Shortness of breath !

[Ecologic]

Hello all,

I started to have shortness of breath here and there in the middle of the week at week 13. This week has been particularly bad for me, non stop shortness of breath since Monday (at week 15). At first I thought maybe some allergies were responsible but now I think it's the uterus compressing my breathing organs.

What can I do (not much I know)?? When is that going away... after the delivery of the baby or can I hope to get some relief before? I see my OB-GYN Monday but I wanted to see if this problem is very common and particularly this early!

[JourneyJoJo]

I had shortness of breath in my first trimester.  It improved over the second trimester, but it's back now that I've entered my third trimester.  Same pattern with fatigue.  For me, it was just a "normal" symptom of pregnancy.  It doesn't hurt to ask your doctor though.

[allie_44107]

Hi there-I too have had the same shortness of breath since about 10 weeks.  I am now 18 weeks and it comes nad goes-some days it is very bad and others I can live with it.  I mentioned it to my doc and he just said the baby is taking most of the oxygen reserve so it is nothing to worry about.  I too have a tipped uterus so maybe that does have something to do with it.  Best of luck to you!

[Ecologic]

I am not dizzy or feeling faint and my oxygen levels are normal (I have an oxymeter), "just" shortness of breath. I am feeling better tonight which is great but now I am worried that it will come back anytime, that leaves me utterly exhausted nights and days, fortunately I was not working this week but I don't know how I'll be able to keep working!

I was told I may have a tipped uterus, I also have pretty bad back pains on one side (but that I can live with) so it could explain the shortness of breath as well. My OB-Gyn will tell me if that's exactly the case or not.

[rubyinparadise]

i had some pretty intense shortness of breath just lying in bed in the middle of the night about a week ago. i asked my midwife about it and she seemed to think it was a pretty normal thing, given that everything is pressing upwards into the diaphragm and our lung capacity goes down a bit while pregnant.

[riley10]

I had shortness of breath since about 8-9 weeks of pregnancy.  Still have it.  I'll walk up a flight of stairs and be out of breath.  I'm not overweight and workout about 3-4 days a week.  It's crazy.  Mentioned it to doctor and he didn't seem too concerned.  I agree with Adgal, if you're faint or dizzy then I'd be more concerned.

[adgal]

It is true that as the uterus expands it can press against the diaghram causing shortness of breath.  However, this is usually much later on in pregnancy when the uterus is 3 or 4 inches above the belly button.  I don't think that is the case at only 13 or 15 weeks.  The uterus is just not high enough or big enough yet.  I do think you should probably talk to your Dr. If it is causing you to feel faint or dizzy, it might be best to not wait until monday.  Take care.