Pregnant women always feel short of breath

Pregnant women are a group of people with relatively special physical conditions. During pregnancy, women will not only undergo great physical changes, but also have more physiological reactions. The most common reactions in pregnant women include drowsiness, vomiting, and swelling of the legs and feet in the later stages. Some women experience constant breathlessness during pregnancy. So, why do pregnant women always have difficulty breathing?

Chest tightness and shortness of breath in pregnant women refers to the phenomenon that pregnant women may experience chest tightness and shortness of breath after pregnancy, and feel uncomfortable and uncomfortable when exhaling. Excluding heart problems, this is a normal phenomenon.

After 28 weeks of pregnancy, as the weight of the pregnant woman continues to increase, it becomes increasingly inconvenient for her to move. Because the heart and lungs of the pregnant woman are under a double burden during pregnancy, she must absolutely avoid excessive fatigue and strenuous exercise. The cause of this breathing difficulty is often due to the increase in the size of the uterus, which presses upward on the abdominal diaphragm, thereby reducing the volume of the chest cavity, causing the pregnant woman to become short of breath and feel suffocated.

First, the enlargement of the abdomen during pregnancy causes increased abdominal pressure, which affects the respiratory movement of the diaphragm and thoracic respiratory muscles; secondly, compression of the inferior vena artery and vein reduces the amount of blood returning to the heart, and the fetus's metabolic waste is discharged into the mother's blood, causing a slight imbalance of the mother's blood electrolytes, mainly mild acidosis.

The growing fetus causes the diaphragm to rise, which can cause chest tightness and shortness of breath. There is no need to worry or take medication. Just improve your diet and nutrition, pay attention to rest, try to eat small meals frequently, and have regular prenatal checkups. Eat a healthy, balanced diet that provides your baby with all the necessary nutrients.

Also, avoid gaining too much weight during pregnancy. Avoid eating too many foods that are high in fat, salt, and sugar, as these foods can add weight and make your breathlessness worse. Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water throughout the day and cutting back on caffeine and other beverages that cause you to urinate more frequently.