3rd trimester
28 weeks and so anxious, anyone else?
edvige
Hi all expecting moms!
I'm at a loss. I've been feeling a bit short of breath throughout my whole pregnancy, but I just accepted it at first.
At first I only had trouble during exertion, but for the past week I've been quite constantly quite short of breath. I also have a very pressing and painful feeling in my chest. It doesn't really ease up when resting, and at night it's pure hell. From about 3 AM I sleep in twenty-minute naps and wake up gasping for air.
Does anyone else recognize this? By the way, I've been checked at the hospital for heart defects or other medical conditions that could cause this. It came up nothing.
I'm at a loss. I've been feeling a bit short of breath throughout my whole pregnancy, but I just accepted it at first.
At first I only had trouble during exertion, but for the past week I've been quite constantly quite short of breath. I also have a very pressing and painful feeling in my chest. It doesn't really ease up when resting, and at night it's pure hell. From about 3 AM I sleep in twenty-minute naps and wake up gasping for air.
Does anyone else recognize this? By the way, I've been checked at the hospital for heart defects or other medical conditions that could cause this. It came up nothing.
Replies
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Anoniem Guest #2
The symptoms you're describing could also be related to hyperventilation. I've experienced this myself in a mild form: I genuinely thought I was having trouble breathing and even went to the ER, but it turned out I had too much oxygen in my blood!
Hyperventilation is caused by improper breathing. Once you start hyperventilating, you get a feeling of breathlessness, which keeps the hyperventilation going. During pregnancy, the pressure from the uterus causes you to breathe more shallowly, making it easier to breathe incorrectly and start hyperventilating. You can address these symptoms by adjusting your breathing and especially exhaling for much longer (you can easily find specific breathing techniques online). I'd say give it a try to see if it works, or ask your doctor if they can check whether you're hyperventilating.
During my current pregnancy (32 weeks along), I also tend to hyperventilate more easily, but by applying the right breathing technique, it goes away almost immediately.
Keep in mind: I'm not a doctor, so definitely get it checked out if you're unsure whether it's hyperventilation or a medical issue. -
skullie #3
Definitely get it checked out. If it's hyperventilation, relaxation therapy is definitely the way to go. During my first pregnancy, I started hyperventilating badly. I had palpitations and acute attacks. Thanks to that therapy, I got it under control. That was 14 years ago, though. My hyperventilation has become chronic. Now I'm feeling more of it again. This is indeed due to the pregnancy—your heart pumps harder because of the increased blood flow during pregnancy.
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