Breathlessness during Pregnancy
What causes breathlessness in pregnancy?
Breathlessness is actually common in pregnancy especially in the third trimester when your expanding uterus and growing baby is pushing upwards against your diaphragm. Some women will experience this symptom even in their first trimester. During pregnancy, hormonal changes affect your respiratory centre in your brain and your lungs making you feel breathless and have the urge to take a deep breath in.
However, there are other serious causes that may make you feel breathless during pregnancy such as:
- Lung disease such as asthma or pneumonia
- Heart disease
- Blood clot in the lungs (Pulmonary embolus)
Should I worry about having breathlessness?
If you are worried about being breathless, do talk to your doctor about it. By taking a history and physical examination, your doctor may be able to reassure you that this is perhaps part and parcel of normal changes in pregnancy or give you the appropriate treatment if there is indeed an underlying problem.
When should I see the doctor about this breathlessness?
- If the symptoms are persistent and severe
- If you have underlying medical problems such as asthma or heart disease
- You have other symptoms such as fever, cough, wheezing, palpitations, chest pain or discomfort, swelling of the legs or hands, difficulty in daily your normal daily activities, unable to lie down flat in bed at night.
How do I cope with having breathlessness in pregnancy?
- Whenever you have breathlessness, relax, sit down and take a deep breath in.
- Do not exert yourself too much especially during exercising
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