(How to relieve breathing difficulties during pregnancy)
Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, is one of the most common problems women have during pregnancy. Dyspnea generally doesn’t affect the mother or the developing child. However, it can still cause breathing problems in some extremely complicated severe cases. Learn the causes of breathlessness during pregnancy and how to feel better in this blog.
Causes of breathlessness during pregnancy
Shortness of breath during the first trimester of pregnancy is the result of higher progesterone levels. Your brain is stimulated by pregnancy hormones(reproductive hormones) to breathe more frequently and deeply, which helps you get more oxygen for the developing baby. As your uterus expands later in pregnancy, it presses up on your diaphragm. This constricts your lungs, making it difficult for them to fully expand when you take a breath.
How to cope with breathlessness during pregnancy
Good posture
Your lungs will suffer if you bend when sitting since they won’t have enough room to expand while you breathe in. For your lungs to have the most capacity to expand, sit up straight and keep your shoulders back (especially when you are sitting.)
Sleeping comfortably
The proper sleeping position(sleeping difficulty) during pregnancy aids in maintaining a relaxed airway and improved breathing. Hence, while you sleep, raise yourself a little with a few additional pillows.
Breathing techniques
You can breathe more easily if you practise breathing exercises as prescribed by your doctor.
Relax
When you need to take a break, pay attention to what your body is telling you and take a rest.
When will the breathlessness end
When your baby finally enters your pelvis at the end of your pregnancy, you might feel much less shortness of breath.
When should you contact my doctor?
Speak with your doctor if you frequently feel out of breath. Sometimes, anaemia during pregnancy might result in breathlessness. Additionally, if you have asthma, speak to your doctor about it. If you have any of the following symptoms then contact your doctor right away.
- Blue lips, fingers, or toes
- Heart palpitations or extremely high heart rate
- Pain when breathing
- Severe shortness of breath that seems to be getting worse
- Wheezing
To conclude
Thus, breathlessness during pregnancy may start in the first trimester and increase with time as a result of hormonal changes and increased pressure from the baby on the diaphragm. Pregnancy-related breathlessness is typically not harmful. It can normally be treated at home, and after birth, it will go away on its own. Meanwhile, if you frequently feel out of breath, then consult your doctor.
