Why is it difficult to breathe during pregnancy?

Difficulty in exhaling during pregnancy is actually difficulty breathing. This phenomenon often occurs after pregnancy, and may occur in the early, middle and late stages. Especially in the early stages, there are early pregnancy reactions. If there is also difficulty breathing, it will definitely make the pregnant woman very uncomfortable. As a family member, you naturally have to find out the reasons. So, why does it make it difficult to breathe during pregnancy? Let’s take a look at the reasons below.

Most pregnant women will experience breathing difficulties at all stages from pregnancy to delivery. In the late pregnancy stage, pregnant women are more likely to experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, and rapid heartbeat. Excluding those caused by cardiopulmonary diseases or other high-risk pregnancy diseases, the main causes of dyspnea can be divided into the following points.

1. Early pregnancy

Difficulty breathing in early pregnancy may be caused by early pregnancy reactions. At this time, pregnant mothers often feel tired and have palpitations, and the dyspnea at this time is psychogenic dyspnea. Increased hormone levels can also speed up breathing

2. Second trimester

In the second half of pregnancy, the pregnant mother has begun to adapt to the pregnancy process, and the body's hormonal circulation system has also changed. The fetus grows rapidly, and the pregnant mother may experience breathing difficulties due to anemia. The increase in blood volume and anemia in pregnant women increase the burden on the heart, causing their breathing to become more rapid.

3. Late pregnancy

Breathing difficulties are more common in pregnant women during late pregnancy. In the late pregnancy, the uterus continues to grow, pushing the diaphragm upward, causing the chest cavity to become smaller and increasing the pressure on the diaphragm, thereby affecting the activity of the heart and lungs; the fetus continues to grow and the body's oxygen demand increases, thus forcing the pregnant woman to speed up her breathing. At this time, the pregnant mother will use short and shallow breaths to increase the amount of oxygen breathed into the lungs, so she will feel difficulty breathing.

What to do if a pregnant woman has difficulty breathing

1. Supplement electrolytes and vitamin B6

In the early stages of pregnancy, expectant mothers are prone to severe morning sickness. At this time, they should properly supplement electrolyte fluids to avoid dehydration. Sometimes they can also consume vitamin B6 to slightly relieve these discomforts. Of course, you also need enough rest to allow your heart to adjust and reduce breathing difficulties.

2. Increase protein intake

Generally speaking, the most appropriate weight gain during the entire pregnancy is 12-15 kg. Gaining too much weight will only cause burden on the expectant mother's heart, compression on the spine and circulatory pressure. It is recommended that expectant mothers reduce their sugar intake and increase their protein intake, so that the weight gain will not result in puffiness or edema. In addition, you can also try to use red bean water to eliminate water vapor in the body, which is also a good method.

3. Reduce activity

Around 30 weeks of pregnancy, expectant mothers will experience psychogenic dyspnea. The only way to deal with it at this time is to reduce activity to allow the body to adapt. After a few weeks of wheezing, the condition gradually improved, but then she was about to face the pain of labor, which stimulated her heart and increased the burden on her heart, and the wheezing phenomenon reappeared.

4. Help oxygen absorption

To increase oxygen intake, pregnant mothers can go to places with better environments to take a walk and breathe fresh air; if necessary, go to the hospital to breathe oxygen.