Breathlessness

[InTheFamilyTree]

I am 27 weeks pregnant and feel like I've been breathless for a while but seems to be getting worse. I go upstairs and have to sit on the bed to catch my breath, can't speak normally etc.

Anyone else had this? I am old(er) and probably very unfit, am aware it could be low iron but don't think I'm fatigued, given that I have small kids.

Covid crossed my mind too but havnt been ill in any serious way.

No harm in getting your iron levels checked. My iron is quite low and I don’t feel any more tired than getting up three times a night to pee would leave a person 🙄 I am also older and unfit!

Yep I was really breathless throughout my second trimester, to the point where my arms would go tingly.

Had everything checked out, but was just my lungs getting squashed by DS. It got better from about 30/31 weeks onwards as he moved down - except he was then on my bladder.

Lol. Ive been a bit reluctant in case having low iron levels mean I'm not allowed a homebirth but maybe I just need to do it anyway! Did you also find your were very our of breath @TheFoz?

Do you struggle to speak in full sentences at rest, or just after activity (like climbing stairs)

It may be a competition for space between your lungs and baby, but if its happening at rest or getting worse and you're worried then I'd get seen by your maternity triage to check your oxygen levels, heart rate etc to be sure

You should be having another routine full blood count at your 28 week appt to check iron levels (is this happening in your area given the covid situation?)

When this happened to me during my 2nd pregnancy turned out I had pneumonia.

So strange but every time I get this someone else makes a post about it! I’m 24 weeks tomorrow and am having my second bout of it, such a horrible feeling. Makes me all sleepy and anxious and there’s nothing that seems to help. Got my iron checked the first time and that’s all fine so they’re putting it down to being pregnant 🤷‍♀️ Feel your discomfort though, it’s horrible... hope it goes away for you soon

I've been breathless since week 30. According to my midwife who had seen me at week 32 it was completely normal and caused by the baby growing and pushing on the diaphragm.
Any sort of physical activity (like walking or even changing position) makes me breathless, also cannot speak for a longer time without being short of breath, but the worst thing seems to be wearing a face mask, I just feel like I'm suffocating. Luckily I work from home, but how do you manage face masks if you have to wear them the whole day???

@InTheFamilyTree I’m working from home at the moment so I’m not doing much that’s causing me any exertion but when I go for a walk and there’s a bit of a hill then I’ll be quite out of breath.
It very well could be the position of the baby but I would err on the side of caution personally.

I feel your pain! I'm 32 weeks and by god is the breathlessness awful! Makes me so anxious too because of all this covid stuff going on. I feel for anyone in the same position right now. But most of the time you will find that it is just the baby pushing your lungs out of the way. I hope it eases soon! Sleeping on the left helps loads I've found, with my left arm raised underneath my pillow. Hope this helps xx

Absolutely speak to your midwife or GP about this. Pregnancy also carries a risk for PE.

PE, @calimommy what's that?

Yes it happens after exertion, albeit a tiny amount! I will definitely mention it at 28 wk appt which is coming up, will be first f2f appt so quite looking forward to it. Honestly, what our bodies go through, eh?!

I've been breathless since week 3 (went on a hilly walk and thought "I need to get back in the gym!" then tested +ve a week later). It happens when I'm sitting still sometimes and definitely when I climb stairs etc. Got a bit better in 2nd trimester, but bad again in 3rd. It definitely makes a massive difference if I'm even a little bit dehydrated - less water makes my blood pressure drop and then get dizzy and out of breath. I have iron levels at the lower end but not needing medication which probably isn't helping.

They'll check your iron levels at your 28 week MW appt as part of the routine blood test anyway.

I'm guessing PE refers to preeclampsia here. Breathlessness can be a symptom - especially if it came on suddenly or is severe. One of my friends had this in both of her PG, although breathlessness wasn't a symptom for her. Hers was detected at routine appointments because of protein in urine and high blood pressure. Doesn't sound like what you're experiencing but they will check this at your appt and if your breathlessness is worrying you do ask your MW.

Pulmonary Embolism. If it only happens after exertion then it's less likely but always worth mentioning breathlessness.