Community› The Bump Message Boards› 3rd Trimester
3rd Trimester
New Discussion

Is this normal?

Mrsstick09Mrsstick09
in 3rd Trimester

I am about a week into my third trimester, not showing at all (still wearing regular clothes) but having a tremendously hard time breathing. I have shortness of breath and instead of breathing be a natural thing, I feel like I have to force myself or make myself remember. It worried me at first, a friend that went to nursing school put me at ease but it has not gone away all day. I'm not even doing anything. I'm at my desk, taking regular breaks and occassionally walking. I also just happened to get an email about 10 minutes ago with the title "pregnancy symptoms you should never avoid" with shortness of breath and difficulty breathing being an emergency situation. I put a call into my doctor but had to leave a message. Has anyone else had this problem with breathing??? I could understand if I was out at the mall walking around or working out but I am just sitting here....

BabyName Ticker Pregnancy Ticker
Report Reply to Post

Re: Is this normal?

  • veronica2447veronica2447
    It's a good thing you called your doctor, better safe than sorry. My LO likes to hang around towards the top of my belly and sometimes i feel short of breath when LO is moving around alot up there,but it's never for long.
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • aggiemegaggiemeg member

    Calling your doc is a good idea.

     That being said, maybe this will put your mind at ease:  I'm workin on baby #3 and have had trouble catching my breath with all 3 pregnancies (not only while being active... also in bed, sitting down, etc.).  Your blood volume has increased tremendously, and your body has to work harder (i.e., breathe more rapidly) to oxygenate all that blood for you and baby.  In addition, even though you're not showing much, your baby is probably somewhere around 3 lbs, plus placenta and fluids and everything.  That's got to take up some room somewhere, and if you're not showing, it's all hidden in your abdomen, displacing and cramping organs that previously had lots of room, including your lungs.

    So, it's good to call your doc and be cautious, but in the meantime, try not to worry; it makes sense that you'd be out of breath.

    IAmPregnant Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • Cameron11Cameron11 member

    I experienced extreme difficulty in breathing for a three week period (aprox. week 28-31, not showing at all).  Everyone is different but I'll share my experience just in case it's helpful to you... 

    My first symptoms came on suddenly and out of nowhere.  Until this point, I had a perfect pregancy with no morning sickness, not super tired, etc.  At first, it felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest.  It was a combo of chest pressure and moderate difficulty breathing.   At first I was told the baby was pressing on my lungs and acid reflux but I knew that wasn't right. 

    The symptoms progressed to severe wheezing/gasping (even while laying down) and terrible coughing.  I went to the doctor 9 times in three weeks (OB, ER, family doctor and pulminologist).    As the symptoms changed/progessed, so did the diagnosis and medications.  I was given everything from tums, tylenol, rescue inhaler, symbicort inhaler, oral steroids (which helped a ton), and a Z pack.  It was eventually settled that I had asthma and bronchitis.  The pulminologist told me that it's actually fairly common to develop asthma during pregnancy, especially around this time because of a hormonal spike.  I'm not convinced they figured out what was actually wrong or know exactly what helped but it went away as suddenly as it came.  I'm almost 37 weeks, feel GREAT and the baby is healthy:)

    What I learned...  I was made to feel like a dramatic, hormonal pregnant woman (in the beginning).  The baby was pressing on my lungs my a#%$/!  Listen to your body and be assertive if you feel something is wrong.  Get a second (or third) opinion if needed. 

    Report Reply
  • Mrsstick09Mrsstick09

    Thank y'all! I talked to my nurse and when I described the symptoms, she cut me off and told me to go straight to the hospital and that it wasn't normal. They hooked me and my baby up to a monitor and were worried I wasn't getting enough oxygen. Once they ruled that theory out, they made me feel dramatic by telling me nothing was wrong with me. Nothing? Well obviously not or else I wouldn't be here. I spent 2 hours there, to be told I was fine, our vitals were fine and I was sent home. Feeling much better today but it wouldn't shock me if I have developed asthma. It hasnt completely gone away but I felt the same way you did, with the feeling of an elephant on my chest.

     Weird, but thankful everything is okay!

    BabyName Ticker Pregnancy Ticker
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"