Pregnancy Breathing Issues: Is it normal shortness of breath or is it Asthma
It can be difficult determining when to be concerned about asthma during pregnancy because it’s hard to tell if your breathing is normal or if you’re having an asthma attack.
Being pregnant changes a woman’s body and it’s common to become short of breath as the pregnancy progresses. This doesn’t mean that you can’t have a normal, healthy pregnancy just because you suffer from asthma. You will, however, need to keep a close eye on your symptoms and take steps to keep it under control.
Why Shortness of Breath occurs:
Understanding how being pregnant affects the body will help you determine when being short of breath is normal and when there is reason for concern. As you begin to gain weight the body starts going through changes to accommodate for the extra weight. The lungs must work harder, so the number of times you breathe in per minute will increase and become more rapid. As the baby grows your stomach pushes up on the diaphragm, which also makes it more difficult to breathe.
Warning Signs – When to Be Concerned about Asthma during Pregnancy
Since being pregnant can affect your breathing, you don’t want to become alarmed every time you become a little short of breath, but you do need to know how to tell when your symptoms are severe enough for concern. If you notice some of the signs of asthma listed below, it may be cause for concern:
• If it becomes difficult to perform everyday tasks that you normally do while pregnant because it’s harder for you to breathe than usual.
• Coughing at night that keeps you awake
• If it becomes painful to breathe for no apparent reason.
• If you’re talking on the phone and you hear yourself wheezing, you may have a problem.
• If your medication doesn’t provide improvement right away or if you realize you need to take it more often.
• If you notice a decrease in the number of kicks you feel from your unborn baby and you’re having problems breathing, this could be a sign of fetal distress and cause for concern.
Get Urgent Medical Attention:
If you notice any of these warning signs, it’s recommended you see your health care provider as soon as possible. This is a critical time for you and your unborn baby. Having an asthma attack when pregnant can cause serious complications for both of you. Therefore, no asthma symptoms should be ignored, even if you’re not sure of its serious.
What if you already have asthma and get pregnant?
Since being pregnant can change the severity of your asthma attacks and no one knows how you’ll be affected, it’s important to use your own judgment. If something doesn’t feel normal or your symptoms seem worse than they should be, then it’s reason for concern.
Having a serious asthma attack can be harmful to your unborn child. If you feel uneasy about your symptoms, see your doctor. If you believe you may be having an asthma attack, seek help immediately. Use your own judgment for when to be concerned about asthma during pregnancy and if it doesn’t feel right, see your doctor.
Looking for an asthma clinic near you? We serve patients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, Avondale, and Anthem. Call today at 602-242-4592, or book an appointment immediately online here!