Shortness of breath during pregnancy is worrisome?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Lai Thi Nguyet Hang - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital.

Pregnancy difficulty breathing is a common condition for pregnant women because at this time, a woman's body changes a lot compared to normal. Pregnancy symptoms of shortness of breath make pregnant women worry, especially when pregnant women have difficulty breathing at night. So is shortness of breath during pregnancy really worrisome?

1. Causes of breathing difficulty in pregnant women in the first month of pregnancy

At the beginning of pregnancy, the diaphragm - the band of muscle tissue that separates the heart and lungs from the abdomen increases, changing the breathing process of pregnant women.
Besides, the increase in progesterone hormone levels also causes pregnant women to breathe faster and more to get oxygen for the fetus, thus, making it difficult for pregnant women to breathe.

2. Causes of breathing difficulty in the last 3 months of pregnancy

Starting from the 4th month of pregnancy, the growing uterus will put pressure on the diaphragm, making it difficult for pregnant women to breathe, especially in the last 3 months of pregnancy.
Another cause of shortness of breath during pregnancy is due to the increased amount of blood in the body, causing the heart to work harder to transport blood in the body to the placenta, which makes pregnant women feel tired when breathing. difficult breathing.
In addition, the position of the baby in the abdomen also makes it difficult for pregnant women to breathe.

3. Other causes for pregnant women to have difficulty breathing

Shortness of breath during pregnancy is mainly due to changes of the body to nourish the baby, however, there are still some other causes of shortness of breath during pregnancy, which are:
Asthma : If Having asthma during pregnancy can make your symptoms worse. Perinatal cardiomyopathy, which can occur during pregnancy or after birth, is a type of heart failure. Symptoms of the disease such as swollen ankles, low blood pressure, heart palpitations, fatigue, making it difficult for pregnant women to breathe. These symptoms lead many women to mistake them as signs of pregnancy. However, perinatal cardiomyopathy seriously affects the health of pregnant women, so it needs to be treated. Pulmonary embolism: Usually occurs when a blood clot gets stuck in a pulmonary artery, so it can affect breathing and cause shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain. Water retention in the body: Most pregnant women often experience edema during pregnancy due to water retention. When there is edema, the accumulation of water in the pregnant woman's body will affect the lungs and sinuses, making it difficult to breathe. Anemia: During pregnancy, the body needs more iron than usual to produce the necessary red blood cells and carry oxygen to nourish the fetus and other organs in the body. The lack of iron also means that anemia will cause the body to work harder than normal to make oxygen, leading to shortness of breath.

4. How to reduce pregnancy difficulty breathing?

Rest: First of all, pregnant women need to rest immediately when having difficulty breathing as well as finding it necessary, because during pregnancy, women cannot perform physical activities as usual.
Change position: When having difficulty breathing, pregnant women can adjust their position to be able to breathe more easily. Keeping your back straight when sitting or standing will give the lungs space to receive oxygen easily. If pregnant women have difficulty breathing at night, they can put pillows on the back and upper body to avoid the fetus putting pressure on the lungs. Pregnant women should also lie on their left side so that the uterus does not press on the aorta, making breathing easier.
Gentle exercise: Pregnant women should practice breathing exercises that are often applied during childbirth to make breathing easier. Gentle, moderate exercise such as walking, yoga, ... are good measures to help regulate heart rate and improve breathing. However, pregnant women should consult and consult a doctor before practicing.

5. When is it difficult to breathe during pregnancy?

Shortness of breath and rapid breathing during pregnancy usually does not harm both mother and baby. Pregnant women just need to rest, have a reasonable working regime, travel lightly, and limit heavy and overexertion work. However, pregnant women with shortness of breath accompanied by the following symptoms should go to the hospital or medical facilities for immediate examination:
Severe asthma. Rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, or persistently elevated heart rate. Feeling chest pain or pain when breathing. Cough is continuous and prolonged, accompanied by fever, chills, wheezing. Fingers, legs and lips turn purple, blue. Pregnant women with chronic diseases. Shortness of breath during pregnancy is a common condition that does not affect both mother and baby. However, having difficulty breathing during pregnancy becomes worrisome when accompanied by the above symptoms. Pregnant women need to visit the hospital soon.
Maternity care packages of Vinmec International General Hospital will closely monitor and check each stage of pregnancy, detect signs of instability during pregnancy for timely intervention. Joining the package, pregnant women will be assured of a healthy, convenient and comfortable pregnancy as possible.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.