What should pregnant women do if they feel chest tightness and shortness of breath?

Many pregnant women are prone to chest tightness and shortness of breath during pregnancy. However, we don’t quite know the reason, and long-term chest tightness and shortness of breath are threatening to the health of both the pregnant woman and the baby. Therefore, if pregnant women have this condition, they should learn more about this aspect so that they can prevent and treat it. So what are the causes of chest tightness and shortness of breath in pregnant women? What methods can we use to treat it?

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.

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.

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.

If you experience chest tightness and shortness of breath, pregnant women should keep their upper body straight and their shoulders spread back. The purpose is to open the lungs, which can help you inhale more oxygen. You should also raise your pillow a little when you sleep, which may make you feel better. So pregnant women must be taken good care of.