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| |    Shortness of Breath During Pregnancy by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. reviewed by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. When I was pregnant, I was able to exercise and do other normal daily activities, but at the same time I could run out of breath in the middle of a sentence. A question shared by many pregnant women is: "Why?" Two main causes of shortness of breath during pregnancy There are two main reasons that pregnant women often feel short of breath: the pregnancy hormone, progesterone, and the expanding uterus. Many women start to notice the effects of progesterone as early as the first trimester. This hormone causes women to breathe more deeply than before pregnancy, and gives them a sense of discomfort, as if they are not breathing deeply enough. Late in pregnancy, as the uterus grows, the lungs don't expand as easily, leading to shallower respirations and shortness of breath. What can be done? Pregnancy is a time when it is particularly important to listen if your body is telling you to slow down. Slowing down when speaking, and exerting oneself less can help diminish this sensation. If you are exercising, you may need to decrease the strenuousness of your routine. Later in pregnancy, sitting up straight can give the lungs more space to expand. When is shortness of breath a sign of a problem? Sudden or severe shortness of breath, especially if it comes along with chest pain, pain with deep breathing, or coughing up blood can be a sign of pulmonary embolism. This is a dangerous condition caused by a blood clot traveling to the lung. Severe shortness of breath with a fever can be a sign of a lung infection, like pneumonia. This can be particularly dangerous in pregnant women with chicken pox. In general, women with these symptoms should see their doctors immediately. In addition, some women with asthma notice a worsening of their symptoms during pregnancy. If you are feeling short of breath with normal activities, see what you can do to make yourself feel better- whether changing position, varying your exercise routine, or speaking in shorter sentences. You will quickly breathe normally again after the baby is born.
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