Shortness of breath is experienced by pregnant during early and late pregnancy. This is usually harmless and doesn’t affect the amount of oxygen the baby gets.
 

Causes of shortness of breath during pregnancy ?

Early pregnancy

During early pregnancy,  the spike in the hormone progesterone causes shortness of breath. This  hormone  expands the capacity of your lungs allowing more blood to carry large quantities of oxygen to your baby. This makes you breathe more and it feels like shortness of breath.

Later pregnancy
 

As   your baby get bigger during pregnancy, your uterus takes up more room in your belly and this causes shortness of breath. The uterus shifts other organs in the body. Around pregnancy week 31 to 34 , the uterus pushes on the diaphragm. This makes it harder for your lungs to expand to it’s  full capacity and causes shallow breaths.

End of pregnancy
 

During the latter part of pregnancy, your baby settles deep into your pelvis to prepare for the labor and delivery. It causes you to have less shortness of breath. This is because pressure on the lungs and diaphragm is reduced.

How to manage shortness of breath during pregnancy .

These tips may help you breathe better during pregnancy.

• sit and stand up straight to give your lungs more room to expand
• lift your arms over your head to relieve pressure of your rib cages and make breathing better
• slow down and take it easy to reduce the work load  of  your heart and lungs
• prop your upper body with a pillow when sleeping

When to call your health care provider.

Contact your doctor if shortness of breath is severe and  you experience the following symptoms.

• chest pain
• rapid pulse
• dizziness
• heart palpitations
• fever or chills
• worsening asthma
• coughing of blood
• blue lips, fingers and toes
• cough that does not go away