Breathlessness and health anxiety - 19 weeks pregnant

[Nixi987]

Hi all, I'm just looking for some reassurance please.

This is my first pregnancy and I'll be 19 weeks tomorrow.

In my early stages of pregnancy (around 6-7 weeks) I became aware of my breathing, in that it seemed quicker, but I didn't worry because I read that it was normal.

Fast forward to now, and I've spent the last few weeks feeling breathless (sometimes due to exercise such as walking, and sometimes from just climbing the stairs!). I never have any pain with the breathlessness. I have spoken to my midwife and she said it can be totally normal and to just keep an eye and see if it gets any worse. I also had blood tests taken last week and they all came back fine. The GP thought I might be anemic but I wasn't.

I am an extremely anxious person and have suffered from health anxiety in and off during most of my adult life. As soon as I feel something different in my body, my automatic response is to panic. I had been doing well with the anxiety for a few years before I got pregnant. Now, when I get breathless, I panic, which makes me heart race and the breathlessness feel worse. There are times I have cried to my husband thinking I have a breathing problem or a heart problem. We went for a 20 minute walk last night, and I was walking and talking at the same time and suddenly I felt breathless and had a tight feeling in my chest. This calmed down after a few minutes of deep breathing. It's hard for me to tell myself it's anxiety rather than a health problem.

As a side note, I've had some heart palpitations during my pregnancy and I have seen the gp. She diagnosed a heart murmur but she wasn't concerned and said it can be extremely common in pregnancy due to all of the extra blood rushing around.

I suppose I am looking for any kind people who have had a similar experience with breathlessness and/or anxiety during pregnancy please. This is all so new to me. I love being pregnant and having a little bump, but i am struggling with the breathlessness and anxiety. Thank you in advance for any advice.

Speak to your midwife. You can access help and support. What treatment have you had for the anxiety?

@Wolfiefan Thank you for your response. I will speak to my midwife and tell her about the worsening anxiety (she knows I have suffered in the past). I have had talking therapy in the past via the NHS but unfortunately I didn't find it too helpful.

There are lots of different types of therapy OP and medication can help too. I sympathise. I’ve got a suspected DVT and am sitting at hospital trying to convince myself I’m NOT actually short of breath.

@Wolfiefan I will definitely look into it further, thank you :) Wishing you all the best, I'm sure you will be absolutely fine and I hope you get all sorted soon.

Bless you and good luck OP.

@Wolfiefan Right back at you

@Nixi987 Hey lovely, sorry to hear you are feeling this way!

I can relate to how you are feeling in regards to the health anxiety. I have been suffering with health anxiety for the past 10 or so years. My nan passed away from cancer suddenly (less than 6 weeks from diagnosis and looking 'well' to her passing). I was 15/16 at the time, and it was the first family member I had lost. Almost a year to the day of her passing, I had a panic attack at college completely out of the blue - from that day onwards I have been so conscious and anxious about every ailment, twinge, pain etc, always thinking its the worst case scenario and I am going to die. Heart palpitations, breathlessness etc. I went to counselling and they seem to think it stems from seeing my fit and healthy-seeming Nan deteriorate so quickly, and its formed some sort of health anxiety where I think that that is going to happen to me.

The one thing that truly helped me over the past couple of years is mindfulness meditation. I wasn't sure when it was first suggested to me, sounded all wishy washy, but honestly it has changed how I respond to my health anxiety. To the point of me having no anxiety at all during my pregnancy so far (22+1), as I have learned how to deal and respond to the anxious thoughts in my head, and calm myself down if I worry about any physical symptoms or aches or pains. One thing I can highly recommend is an app called Head Space. There are tons of guided meditations on there!

Obviously it goes without saying that if you feel unwell or have any severely worrying symptoms, see your midwife or GP first regardless.

Sorry it was long winded, hope that helps

Thank you so much @expectinglittlebear for your lovely message.

I'm sorry you have also struggled so much with health anxiety, I truly know how distressing it can be.

I must admit, I have never given meditation a proper try; I always thought it wouldn't work for me. However, I've downloaded Headspace on your recommendation and I will start it tonight . Looking forward to it!

I'm so pleased you've had an anxiety-free pregnancy. This gives me hope that with a bit of help I can get there too.

Thank you so much again for your advice and kind words, I truly appreciate it . Take care x

Hi @Nixi987 Just responding to your request for any experience with breathlessness - I'm currently 27 weeks and since about 22 weeks have had a really strange sensation occasionally where I will gasp for air, literally out of the blue, sitting still reading a book or something. I put it down to the baby giving me a swift kick to the lungs, which I told the midwife and she seemed unconcerned. I live in a hilly area, and I'm also still jogging, both of which I have to do at a much slower pace than before pregnancy, because I can't take in enough air. Some of this is being tired out from all the growing of a human, and some from the fact that my organs are squashed by that wriggling child. Just like your breathlessness, it isn't painful. Our bodies are doing an amazing thing and some of our usual functions are bound to struggle as a consequence. Wishing you all the best

Hi @dorothygaleandtoto thank you so very much for your message. It’s so comforting

Our bodies are definitely working overtime to provide for our little ones! It’s reassuring to know that others have experienced the same as me.

Wishing you all the very best on the rest of your journey and sending lots of love. Thank you again

Not that this may help, but it is perfectly normal. I was getting out of breath just walking up the stairs (now I've got further along, nearly 33 weeks), I think it has eased a little. Either that or I'm just more used to it. Remember you have a baby growing and the baby is squashing all of your organs, including your lungs making it more difficult to breathe.

@Dipsydoodlenoodle Thank you so much . I do feel less anxious about it after all the lovely messages. You're right - our bodies go through so much! Thank you for the reassurance