January 2013 Moms
LoriLue31
member
Kendall, 1/1/13
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Shortness of breath
LoriLue31
member
I've been feeling like I have to keep breathing in deep or yawn a bunch, like I'm not getting enough. I know this is common later in pregnancy when everything is causing pressure, but 13 weeks (and 3 days haha had to add it)? Has anyone else felt like they aren't getting enough air?
Kendall, 1/1/13
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Re: Shortness of breath
I do get it sometimes. Well everyday, but not all day. It seems to be worse when I go from outside in the heat to ac inside. It is VERY annoying.
I have once since I've been pregnant but I've had shortness of breath problems for about 6/7 years. I went to the hospital about 4 or 5 times between 11th/12th grade and now due to "anxiety" driven chest tightness which affected my breathing.
Here are my tips:
1. Pursed lip breathing
https://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/2400/2408.asp?index=9443
Make sure to breathe out for a few seconds longer than your in breath because you want to make sure to expel all of the CO2 in your lungs.
2. Lay on your left side
Not sure where I read this but I've heard it helps so I usually try to position myself resting on my left side if pursed lip doesn't help alone.
I agree that this could be a symptom of anxiety. I have been having little anxiety episodes due to pregnancy hormones. (I often experienced them during PMS.) Breathing techniques should help.
"It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness." - Eleanor Roosevelt
Anemia can make you feel short of breath so make sure you a getting enough iron.
Also, the reson pregnant Often feel short of breath is only partly related to the pressure of the baby, the other part has to do with chemical changes causing a slight acidosis in the blood ( or maybe alkalosis...can't remember which) anyway that causes your body to feel short of breath when in reality your oxygen saturation is fine
So it is possible the pregnany is what is causing the shortess of breath.
This is interesting! I just assumed I was pumping too much blood and my body couldn't keep up. I really notice it when I go upstairs, and that's been since pretty early when I wasn't showing at all and hadn't told anyone, so I'm sure people just thought I was horribly out of shape. I remember being with a friend from out of town and getting winded after about one flight and her charitably saying, "This is quite a workout, huh" - oh man.
p.s. sorry guys! I tried to delete the one that didn't have the quote I meant to include, but it says I can't...I promise I'm not trying to be annoying!!
I have had anxiety attacks since I was 7. The shortness of breath can lead to an anxiety attack and then cause more shortness of breath, but I do think what I am feeling is initially something different. I'm just finding myself out of breath with normal day to day activities, even just talking. I have noticed laying on my left side at night helps a bunch!
Kendall, 1/1/13
I've had it going on for awhile too and started taking iron a week ago. I didn't know there were changes in the blood though. That is pretty interesting and can def help me relax if I am not doing it alone.
clariknittist: No problem! I am glad you're having the same symptoms (but sorry that you are). It makes me a bit calmer.
Kendall, 1/1/13