Is Shortness of Breath During Pregnancy Dangerous? How to Overcome It?

The condition of shortness of breath during pregnancy commonly appears as women enter the third trimester. This can cause fatigue, heaviness, tension, and increased anxiety. Therefore, identifying the causes, remedies, and improving this issue is crucial, ensuring a healthy pregnancy and a comfortable state of mind.

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What is shortness of breath during pregnancy?

Shortness of breath during pregnancy is a fairly common condition that can occur in any pregnant woman, especially those entering the later months of pregnancy. Shortness of breath can make pregnant women feel breathless, have shallow breathing, and feel more frequent and rapid breaths.

In fact, during pregnancy, the body’s oxygen demand increases by about 20% compared to normal, which is why pregnant women find it difficult to breathe or experience shortness of breath. Most cases of this issue do not require medical treatment or intervention, but only require the application of appropriate breathing exercises or activities to enhance the respiratory process.

However, in many cases, shortness of breath during pregnancy may be due to pathological causes or abnormal signs of the fetus. In such situations, it is necessary to seek specialized medical facilities for examination and receive advice and assistance from a physician as soon as possible.

Breathlessness during pregnancy is a fairly common condition.

Causes of shortness of breath during pregnancy

Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing during pregnancy can be caused by various factors, including:

The first factor leading to pregnant women experiencing shortness of breath and difficulty breathing during pregnancy is wearing improperly sized clothing or rapid weight gain, causing tight clothing to constrict the body and result in difficulty breathing. During pregnancy, the baby also requires oxygen from the mother to maintain respiration, so the mother’s body needs more oxygen than usual, and rapid breathing is a way to intake oxygen for the body.
During pregnancy, the hormone progesterone increases significantly, which can make women feel breathless due to hormonal disturbances, directly affecting the lungs and stimulating the respiratory center in the brain.
During the pregnancy period, the uterus gradually enlarges, constantly compressing the diaphragm. Meanwhile, the diaphragm is an important organ responsible for coordinating with the lungs to bring oxygen into the lungs. When the uterus compresses the diaphragm, the diaphragm’s expansion capacity is significantly restricted, causing continuous shortness of breath, especially for first-time pregnant women.
Anemia is a common condition in pregnant women, which is also a cause of shortness of breath. If it persists without appropriate and timely treatment, it can lead to increasingly severe problems, with a persistent sense of breathlessness throughout the pregnancy, with no signs of improvement. Additionally, pregnant women may experience symptoms such as fatigue, pale skin, dizziness, and lightheadedness.

Is shortness of breath during pregnancy dangerous and does it affect the fetus?

Many expectant mothers, especially those experiencing pregnancy for the first time, often feel deeply concerned when they encounter symptoms of shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, fearing it may impact the fetus. However, as mentioned earlier, this is a relatively common occurrence that can affect any pregnant woman.

Therefore, if shortness of breath and difficulty breathing are not accompanied by any other worrisome symptoms, you can rest assured that there is no issue with yourself, and the baby is still developing perfectly normally. Instead, it is advisable to regularly practice deep and steady breathing to ensure the baby receives an adequate supply of oxygen to sustain life.

However, in some specific cases, shortness of breath accompanied by abnormal signs may be due to the expectant mother having certain medical conditions, which can potentially affect the fetus to some extent. Specifically:

Asthma: Breathlessness and difficulty speaking during pregnancy can become more severe when the expectant mother has asthma.
Cardiac myopathy: This is a form of heart failure that often occurs during pregnancy or postpartum. When afflicted with this condition, pregnant women may experience symptoms such as swelling of the ankles, fatigue, shortness of breath, and low blood pressure.
Pulmonary embolism: This is a condition that occurs when blood clots become trapped in the pulmonary artery, thereby affecting the pregnant mother’s breathing process. If not promptly addressed, it can cause the expectant mother to experience increased breathlessness, coughing, and chest pain.
Fluid retention: During pregnancy, most women experience fluid retention, leading to edema. At this stage, pregnant women may experience difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, and nasal congestion.
Anemia: During pregnancy, the body requires more iron than usual to produce enough red blood cells to nourish the fetus and other organs. At this time, the pregnant body has to work harder than usual to obtain the necessary amount of oxygen.

Breathlessness is a normal condition, but in many cases, it can be very dangerous.

When should a pregnant woman see a doctor if experiencing shortness of breath?

While it is a relatively normal symptom during pregnancy, pregnant women should immediately consult a doctor if they experience any of the following symptoms:

Persistent and prolonged coughing, accompanied by fever and chills.
Rapid, erratic, and prolonged breathing.
Feeling pain in the chest or other organs every time they breathe.
The expectant mother has a pale complexion, feels weak, and has bluish skin on the lips, fingertips, and toes.
Particularly, if experiencing shortness of breath while sleeping, accompanied by the skin on the feet turning red and swelling, it is necessary to go to the hospital immediately, as it could be a sign of danger to both the mother and the fetus.

What to do when experiencing shortness of breath during pregnancy?

Typically, experiencing shortness of breath during pregnancy does not adversely affect the mother or the fetus. However, to minimize this condition and ensure the expectant mother’s physical and mental comfort, the following approaches can be applied:

Opt for looser-fitting clothing to avoid any discomfort, tightness, or difficulty in breathing. Additionally, wearing loose clothes can facilitate better sleep and easier movement for pregnant women.
Establish a suitable, balanced work and rest schedule, reducing working hours and increasing resting time, along with incorporating exercises that promote overall health.
Move and perform activities gently, avoiding strenuous tasks that may lead to shortness of breath and bodily fatigue.
Ensure an adequate intake of essential nutrients such as iron, vitamins, calcium, folic acid, all of which are crucial for the mother’s health and the comprehensive development of the child.
Limit the consumption of spicy, oily foods, and refrain from alcohol, stimulants, and tobacco. It is also advisable to consult nutrition experts for specialized pregnancy diets.
Practice sitting with a straight posture, pushing the shoulders back to facilitate easier airflow into the lungs. This helps expand the lungs, particularly relieving pressure on the diaphragm.
While standing, pregnant women should maintain a straight back posture as symptoms of shortness of breath often recur while standing.
When sleeping, adding an extra small pillow or thin blanket to the upper body can help reduce the pressure exerted on the lungs by the fetus.
Regularly engage in pregnancy-specific exercises suitable for each stage, such as walking, yoga, swimming, and gentle exercises for the arms and legs. This will help control breathing more effectively.
Pregnant women should also undergo regular prenatal check-ups as per the doctor’s schedule. It helps in timely detection of underlying signs and risks that could potentially harm the health of both the mother and the baby, thereby allowing for more effective remedies.

We have just explored the causes, level of danger, and ways to alleviate the condition of shortness of breath during pregnancy. This is a sensitive phase, so it is essential for women to monitor their body’s signs regularly and undergo frequent check-ups to ensure the best health for both the mother and the baby.