Why Do Some Women Have Breathing Problems During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy brings a lot of changes and new experiences. Some good ones (like the famous pregnancy glow), while others, not so much. One such unpleasant experience for many pregnant women is shortness of breath. It may be experienced when you’re climbing stairs, speaking for an extended period, or even at times while sitting still.

If you have experienced any of these symptoms, you're not alone! And the good news is that in most cases, shortness of breath during pregnancy is quite normal. However, it’s equally important to know why it happens and how you can identify when it's a serious issue.

In this blog, we’ll be uncovering all such details about breathing problems during pregnancy. So keep reading!

How Might Pregnancy Affect My Breathing?

Your body goes through remarkable changes during pregnancy. And many of them directly affect your breathing.

The 1st major culprit behind this is increased progesterone. It’s a hormone that rises throughout pregnancy, and it acts on the brain's breathing centres. This causes you to breathe more deeply and quickly.

Plus, your growing uterus gradually pushes upward into your abdomen. This also puts pressure on your diaphragm (the dome-shaped part just below your lungs). As the uterus grows, it leaves your lungs with relatively less room to fill with air.

Furthermore, your blood volume also increases quite a lot during pregnancy. Meaning your heart has to work harder to pump blood to both you and your baby. And as per certain findings, that extra cardiac effort can also leave you feeling more breathless.

When Does Shortness of Breath Typically Begin?

Shortness of breath can happen during early pregnancy, due to changes in their hormone levels (higher amounts of progesterone). In fact, many pregnant women might find they feel breathless just after conception (due to progesterone increasing in the first trimester).

Some women also notice they become more breathless during the second trimester, depending on the uterus's growth pattern.

Many women also notice breathlessness as the baby begins to drop down in the final stretch of pregnancy. However, as the baby begins to descend into the pelvis (a process known as lightening), many women feel they can breathe more comfortably than before.

Symptoms and Signs to Monitor

Normal pregnancy breathlessness tends to come on gradually, gets better with rest, and isn't painful. But here are a few signs to watch for that indicate something may not be right:

• Sudden or severe breathlessness
• Breathing problems that keep getting worse
• Breathlessness accompanied by pain, coughing, wheezing, or heart palpitations

Common Causes of Shortness of Breath During Pregnancy

Beyond the everyday pregnancy changes, a few medical conditions can also cause breathing problems. These include:

1) Anaemia: Low iron levels reduce the blood's ability to carry oxygen, making breathlessness worse. This is very common in pregnancy and easily tested for.
2) Pulmonary embolism: A blood clot that travels to the lungs. This is rare, but pregnant women face a higher risk due to increased blood clotting. It causes sudden, severe breathlessness and chest pain. 
3) Pulmonary oedema: A rare, life-threatening pregnancy complication that causes fluid build-up in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.
4) Peripartum cardiomyopathy: A rare form of heart failure that can develop in late pregnancy or shortly after birth. Symptoms can mimic regular pregnancy symptoms, which is why unusual breathlessness should always be checked. 

Preventing and Managing Breathlessness During Pregnancy

While you can't entirely prevent breathlessness, here are a few simple habits to help you feel more comfortable:

• Improve Your Posture: Sitting or standing up straight gives your lungs the most room to expand. Slouching compresses your chest and makes breathing harder. When sleeping, prop yourself up with extra pillows or sleep on your left side.

Read more: Best Sleeping Position for Pregnant Women: What You Should Know

• Don't Rush Yourself : If climbing stairs leaves you breathless, slow down and take a break when needed. Pushing through is rarely necessary or even helpful. 

• Try Breathing Exercises: Slow, deep breaths can help you calm breathlessness and reduce the anxiety that sometimes makes it feel worse. Gentle exercises like prenatal yoga or swimming may also help to improve your lung function over time. 

When Should I Call the Doctor?

While most pregnancy-related breathlessness is harmless, you must contact your doctor if the condition:4

• Comes on suddenly or is severe
• Is accompanied by chest pain or pressure
• Comes with a rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Makes you feel dizzy, faint, or confused
• Comes with swelling in your legs

Summing Up

Breathing difficulties are quite common in pregnancy. In most cases, it is just a natural response to the changes your body is going through. And will most likely settle down on its own once you’ve given birth.

That said, it is important to monitor your breathing. And you must inform your doctor in case you experience additional alarming symptoms.