Waking up struggling to breath

[JKirkdale]

Hi,

So last night my wife woke up 3 times struggling to breath, complaining that it felt like she stopped breathing and it woke her up. Now she says not to worry and if it happens again tonightbthen we will call someone. She doesnt want to call anyone yet just incase its nothing. But im a worrier so i always ask questions. Has anyone ever experienced simular episodes and if so what should we do?

Thanks

Sorry I don’t have any experience of this but just wanted to say that it’s always worth talking things over with the midwife as that is what they are there for. Hope your wife is ok!

How far on is she?

She is 36 weeks

Is she sleeping on her side?
I sleep on my side but even if I lay on my back I find it harder to breathe.

She sleeps on her side i keep trying to make sure she sleeps on the left side but the baby kicks and punches every time she does...so she turns to the right side (which is advised not to do i know) and she manages to sleep. But i think that doesnt help it

Has anyone ever experienced this?

Stop worrying about which side she sleeps on, it really doesn't matter.

At 36 weeks it's likely that the baby is compressing her lungs and/or blood vessels somewhat. Does it ease when she wakes up and shifts position? She can ring maternity triage and chat it through with them but if it eases when she wakes up and shifts I think it's likely just part of the fun of late pregnancy.

I haven't quite experienced this, but I am extremely breathless on occasions, no matter how I sleep, I think it's probably just baby squashing blood vessels and lungs, I also got severe chest pains once or twice which again I put down to the joys of late pregnancy! If you're super worried I'm sure you could call the maternity ward like op said x

Yes I had this the other night when I rolled onto my back and couldn't quite wake up enough to complete the roll onto my right. After a few minutes it startled me enough to wake up and move. I was fine on my sides.

I just figured it was the weight of the babies pressing on something.

I used to get breathless laying on my back (and waking the stairs and bending down) but figured it was just the way the baby was laying and my body carrying all of the extra weight.
To put your mind at rest she could mention it at next midwife appointment.

Thanks all, she says drinking water when she wakes up helps but other wise she still struggles. She didnt mention about anything hapoening last night which is a good thing.