During pregnancy, a woman may experience difficulty breathing after performing daily tasks, such as climbing stairs. Doctors note that this condition is often linked to the growing uterus pushing up toward the lungs, making it harder to breathe. In this article, we will discuss shortness of breath during pregnancy.
Causes of shortness of breath during pregnancy
Although shortness of breath is a common symptom of pregnancy, it is not always possible to pinpoint a single cause. Shortness of breath is linked to various factors, ranging from an enlarging uterus to cardiovascular changes.
Some women may notice changes in their breathing almost immediately, while others only observe them during the second or third trimester of the pregnancy calendar.
First trimester
The fetus does not need to be large to cause changes in a pregnant woman's breathing.
The diaphragm is a band of muscle tissue that separates the heart and lungs from the abdominal cavity; it rises by up to 4 cm during the first trimester of pregnancy. The movement of the diaphragm helps draw air into the lungs. While some women may be unaware of these changes that cause them to breathe more deeply, others notice that they are unable to take a full, deep breath.
In addition to changes in the diaphragm, pregnant women breathe more deeply due to an increase in the pregnancy hormone (progesterone). Progesterone plays an important role in fetal development. It also aids breathing by making a woman's breathing deeper. Although deeper breathing does not cause shortness of breath, some women may notice breathing-related changes and perceive them as shortness of breath.
Second trimester
Pregnant women experience noticeable shortness of breath during the second trimester. In the second trimester of pregnancy, the enlargement of the uterus causes shortness of breath. However, certain changes in heart function can also lead to shortness of breath.
During pregnancy, the amount of blood in a woman's body also increases significantly.
The heart must pump harder to circulate this blood throughout the body and send it to the placenta. This increased workload on the heart can also cause shortness of breath in a pregnant woman.
Third trimester
In the third trimester, breathing may become easier or more difficult, depending mostly on the position of the growing baby's head. Before the baby turns and begins dropping into the pelvis, the head can feel as though it is right under the ribs and pushing against the diaphragm, making it hard to breathe.
According to reports, this type of shortness of breath usually occurs between weeks 31 and 34.
Additional causes
If shortness of breath in a pregnant woman is severe, comes on suddenly, or comes with chest pain or a rapid heartbeat, call an ambulance immediately; if it is getting worse gradually, she must still see a doctor. Although pregnancy-related changes can cause breathlessness, other medical conditions may also contribute to the issue.
These include the following:
- Asthma: Pregnancy can worsen existing asthma symptoms. Every woman with asthma should consult a specialist about safe treatment options during pregnancy.
- Peripartum cardiomyopathy: This is a type of heart disease that can develop in the last months of pregnancy or within a few months (up to 5 months) after childbirth. Symptoms may include leg swelling, low blood pressure, and fatigue, but this condition can seriously affect a pregnant woman's health and usually requires specialized treatment;
- Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot forms in the pulmonary artery. An embolism can severely impact breathing and cause coughing, chest pain, coughing up blood, and sudden shortness of breath. This is a life-threatening condition — if these signs appear, call an ambulance immediately.
Related: Pneumonia during pregnancy
How can it be managed?
Experiencing shortness of breath can cause discomfort and limit a person's physical activity.
Fortunately, there are ways to help pregnant women breathe more easily. In particular,
- Moving in a proper posture allows the uterus to move as far away from the diaphragm as possible;
- Maternity support belts make it easier to maintain good posture while moving;
- Sleeping on your side with extra pillows under your head and shoulders (after 28 weeks, you should not sleep on your back) helps the uterus “shift” downward and gives the lungs more relief;
- Practicing breathing exercises commonly used in childbirth to ease breathing.
If a woman has another underlying medical condition causing shortness of breath, the doctor's treatment recommendations must be followed.
Pregnant women should seek immediate medical attention in the following cases:
- blueness of the lips, fingers, or toes;
- rapid heartbeat;
- pain when breathing;
- worsening shortness of breath;
- wheezing.
Useful article: Anemia in pregnancy — symptoms, causes, and treatment methods
