Causes of breathing problems during pregnancy and prevention methods to maintain normal breathing

Shortness of breath is one of the annoying problems faced by many pregnant women. This shortness of breath is usually not an indication of diseases, but rather results from the physiological changes that occur in the body during pregnancy. In the following lines, we will review through the "Dalili Medical" website the causes of shortness of breath during pregnancy and ways to alleviate it.

**What is shortness of breath during pregnancy?**

As pregnancy progresses, a woman may notice difficulty breathing, especially after doing daily activities such as climbing stairs. This problem is common and may even start in the first trimester of pregnancy, as about 60-70% of pregnant women suffer from shortness of breath during this period.

**Shortness of breath and the type of fetus**

Some mothers believe that shortness of breath or severe difficulty breathing during pregnancy may indicate pregnancy with a boy. However, shortness of breath is not considered evidence of the type of fetus. A study conducted on 34 pregnant women before knowing the type of fetus showed that pregnancy with a girl may be associated with increased shortness of breath more than pregnancy with a boy. However, doctors do not believe that there is a relationship between the pregnant woman's difficulty breathing and the gender of the fetus, and they classify shortness of breath as one of the common beliefs about pregnancy symptoms and the gender of the fetus, such as morning sickness, severe nausea, back pain, and other signs that are considered normal, but pregnant mothers often try to link them to the gender of the fetus.

Is shortness of breath common? And does it pose a risk to my baby due to lack of oxygen?

There is no need to worry, madam. Moderate shortness of breath is common and normal among pregnant women, as about 70% of them suffer from this condition. Although you feel like you have run a long distance after climbing the stairs, your baby is safe and getting enough oxygen, as long as you do not suffer from other worrying symptoms.

Are there natural factors that increase this feeling?

Yes, there are some natural factors that may lead to increased shortness of breath, and they are not a cause for concern, such as:

- Pregnancy with twins: The increase in the size of the uterus leads to greater pressure on the diaphragm.

- Increase in the volume of amniotic fluid: Which leads to an increase in the size of the uterus and thus an increase in pressure.

- Baby's position: If you have had a previous baby, your baby's head may not descend into your pelvis until after delivery, which can make you feel short of breath.

Is shortness of breath a sign of pregnancy?

Shortness of breath is not a sign of early pregnancy. Therefore, it is advisable to take a home pregnancy test or visit your doctor to confirm your pregnancy. You may also notice other symptoms that indicate early pregnancy, such as food cravings or aversions, nausea, mood swings, increased urination, and bloating.

How long will this shortness of breath last?

Most women, especially in their first pregnancy, find that the baby descends into the pelvis around week 36, which helps relieve the problem of shortness of breath. If you have had a baby before, your baby's head may not enter the pelvis until the end of pregnancy. In any case, after your baby is born, your body's progesterone levels drop significantly, which reduces the pressure of the baby and uterus on your diaphragm. It may take several weeks for the changes in your rib cage and breathing to return to pre-pregnancy levels.

How can you be sure that the shortness of breath you feel is normal and not a cause for concern?

One of the distinctive signs of normal shortness of breath is that it appears gradually. However, if you feel severe and sudden shortness of breath, you should inform your doctor.

There is no coughing accompanying shortness of breath or a rattling sound in the chest or some other symptoms that we will mention later.

If you feel this problem for the first time in the late months of pregnancy, this may be a sign of a problem, and you should inform your doctor.

If shortness of breath is not due to iron deficiency in your body, which can be confirmed through your blood tests.

Causes of shortness of breath during sleep for pregnant women

Shortness of breath often begins in the first three months of pregnancy, as the pregnant woman may feel short of breath during her sleep due to the hormonal and physical changes that she undergoes during pregnancy. We will explain this in detail below:

High progesterone: In the first few weeks of pregnancy, the natural increase in progesterone leads to an increase in the rate of breathing, which makes the woman feel something abnormal similar to shortness of breath. But there is no need to worry, as this hormone works to expand the capacity of the lungs, allowing the blood in the pregnant woman's body to transport large amounts of oxygen to the fetus.

The weight gain that a woman suffers from during pregnancy may lead to difficulty breathing, especially at night.

As the size of the fetus increases, the pregnant woman feels shortness of breath between the 31st and 34th week of pregnancy, as the expanding uterus and the pressure of the fetus on the diaphragm begin to reduce the ability of the lungs to fully expand during breathing, causing a feeling of discomfort.

Also, the significant increase in the volume of blood in the body during pregnancy requires the heart to pump blood more forcefully to distribute it to the body and placenta, which increases the workload on the heart and leads to the pregnant woman feeling short of breath.

**Causes of shortness of breath during pregnancy:**

- **Asthma:** Pregnancy may worsen asthma symptoms, so any woman suffering from this condition and planning to become pregnant should consult her doctor about available safe treatments, such as inhalers or other medications.

- **Peripartum cardiomyopathy:** This is a type of heart failure that may appear during pregnancy or immediately after childbirth. Symptoms include ankle swelling, low blood pressure, fatigue, and heart palpitations. Many women may attribute these symptoms to pregnancy, but this condition can seriously affect a woman's health and requires medical attention.

- **Pulmonary embolism:** This occurs when an artery in the lungs is blocked by a blood clot, which can severelyIt affects breathing and causes coughing, chest pain, and shortness of breath.

- **Amniotic fluid embolism:** is a complication of pregnancy, and results from the leakage of amniotic fluid or cells from the fetus or hair or any other material into the mother's bloodstream.

- **Water retention:** is a common problem during pregnancy, as fluid retention can affect the lungs and sinuses, making breathing more difficult.

- **Anemia:** The body relies on iron stores to form red blood cells that carry oxygen. In cases of anemia associated with iron deficiency, the body needs to work harder to provide oxygen to the mother and her baby, leading to shortness of breath. Therefore, mothers are often given high doses of iron supplements during pregnancy. Some other health conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and infectious diseases that affect the lungs, can also affect breathing during pregnancy.

**Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease**: If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is caused by a blood clot blocking a blood vessel in your lungs, your shortness of breath may be a sign that your condition is getting worse suddenly.

**Pneumothorax**: A partial collapse of the lungs caused by a small tear in the surface of the lungs, allowing air to collect in the space around the lungs.

**Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis**: A rare and poorly understood condition that causes scarring of the lungs.

**Pleural Effusion**: A buildup of fluid near the lungs.

**Pulmonary Hypertension**: High blood pressure in the arteries that supply the lungs.

**Bronchiectasis**: A lung condition characterized by abnormal widening of the airways, leading to a persistent cough with phlegm.

**Tuberculosis**.

**Coronavirus Infection**.

**Lung Cancer**.

**Pulmonary Edema**: A buildup of fluid inside the lungs.

**Silent heart attack**: A heart attack may occur without the typical symptoms of chest pain or severe anxiety, in which case shortness of breath may be the only sign of a heart attack.

**Heart failure**: Heart failure can lead to difficulty breathing, a life-threatening condition that means the heart is having trouble pumping enough blood around the body. This is often caused by a weakened heart muscle, which can build up fluid in the lungs and make breathing harder.

**Heart rate or rhythm problem**: Such as atrial fibrillation (an irregular, rapid heart rate) or supraventricular tachycardia (a regular, rapid heart rate).

Narrowing of the main heart valve: A condition that reduces blood flow to other parts of the body.

Cardiac arrest.

Pericarditis (inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart).

Cardiomyopathy.

Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis, also known as anaphylaxis, can occur as a result of taking certain antibiotics or due to insect bites or jellyfish stings and other conditions).

Diabetic ketoacidosis: A complication of diabetes, where acids build up in the blood and urine.

Anemia: Low oxygen levels in the blood due to a lack of red blood cells or hemoglobin (the component that carries oxygen in red blood cells).

Low blood pressure.

Diaphragmatic hernia.

Multiple sclerosis.

Ascites.

Severe gas: which puts pressure on the diaphragm and causes difficulty breathing.

Progesterone deficiency: Low levels of this hormone during pregnancy are the main cause of shortness of breath, as it stimulates the respiratory centers in the brain to increase the amount of oxygen available to the mother. As a result, air remains in the lungs for a longer period of time for oxygen to be extracted from it, ensuring that the fetus gets its needs.

The size of the fetus increases inside the uterus, and this reaches its peak in the last months of pregnancy, which leads to the fetus increasing pressure on the mother's diaphragm, causing difficulty breathing.

The increase in the amount of amniotic fluid also increases the pressure on the pregnant woman's rib cage, which weakens her ability to breathe comfortably and properly.

In the case of a twin pregnancy, the natural result is an increase in the size of the uterus, which leads to double pressure on the diaphragm and respiratory system, which increases the difficulty of breathing for the pregnant woman, especially in the last months of pregnancy.

As for shortness of breath in pregnant women in the fourth month, the woman enters the second trimester of pregnancy, where the fetus is formed and takes on a size inside the mother's uterus, which puts pressure on the diaphragm muscle, which is the muscle that separates the upper part containing the lungs and heart and the lower part containing the uterus. This pressure affects the lungs and reduces the amount of air that can be filled with them, which leads to a feeling of distress and fatigue.

As for the eighth month, the woman is in the third and final trimester of pregnancy, and shortness of breath during this period is related to the position of the fetus inside the uterus and its size. If the fetus's head is directed upwards under the diaphragm muscle, it will continue to put pressure on it, which affects the lungs and causes shortness of breath.

In the case of a twin pregnancy, the size of the fetus affects the space available for the lungs to breathe, so the larger the fetus, the more difficult it is to breathe, especially if the pregnancy is with twins, as the uterus increases in size and puts more pressure on the lungs.

**Increased amniotic fluid and shortness of breath:**

Amniotic fluid is the fluid that surrounds the fetus, as it plays a vital role in protecting it from shocks and providing it with nutrition and getting rid of waste. When the volume of this fluid increases, the uterus expands, which leads to increased pressure on the lungs, causing difficulty breathing in the pregnant woman.

In the first trimester of pregnancy, the fetus does not need to be large to affect the mother's breathing, as the diaphragm rises by about 4 cm. The movement of the diaphragm helps the lungs

Air filling, and although some women may not feel a significant change in breathing, others may find it difficult to take deep breaths. In addition, the body needs more oxygen during pregnancy, and adapts to this increase by raising hormone levels, especially progesterone, which directly affects the lungs and stimulates the respiratory center in the brain. Although the number of breaths may change slightly, the amount of air inhaled with each breath increases significantly.

In the second trimester of pregnancy, a pregnant woman may begin to feel more short of breath, usually due to the growth of the uterus and its pressure on the diaphragm, especially if the pregnant woman is carrying twins or suffers from an increase in the volume of amniotic fluid. The increase in the amount of blood in a woman's body during pregnancy may also lead to an increased burden on the heart, making it need to pump blood more forcefully to meet the needs of the body and the placenta, which may contribute to feeling short of breath.

In the third trimester of pregnancy, breathing may become easier or more difficult depending on the position of the baby's head. Some mothers may feel that the baby's head is pressing on the diaphragm, making it more difficult to breathe. This often happens between weeks 31 and 34 of pregnancy before the baby begins to turn and direct its head towards the uterus in preparation for birth, which may provide the mother with a greater sense of comfort in breathing after that.

**Symptoms of shortness of breath:**

- Feeling of pressure in the chest area.

- Feeling of suffocation.

- Needing to exert more effort than usual to catch one's breath.

- Wanting to breathe more frequently or quickly.

- Feeling unable to get oxygen as quickly as required.

- Difficulty taking a deep breath.

- Difficulty in inhaling and exhaling.

In addition to feeling like there is not enough air, shortness of breath may be accompanied by a range of other symptoms depending on the cause. In general, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

- Chest pressure.

- Rapid breathing.

- Heart palpitations.

- Wheezing (whistling) sound when breathing.

- Coughing.

- Swelling in the feet or ankles.

- High temperature with chills.

- Blue discoloration of the lips or fingertips.

- Swelling of the tongue.

- Hoarseness.

- Difficulty swallowing.

- Low oxygen levels when measured.

- Dizziness.

- Nausea.

- Mucus secretions.

- Sweating.

**The danger of shortness of breath in pregnant women**

Shortness of breath is a common condition among pregnant women, but sometimes this shortness of breath may be abnormal and indicate the presence of serious diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a doctor to conduct the necessary tests. In this paragraph, we will review the risks associated with some cases of shortness of breath:

**Asthma:** Shortness of breath may be a sign of asthma, as the airways are exposed to narrowing and increased mucus production, leading to airway obstruction and difficulty breathing. Therefore, ignoring shortness of breath may be dangerous, as it may be caused by asthma and indicates a medical condition.

**Peripartum cardiomyopathy:** It is common in the last months of pregnancy, where the heart function and contraction malfunction, which reduces the amount of blood pumped to the rest of the body. This results in heart failure and shortness of breath due to decreased blood flow. In this case, shortness of breath is a clear sign of a serious medical condition.

**Pulmonary embolism:** It is known as a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries due to a clot, which leads to breathing problems, especially when exerting effort. This embolism occurs frequently in pregnant women who gain weight during pregnancy, so shortness of breath should not be ignored, as it may lead to more serious heart problems, and the condition may sometimes lead to death.

**Anemia:** The fetus needs a healthy mother to provide it with food and oxygen. However, some pregnant women may not get enough nutrition, which leads to low levels of iron and hemoglobin, and thus the ability of hemoglobin to transport oxygen decreases, which causes shortness of breath. Anemia may lead to other health problems.

**Heart attack:** It occurs as a result of a blockage in one of the coronary arteries, which leads to a decrease in blood flow and results in shortness of breath and a feeling of fatigue. Heart attack is often associated with serious complications, such as sudden cardiac arrest. Therefore, if a pregnant woman feels shortness of breath with pressure in the head and neck, it is advisable to go to the doctor.

**Cases that require a visit to the doctor:**

- The appearance of blueness in the lips or fingers.

- Rapid heartbeat or heart palpitations.

- Feeling pain while breathing.

- Symptoms of shortness of breath worsen over time.

- Hearing a whistle while breathing.

- Suffering from a rapid heartbeat.

Suffering from a cough and difficulty breathing, in addition to a fever and a feeling of numbness in the extremities.

**Tips to relieve shortness of breath during pregnancy**

If you suffer from severe shortness of breath during pregnancy, you can follow the following tips to relieve the symptoms:

1. **Relaxation**: The anxiety associated with shortness of breath may worsen the condition, so it is important to try to relax.

2. **Exercise**: It is preferable to consult a doctor first to determine the appropriate exercises that a pregnant woman can safely practice to relieve shortness of breath.

3. **Pay attention to the correct posture**: Care must be taken to maintain a straight posture, by pushing the shoulders back and raising the head and chest up.

4. **Take a break**: It is important for a pregnant woman to take breaks when feeling tired from any physical activity, and to avoid strenuous activities that may lead to an acceleration of the breathing rate.

5. **Sleep in a comfortable position**: It is preferable for a pregnant woman to sleep on a chair with a high back or on high pillows, so that the chest and head areas remain higher than the rest of the body.

6. **Monitor weight regularly**: Weight should be monitored during pregnancy, as excessive gain may lead to worsening shortness of breath.

**Treatment of shortness of breath in pregnant women**

Treatment of occasional shortness of breath is considered

Pregnant women have an easy task, as it requires some instructions and directions to perform the correct movements, in addition to using some herbs and auxiliary medications:

**Breathing exercises:** Breathing exercises are effective in improving the position of the diaphragm muscle, allowing the lungs to expand and receive oxygen better. Among these exercises, you can stand and take a deep breath while raising your arms to the sides and then up, then exhale while returning your arms to their position, while moving your head during inhalation and exhalation. These exercises will contribute to improving oxygen levels significantly.

**Yoga:** Yoga is an effective way to control breathing and enhance physical fitness. Yoga helps renew energy in the body and get rid of negative energy, which makes it useful in regulating and improving breathing. It is recommended to practice some yoga exercises daily to relieve shortness of breath.

**Herbs to treat difficulty breathing:** There are some herbs that help expand the airways, calm coughs, and relax muscles, which improves the breathing process. Among these herbs are wild thyme, hyssop, and ginkgo, but they should be taken with caution because some herbs may cause side effects for pregnant women.

**Medications for treating shortness of breath:** Medications can be used to treat occasional or pathological shortness of breath, but you should look for medications that are safe for the pregnant woman and the fetus, such as bronchodilators and phlegm medications, and they should be taken under the supervision of a specialist doctor.

**Adjusting the sleeping position:** The sleeping position plays an important role in improving breathing, as some incorrect positions may increase pressure on the blood vessels and reduce the amount of oxygen available to the cells. It is preferable to sleep on the left side with the knee slightly bent and use pillows to get a comfortable position, as pillows can be placed under the abdomen, neck, back or between the legs.

**Treating shortness of breath with herbs**

Herbs can be used to treat shortness of breath and suffocation in pregnant women. The following methods are:

- **Guava leaves:** Boil for 10 minutes, then filter and drink three times a day.

- **Leaves:** Mix with honey and eat as breakfast daily.

- **Sesame oil:** Take half a cup daily before bed to improve breathing.

- **Ivy:** Drink a cup of boiled ivy leaves daily, with the possibility of sweetening it with white honey.

- **Ginger:** Drink two cups of ginger daily to relieve shortness of breath.

- **Fenugreek:** Drink three cups of fenugreek daily to get rid of suffocation and shortness of breath.

Carrot juice: Carrot juice is used to relieve shortness of breath, and a little onion or garlic can be added to enhance the benefit.

Cloves: Soaking cloves in water, and drinking a cup of it in the morning on an empty stomach helps facilitate the breathing process.

Eating red pepper also helps reduce the feeling of suffocation and shortness of breath.

Garlic and onions: Crushing a small amount of garlic or eating onions daily helps improve the breathing process and reduce the feeling of shortness of breath.