Breathlessness during the eighth month of pregnancy means feeling a loss of breath. Find out the causes behind breathlessness and whether it affects the health of your baby.Breathlessness during the eighth month of pregnancy is considered to be quite natural. Whether you are moving around the house, or doing your regular activity, you will find yourself feeling a loss of breath quite often. You will notice that your breathing is becoming more rapid and shallow. There is nothing to fear about this, rather let us see why this actually happens. In this articleReasons for Breathlessness During PregnancyPoints to Be Careful AboutWays to Cope with and Prevent BreathlessnessReasons for Breathlessness During Pregnancy You breathe through your lungs and as the baby grow in size; your uterus also gets expanded accordingly. Now, as the uterus expands, it pushes against the diaphragm. This pressure builds up from underneath the diaphragm and results in a compression of the lungs. This compression makes you breathe in more air and frequently, resulting in breathlessness; which also gets aggravated if you are involved in any activity that requires more oxygen supply. There is nothing to panic or get worried about your health or your baby. This symptom is natural and will not harm your baby in any way. The point here is that, if you are carrying twins, or you are overweight, you will have more troubles due to breathlessness. Though this is a natural symptom as said earlier in the eighth month of pregnancy, it is advisable to maintain the desired ideal weight before you get pregnant and also during the early stages of pregnancy through proper workouts. This will give you the stamina to deal with the symptom more effectively. There can be another reason to breathlessness. If the mother is suffering from low iron content or anemia, breathlessness gets further aggravated. The reason being, the metabolic rate gets even more stressed as it must meet the requirements for you and your baby at a faster pace. The extra effort put in by your body requires more oxygen and thus the frequent rapid breathing. Asthma can be another cause behind breathlessness. This can be determined by your doctor after a thorough diagnosis and checkup. Appropriate medications can help you deal with the symptom. Points to Be Careful About Although breathlessness is normal at this stage, however, if you notice any of the following symptoms associated with breathlessness, you must immediately report to your doctor – Acute palpitations A racing pulse rate Any discomfort or pain in your chest Abnormal sweating in the fingers and toes Ways to Cope with and Prevent Breathlessness Let us have a look at some of the ways to prevent breathlessness during pregnancy. Check your Diet - You need to carefully control your weight gain during your pregnancy term. Start right from the moment you decide to conceive. Maintain your fitness and your ideal weight. This can be easily done with regular workouts and healthy and balanced diet. Food items that are high in empty calories, like those that are fatty, salty and high in sugar content will not have any nutritive value but add on to your weight. So these must be avoided at all costs. Avoid Dehydration – Breathlessness can easily result in dehydration. So you must make sure that you are taking in a lot of fluids throughout the day. Drink plenty of water and fruit juices. Be careful that you are not opting for aerated drinks to quench your thirst. Also you must avoid or reduce your caffeine intake as it aggravates dehydration as you will be prone to pass urine recurrently. Ensure Intake of Essential Supplements – These can be in the form of medicines, if suggested by your doctor or you must ensure that your regular diet has adequate amounts of the vital minerals like iron and vitamin C. Leafy green veggies, lean meat and all dark coloured berries should be a part of your diet. You can also opt for a multivitamin supplement or liquid iron supplement as necessary. Workout Regularly – You must regularly exercise in order to keep yourself fit. But note, you must seek the advice of your doctor and perform your training under a certified fitness expert only. Do not exercise if your doctor advises against it. Breathlessness can be effectively reduced and countered with regular yoga and several other breathing exercises. These help to rejuvenate the body, freshen up the lungs and keep you feeling better and energised.
Breathlessness during the eighth month of pregnancy means feeling a loss of breath. Find out the causes behind breathlessness and whether it affects the health of your baby.Breathlessness during the eighth month of pregnancy is considered to be quite natural. Whether you are moving around the house, or doing your regular activity, you will find yourself feeling a loss of breath quite often. You will notice that your breathing is becoming more rapid and shallow. There is nothing to fear about this, rather let us see why this actually happens.
Reasons for Breathlessness During Pregnancy
You breathe through your lungs and as the baby grow in size; your uterus also gets expanded accordingly. Now, as the uterus expands, it pushes against the diaphragm. This pressure builds up from underneath the diaphragm and results in a compression of the lungs. This compression makes you breathe in more air and frequently, resulting in breathlessness; which also gets aggravated if you are involved in any activity that requires more oxygen supply.
There is nothing to panic or get worried about your health or your baby. This symptom is natural and will not harm your baby in any way. The point here is that, if you are carrying twins, or you are overweight, you will have more troubles due to breathlessness. Though this is a natural symptom as said earlier in the eighth month of pregnancy, it is advisable to maintain the desired ideal weight before you get pregnant and also during the early stages of pregnancy through proper workouts. This will give you the stamina to deal with the symptom more effectively.
There can be another reason to breathlessness. If the mother is suffering from low iron content or anemia, breathlessness gets further aggravated. The reason being, the metabolic rate gets even more stressed as it must meet the requirements for you and your baby at a faster pace. The extra effort put in by your body requires more oxygen and thus the frequent rapid breathing.
Asthma can be another cause behind breathlessness. This can be determined by your doctor after a thorough diagnosis and checkup. Appropriate medications can help you deal with the symptom.
Points to Be Careful About
Although breathlessness is normal at this stage, however, if you notice any of the following symptoms associated with breathlessness, you must immediately report to your doctor –
- Any discomfort or pain in your chest
- Abnormal sweating in the fingers and toes
Ways to Cope with and Prevent Breathlessness
Let us have a look at some of the ways to prevent breathlessness during pregnancy.
Check your Diet - You need to carefully control your weight gain during your pregnancy term. Start right from the moment you decide to conceive. Maintain your fitness and your ideal weight. This can be easily done with regular workouts and healthy and balanced diet. Food items that are high in empty calories, like those that are fatty, salty and high in sugar content will not have any nutritive value but add on to your weight. So these must be avoided at all costs.
Avoid Dehydration – Breathlessness can easily result in dehydration. So you must make sure that you are taking in a lot of fluids throughout the day. Drink plenty of water and fruit juices. Be careful that you are not opting for aerated drinks to quench your thirst. Also you must avoid or reduce your caffeine intake as it aggravates dehydration as you will be prone to pass urine recurrently.
Ensure Intake of Essential Supplements – These can be in the form of medicines, if suggested by your doctor or you must ensure that your regular diet has adequate amounts of the vital minerals like iron and vitamin C. Leafy green veggies, lean meat and all dark coloured berries should be a part of your diet. You can also opt for a multivitamin supplement or liquid iron supplement as necessary.
Workout Regularly – You must regularly exercise in order to keep yourself fit. But note, you must seek the advice of your doctor and perform your training under a certified fitness expert only. Do not exercise if your doctor advises against it.
Breathlessness can be effectively reduced and countered with regular yoga and several other breathing exercises. These help to rejuvenate the body, freshen up the lungs and keep you feeling better and energised.
