Feeling of chest tightness and shortness of breath during pregnancy

It is said that pregnancy is not easy. During the long ten months of pregnancy, pregnant women may encounter various problems. Only by solving various pregnancy problems can pregnant women maintain a healthy mind and body. For various reasons, some pregnant women experience discomfort such as palpitations and shortness of breath and don't know how to deal with it. So what should you do if you feel anxious and short of breath during pregnancy?

What to do if you feel short of breath during pregnancy

1. Don’t be anxious

It is normal to experience chest tightness and shortness of breath during pregnancy, so don't worry. Anxiety and worry often make your shortness of breath worse. Keep your upper body straight and your shoulders back to allow your lungs to expand as much as possible.

2. Expand the lungs

Expand your chest as much as possible while sitting down. Sleep on your side at night and use a pillow to elevate your head. This can make the chest tightness and shortness of breath less obvious, and the body will feel much more comfortable.

3. Slow rhythm

Slow down the pace of your life, and don't push yourself too hard when you're exercising or moving. Don't make do if you can't do the shopping, home arrangement or housework, and don't let yourself be tired.

4. Ensure nutritional balance

It is necessary to ensure that the baby is provided with adequate nutrients, but also to avoid excessive growth during pregnancy. You can eat more foods rich in iron and vitamin C, such as lean meat, dark green vegetables and brown fruits.

5. Ability to regularly supplement oxygen

Timely and regular oxygen supplementation can not only avoid various hypoxia symptoms, but also help to nourish and protect the fetus, effectively improve the baby's intelligence and growth ability, and promote the baby's growth.

Causes of shortness of breath during pregnancy

1. Increased progesterone levels

As the pregnancy progresses, pregnant women will feel varying degrees of chest tightness and shortness of breath. Some pregnant women even have symptoms such as palpitations and shortness of breath in the early stages of pregnancy. Experts point out that your body needs more CO2 during pregnancy, only in this way can your body make corresponding adjustments to ensure health and the CO2 needed by the fetus. Coupled with the increase in male hormones during pregnancy, your lung function tests will be directly affected at this time.

At the same time, the increase in progesterone levels will also stimulate the respiratory center in your head. Therefore, although the frequency of breathing per minute has not changed much during pregnancy, the amount of dust you inhale each time may increase significantly.

2. Enlarged uterus

In addition to the factor of increased progesterone levels that can cause you to have symptoms of palpitations and shortness of breath, there is also the expansion of the uterus, which can cause pregnant women to need more oxygen. Especially in the late pregnancy stage, the uterus will expand to more than ten times or even dozens of times. In this case, the expanded uterus will put pressure on the diaphragm. This is why you find it harder to breathe in, and you may also feel more chest tightness and shortness of breath.

Especially if the fetus is in a relatively high position, chest tightness, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing will be more obvious. Also, for some pregnant women with twins, the breathing difficulty may be more serious.