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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Breathlessness in pregnancy - A&E

34 replies

DoG87 · 05/01/2022 13:34

Hi, I’ve been getting breathlessness during my pregnancy for probably a good couple of months. I’m currently 34 weeks pregnant. I’ve mentioned it previously to my midwife and she checked my iron levels which are low again so thought it could be that. I’ve been working on increasing my iron for the past month, she’s took my bloods again today and we should hopefully find out in a couple of days if my iron levels have increased. I explained I get breathless when doing simple tasks like hanging out washing, walking my daughter to preschool less than 10 mins away, taking the stairs. However I’m fine if I’m not doing much or sat still. I explained it doesn’t scare me & I can catch my breath if I stop and take a minute. I don’t feel ill or have any other symptoms I’m concerned about. I seem to be carrying this baby a lot higher than my first so not sure if he’s just pushing all my organs up into my lungs or maybe my lungs don’t have as much space to inflate. She called the midwifery department at the hospital and they told me to go to A&E. This seems completely over the top to me and more like they are fobbing me off to another department to deal with. I just wondered if others have struggled with shortness of breath in pregnancy, especially in the 3rd trimester. Surely it’s not that uncommon? I really don’t think a trip to A&E is necessary.

OP posts:
KiloWhat · 05/01/2022 13:36

The experts have told you to go to A&E. Up to you if you listen or not.

Stopcallingmemum · 05/01/2022 21:49

Hey did you end up going to a&e? How are you doing? I'm 34 weeks and the same.. I walk from my car to my kids school and I'm out of breath.. I thought it was normal.. just cause of the weight gain lol x

Original poster
DoG87 · 05/01/2022 22:11

@Stopcallingmemum no I haven’t been because it doesn’t feel like an emergency to me. I’m really confused what to do as going to A&E seems over the top to me & I know how much they are struggling anyway at this time of year. It has been on my mind though now all day. I had my bloods took today to check my iron levels again but won’t get the results for a few days. I’m thinking of waiting for my results first because if my iron levels are still low it’s likely to be causing my breathlessness. If my iron levels come back ok I think I’ll really have to think about taking myself off to A&E. I was the same as you though and just thought it was a general pregnancy thing and the fact we are getting bigger and there’s less space for our lungs

OP posts:
Theresamagicalplace · 05/01/2022 22:21

I imagine their concern is a potential blood clot in the lungs. Probably unlikely but definitely worth getting checked if they've recommended it. Clots are more likely during pregnancy so they probably want to be safe not sorry.

bonetiredwithtwins · 05/01/2022 22:28

Honestly I had breathlessness with both my full term pregnancies and was told it was normal - with my twins it was the worst because there was even less space in there and the big twin at the top seemed to be constantly stuck up in my ribcage - I found it difficult to finish in a sentence or do much activity without feeling like I'd run a marathon

ToManySnacks · 05/01/2022 22:35

The professionals have said to go to A&E

ShrillSiren · 05/01/2022 22:35

If you've been told to go to the hospital, you should absolutely go. I can completely understand why you'd not want to feel like making a fuss because I'm the same, but would you forgive yourself if something went wrong?
As for the breathlessness during pregnancy, I was quite breathless during the last few months of my second pregnancy and I'm pretty sure it was the baby's position rather than anything bad. I'm fat and unfit anyway, but I had to sit every few minutes after walking around and never felt like I was getting quite enough air. My first and third pregnancies never had breathless issues.

BlameItOnTheBlackStar · 05/01/2022 22:37

You're not just keeping you safe though any more, it's about keeping you and your baby safe.

Just go and get checked.

bethabean · 05/01/2022 22:40

Hello

I went to A&E with breathlessness at 36 weeks and was put on a drip. My heart rate was far too high

Get checked for your babies sake Smile

Original poster
DoG87 · 06/01/2022 04:10

@bethabean can I ask what checks they did at A&E please? Chest X-rays were mentioned by my midwife but I thought these weren’t safe in pregnancy as not even recommended to have a dental X-ray when pregnant.

OP posts:
KiloWhat · 06/01/2022 05:50

Go to A&E. They will have seen lots of pregnant women and know the risks etc. There's no point trying to second guess things.

EnrouteNOTonroute · 06/01/2022 05:55

Chest x rays give the least amount of radiation dose than nearly all other x-Ray exams, plus TTS benefit ion having one in this case outweighs any tiny risk

purplesequins · 06/01/2022 06:25

I hope you have been to a&e

blood clotting issues are not unusual in pregnancy and pregnant women sometimes die of blood clots.

also heart insufficiency is not uncommon to develop first in pregnancy. breathlesness is a symptom.

FTEngineerM · 06/01/2022 06:31

Go to A&E. They will have seen lots of pregnant women and know the risks

Don’t assume that, ever.
I went at 37 weeks with dehydration from extreme food poisoning and I had all the signs of pre eclampsia but the A&E nurses didn’t have a clue. Always get seen by someone who is familiar with antenatal care.

JustKeepSwimmingJust · 06/01/2022 06:32

[quote DoG87]@bethabean can I ask what checks they did at A&E please? Chest X-rays were mentioned by my midwife but I thought these weren’t safe in pregnancy as not even recommended to have a dental X-ray when pregnant.[/quote]
The risk/benefit balance of X-rays is a bit different during pregnancy. If A&E are worried you have signs of a blood clot that could kill you both, the benefit of an X-ray is much higher than a preventative dental X-ray.

You consent to individual investigations once you are in hospital anyway: if they send you for an X-ray you can ask why it is necessary and if there is an alternative.

L1ttleb1t · 06/01/2022 08:58

Do you have a minor injury unit nearby? You could start there and they can escalate you to a&e if they feel it's necessary.

JustKeepSwimmingJust · 06/01/2022 15:17

@L1ttleb1t

Do you have a minor injury unit nearby? You could start there and they can escalate you to a&e if they feel it's necessary.
I wouldn’t do this. The OP has had a consultation with medical professionals who specialise in pregnancy and been told to go to A&E. Minor injuries don’t have that much ability to cope with pregnancy complications.
Roeslein · 06/01/2022 15:22

I have a minor heart condition (very common but most people who have it do not know about it as they've never had a heart scan to look for it and it's normally asymptomatic) and breathlessness in pregnancy can be a symptom of it getting worse. Of course it's probably nothing, but still worth getting checked OP!

Metallicalover · 06/01/2022 15:23

Have you been to A&E?
I don't mean to scare you, but breathlessness in young fit people could be a sign of a PE (pulmonary embolism) ie blood clot on your lung. You will need a blood test and if that's high you will need an X-ray. You can wear lead over you to protect your baby from x rays.
You have told them your breathless, they are doing something about it.
Pregnancy is hard on the body and you are increased risk of blood clots.

blahblahx · 06/01/2022 15:26

I mentioned this to my own midwife yesterday and she told me to keep an eye on things but to get in touch if it progresses as I am 32 weeks pregnant.

I would definitely take their advice and go to A&E, it's better to be safe than sorry!

BlameItOnTheBlackStar · 06/01/2022 17:26

@L1ttleb1t

Do you have a minor injury unit nearby? You could start there and they can escalate you to a&e if they feel it's necessary.
What? Why?

The OP has already been told by professionals what she should do. I don't know why you'd be on a public forum trying to get people to do otherwise. It's nothing to you if her or the baby come to harm is it?

L1ttleb1t · 06/01/2022 20:19

Blimey - calm down. If she needs blood tests and an X ray then minor injury unit can do this. They're not just for cuts and bruises. They have doctors who will assess her and send straight to ED if that is where she needs to be. I suggested it as an alternative to ED if she's unsure if that's overkill. I'm not suggesting she ignore the medical advice already given but that didn't involve any physical exam, whilst MIU will triage her within 10 minutes of arrival. Yes I would go to ED myself but she asked if it was necessary so I've suggested what an alternative option might be that would allow immediate escalation if the team who see her feel it's needed - it's OPs choice what she wants to do.

How are you doing, OP?

Wildrobin · 06/01/2022 20:45

Gosh this is worrying me too now as I thought breathlessness very normal- I am normally is size 10/12 and never normally out of breath but at 24 weeks pregnant I definitely feel out of breath easily .

FrostedCupcakes · 06/01/2022 20:57

@Wildrobin

Gosh this is worrying me too now as I thought breathlessness very normal- I am normally is size 10/12 and never normally out of breath but at 24 weeks pregnant I definitely feel out of breath easily .
I'm 23 weeks and out of breath easily as well at the moment. Has me a little worried as well!
BobbieT1999 · 06/01/2022 21:00

I mean, you could second guess the experts but it's not just you that's at risk, it's your child too right?

Just go to A&E, not worth the risk not to.