Breathlessness and pregnancy

breathless feeling is common in pregnancy

Breathlessness or the feeling of inadequate oxygen intake is a normal feeling during pregnancy. It may not cause any harm or inconvenience to most pregnant mothers although for some, it may give a tough time. However, if you or your loved one experiences such manifestations during pregnancy, you may find it easier if you know why pregnant women feel the way they do. At the same time, knowing what is normal during pregnancy would enable you to recognize what is abnormal before it becomes complicated.

During the early parts of the pregnancy, it is natural to feel as if there is a need to breathe more consciously. However, many pregnant women do not feel this way and perhaps in others, the feeling is more psychological than physiological. 

As the pregnancy progress, there is more demand from the fetus and the rest of the body organs. This will make the lungs to put extra effort to replenish the needed energy. In order to do this, pregnancy related hormones such as progesterone will play a crucial role. The progesterone will affect the lungs and the brain and will stimulate the lungs to breathe deeply and at a necessary pace although the breathing rate will not differ largely throughout the pregnancy. Thus, the amount of air taken in during inhalation and the amount of air breathed out during exhalation will increase without increasing the number of breaths taken per minute. 

As the pregnancy progress, the enlarging uterus will press against the diaphragm and will make it difficult to breathe. Pregnant mothers who are carrying multiple babies, having more amniotic fluid or else having the baby high up in the uterus may feel labored breathing more intensely than the others. However, towards the latter part of the pregnancy, the feeling may ease as the baby shifts down into the pelvis in preparation of delivery.

While these signs are normal and do not necessarily need further investigations or follow-up, there are few signs related to breathlessness that needs more attention.

For instance, if the you or your loved one is an asthmatic, the shortness of breath may be related to a worsening asthma. If the breathing is rapid, this can also indicate an abnormality and it is worse if it is associated with heart palpitation and rapid pulse. Some pregnant mothers may experience chest pain, which should also be looked into. At the same time, a cough with fever and chills associated with SOB should also be looked into as urgently as possible.

Thus, although it is not necessary to be alarmed of with regard to breathlessness experienced during pregnancy, if any of the danger signs are present or if you are unsure, it may be a good idea to seek medical attention as soon as possible.