Shortness of breath in pregnancy: find out if it is normal and what are the causes

Being expecting a baby is a time of doubts and many uncertainties. When shortness of breath appears in pregnancy, then the concern only increases. Is this common? Is there any way to improve? To answer these and other questions, we talked to gynecologist and obstetrician Dr. Patrícia Germanovix do Carmo (CRM PR 21605 / RQE 16603). Check out.

Is it normal to have shortness of breath during pregnancy?

Yes, it’s normal. During pregnancy, from the very beginning, the body undergoes changes in all its systems. These changes, in fact, are necessary adaptations so that the uterus can become almost 20 times larger than it normally is. In the respiratory system this is no different. According to Dr. Patricia, the physiological changes (normal) make the pregnant woman’s breathing become more superficial (shorter) and a little faster, which can cause a feeling of fatigue or shortness of breath.

This sensation, however, is not intense enough to prevent the performance of everyday tasks, such as changing clothes and taking a shower, for example. This is already noticeable from the first trimester of pregnancy and becomes more noticeable as the weeks progress. In the third trimester, the size of the uterus starts to hinder the expansion of the lungs, making these symptoms more evident.

When to see the doctor: when shortness of breath starts suddenly (suddenly) and is associated with chest pain, for example, or severe shortness of breath that makes it difficult to perform simple activities, or is getting worse very quickly. In these cases, medical attention should be sought immediately.

Causes of shortness of breath in pregnancy

As mentioned by Dr. Patrícia Germanovix do Carmo, shortness of breath is a common condition during pregnancy. Some of the factors that can cause it are:

• Hormonal changes: especially in the first three months of pregnancy, the hormonal changes that the body goes through can lead to this feeling of shortness of breath.
• Baby growth: as the baby grows, the ability of the pregnant woman’s rib cage to expand is reduced, since the diaphragm and lungs are gradually being compressed.
• Weight of the uterus: it occurs especially when the woman lies on her back and does not breathe normally. This happens because of the weight of the uterus on the vena cava, which is responsible for returning blood from the limbs to the heart.

The ideal is always to ask your questions during prenatal care so that your obstetrician can assess when additional evaluation is necessary.

how to relieve

Around week 36, when the baby is seated, the shortness of breath usually goes away. Until that moment arrives, it is worth following the tips below:

1. Lie on your side

In this way, it is possible to facilitate the return of blood to the limbs, since the aorta artery, which is on the left side, has a thicker wall and better tolerates compression.

2. Try to control anxiety

Pregnancy can be restless, but it’s important to try to relax. That’s because one of the symptoms associated with anxiety is, precisely, shortness of breath. So avoid stressful situations and try breathing exercises and meditation.

3. Be careful while exercising

Dr. Patrícia recommends avoiding an increase in heart rate above 120 bpm (beats per minute), not exercising in intense heat and not activities that are not recommended for pregnant women (high-performance aerobic exercises, for example).

Don’t worry: this shortness of breath doesn’t reach the baby, who receives the oxygen he needs through the blood.

Videos about shortness of breath in pregnancy: understand more about it

Supplement what you’ve already learned about shortness of breath in pregnancy with the selection of videos below.

Pregnant with shortness of breath: what could it be?

Presenting images of a human lung, Dr. Ricardo Cabral explains a little more about the causes of shortness of breath in pregnant women. Play the video to check it out.

Respiratory system changes during pregnancy

Understanding the changes that a pregnant woman’s body goes through can help bring more tranquility. See what changes in the respiratory system.

Breathing techniques in pregnancy

Needing to be calmer? Try doing these exercises. According to Viviany Loureiro, the practice of conscious breathing is a good resource to regain balance of body, mind and spirit at this important moment.

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