Out of breath?

AEM371 · September 2014

I haven't posted on here before, but I follow along with the other postings and thought I'd ask you ladies about breathing/light headed issues!

Before pregnancy I would occasionally get light headed when my blood sugar dropped and could usually fix it pretty quickly by eating snack (typically peanut butter, bananas, orange juice, etc).

I'm right at 6 months pregnant now and for the past few days Ive been experiencing this feeling almost no -stop. I've been treating it like my usual low blood sugar, but its not working like it used to. Also, the lightheaded feeling is stronger and I'm winded. I get the sensation that my heart is racing, then I find it hard to take deep breaths (which probably makes the lightheaded feeling worse).

Anyways, I feel like I've tried all the different tips to curb the feeling and I called my doctor this morning. The nurse didn't seem super concerned unless I start passing out. She told me to come in on Friday if the symptoms continue. But I dont want to feel like this for the next 3 days--has anyone else felt like this? And if so, does anyone have any helpful hints?

Thanks!

Edvent · September 2014

I've been having this a lot lately. I vaguely remember it from when I was pregnant with DD, but it seems worse this time. I called in and the nurse feels like it's due to blood volume changes and said it's very normal at this point in pregnancy. She recommended getting up slowly, lying on my left side, and making sure I'm eating and drinking enough.

I really notice it if I sit crouched on the floor (playing with DD) too long, or if I bend over for too long. This morning I was looking for some shoes under the bed and after that it seemed like it took an hour to feel normal again. Drinking plenty of water and taking it easy seem to help me the most. Hope you feel better soon!

Milagros315 · September 2014

Yep, I get out of breath easily too especially when I'm lecturing. For me, I think it's because I've been having a really stuffy/bloody nose for almost the whole pregnancy. I can't breathe out of my nose very well so when I'm talking too much I get out of breath and light-headed.

I hope that you find some relief or that your doctor has some good advice for you!

AEM371 · September 2014

Thanks ladies! I definitely need to up my water intake during the day....

brakerbaby · September 2014

I also find breathing yoga style helps my pulse slow a bit. I do this until my breathing gets better too

emilyp2013 · September 2014

I have a similar thing to this in a way. The heart racing sensation is the extra blood which stretches your atria (upper chambers of your heart) which is where your heart's natural pacemaker lies. The stretching can cause the pacemaker to send out the signal to pump more frequently than normal (per my cardiologist). Shortness of breath is common as things get crowded in there. Best remedy is to not only drink ample water and eat frequent snacks, but if you are having an episode of fast or skipped beats with difficulty breathing you want to stop and take a few big, deep breathes, and then try to bear down like you are straining to have a bowel movement (except don't, you know, actually work for a bowel movement. Lol). Hold the push for a count to ten and then take a few more deep breaths. That's what I have to do to stop or slow down a heart rhythm disorder that I have. It really helps. I need to use a medication now to control it but I had the disorder before and the pregnancy just kinda pushed it over my natural coping edge. Haha :-) Best of luck.

Ckhath07 · September 2014

You may be iron deficient. Have you had your blood levels checked? Breathlessness is common in pregnancy but it sounds like yours may be something a little more. Anemia can make you feel way more short of breath as well as dizzy...

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