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Pregnancy

Breathlessness at 31 weeks

3 replies

PeterPeterson · 01/07/2020 09:43

I know that it's a common symptom in pregnancy but over the last week it's become that bad that at times I feel like I am gasping for air. I'm not even doing anything strenuous or any level of activity when I am getting short of breath, sometimes just sitting and watching TV or working, I try changing positions but it doesn't seem to help. It usually lasts about 20 minutes but today it's gone on for nearly an hour.
I guess does any one have any experience of this? I don't have a specific midwife due to covid so I feel silly bothering the team at the hospital with this if it's something I just need to put up with?

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RUOKHon · 01/07/2020 09:46

I bet this is anaemia. I had this with both my pregnancies and it’s very common. I was very breathless and lightheaded, and tired easily.

It’s definitely worth speaking to your midwife about it. A blood test can show whether you’re low on iron/haemoglobin and then you can get some iron supplements to sort you out.

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PeterPeterson · 01/07/2020 10:33

That's really interesting RUOKHon, with my first DC I was anaemic and had low blood pressure, never felt like this though, went light headed a lot and was very tired! I feel silly bothering midwives with stuff like this!

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vinoelle · 01/07/2020 10:39

I’m 34 wks and it’s been horrendous for me just this last week. It is quite distressing to feel you can’t get your breath. You would have had a blood test at 28 wks for anaemia so just ask what the result was. Mine appears to be related to eating, could that be the case for you? It’s horrible tho.