on that one. he is a snorer. about time he got his comeuppance.

OP posts:
aletea · 24/04/2015 20:20

I've started taking ferruglobin. It's disgusting but at least I know my iron count will stay up.

aletea · 24/04/2015 20:21

And yes another december baby. I already have a xmas eve one!

Stillyummy · 24/04/2015 20:34

I'm 36 weeks and I 100% have this. I go to the gym most days and was fit as a butchers dog pre pregnancy and at all midwife appointments. I think it is just one of those things.

herdwicksheep · 24/04/2015 20:35

I was like this during my pregnancy and I was anaemic, OP. Good luck with the pregnancy Grin

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