Why do pregnant women often hold their breath?

Pregnant women often feel short of breath, which is sometimes a normal phenomenon, especially during pregnancy. As the fetus continues to grow, the increase in progesterone and pregnancy hormones will affect lung function, making the pregnant woman's breathing become short of breath and rapid.

1. Increased progesterone

As the pregnancy progresses, pregnant women will feel shortness of breath to varying degrees. Some pregnant women even have symptoms such as chest tightness and shortness of breath in the early stages of pregnancy. Experts point out that your body needs more oxygen after pregnancy, only in this way can your body adjust accordingly to ensure good health and the oxygen needed by the fetus. Coupled with the increase in hormones during pregnancy, your lung function will be directly affected at this time.

At the same time, the increase in progesterone will stimulate the respiratory center in your brain. Therefore, although the number of breaths per minute has not changed much during pregnancy, the amount of air you inhale each time will increase significantly.

2. Enlarged uterus

In addition to the increase in progesterone that can cause you to have symptoms of chest tightness and shortness of breath, the enlargement of the uterus will cause pregnant women to need more oxygen. Especially in the later stages of pregnancy, the uterus will increase by more than ten times or even dozens of times. In this case, the enlarged uterus will put pressure on the diaphragm. This is why you may feel your breathing is more labored and you may also feel more short of breath.

Especially if the fetus is in a high position, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing will be more obvious. In addition, for some pregnant women carrying multiple babies, the breathing difficulty will be more serious.

3. Symptoms disappear

In the later stages of pregnancy, the symptoms of chest tightness and shortness of breath are most obvious. Experts point out that this has a lot to do with the large secretion of progesterone and the enlargement of the uterus. Pregnant women don’t need to worry too much at this time. They just need to go to places with sufficient oxygen to breathe frequently to relieve these uncomfortable symptoms. In the weeks before delivery, the symptoms of shortness of breath will be significantly improved, especially for first-time pregnant women, you may feel that the symptoms of shortness of breath have been alleviated.

At this time, pregnant women will also have a sense of relief, which is actually a feeling of the fetus descending, and the reason is mostly because the fetus has entered the pelvis. This is also a sign before delivery, and pregnant women should pay attention to it.

4. Mitigation methods

When pregnant women feel chest tightness and shortness of breath, they should keep their upper body straight and their shoulders back. The purpose of this is to expand your lungs as much as possible, especially when you are sitting, you should expand your chest as much as possible, which can help you inhale more oxygen. When you sleep at night, you can use a few more pillows to raise your head a little, which may make you feel better.