Should I use oxygen if I have chest tightness at 26 weeks?

Everyone knows that pregnancy is very difficult for women. As the fetus grows slowly inside the body, the pregnant woman's internal organs are squeezed together, and the pregnant woman will feel very uncomfortable. Many pregnant women find it very difficult to walk. They often feel shortness of breath, chest tightness and shortness of breath while walking, and even feel chest tightness when sleeping. So, if a pregnant woman feels chest tightness at 26 weeks, does she need oxygen?

Chest tightness in late pregnancy is a normal phenomenon because the enlarged uterus and hormonal changes will affect the mother's cardiopulmonary function. The maternal blood volume during pregnancy increases by an average of 1,500 liters compared to the non-pregnant period, and the increase in plasma far exceeds the increase in red blood cells, resulting in a decrease in the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity. On the other hand, the heart rate during pregnancy increases by 10-15 beats per minute, and the heart's output increases by 25%-30%, which means that the heart's workload is significantly greater than when not pregnant, which can cause insufficient cardiac output, resulting in insufficient oxygen supply to tissues and causing chest tightness.

In addition, the pressure of the enlarged uterus and fetus on the lungs causes the chest cavity volume to decrease, the expansion of the lungs is restricted to a certain extent, and the oxygen entering the alveoli is reduced, which affects the normal respiratory function and makes pregnant mothers feel short of breath and chest tightness.

When chest tightness is more severe, the quickest way to relieve it is to breathe oxygen. You can explain the situation to the doctor. Hospitals generally provide oxygen equipment. Therefore, pregnant mothers who are 26 weeks pregnant can decide based on their personal circumstances. If they feel breathing is particularly difficult, they can breathe oxygen. In normal times, expectant mothers should avoid wearing tight clothes, especially tight underwear, because it will hinder blood circulation, compress the heart and lungs, and cause chest tightness. Therefore, expectant mothers should wear loose clothes.