Shortness of Breath
Difficulty catching your breath or feeling winded with minimal activity. Common throughout pregnancy, especially in third trimester.
Sources: ACOG, NIH | Last updated: March 2026
📅 When It Occurs
Can begin first trimester, typically worsens as pregnancy progresses, may improve when baby drops
📊 How Common
Affects 60-70% of pregnant women
Overview
Feeling breathless during pregnancy can range from slightly winded after climbing stairs to feeling like you can't get a full, deep breath even at rest. It's one of those pregnancy symptoms that can be alarming but is usually completely normal.
In early pregnancy, shortness of breath is caused by hormones and increased oxygen needs. As pregnancy progresses, your growing uterus pushes your diaphragm up, reducing your lung capacity by about 20%. Despite this, you're actually breathing more efficiently and getting more oxygen.
Most women feel some relief once the baby "drops" in late pregnancy (around 36-38 weeks), when the baby's head moves down into the pelvis, taking pressure off the diaphragm.
📆 By Trimester
First Trimester
Can occur due to hormonal changes and increased oxygen needs
Second Trimester
Continues as uterus grows and takes up more space
Third Trimester
Most pronounced until baby drops, then often improves
🔍 What Causes It?
- •Progesterone hormone causing you to breathe more deeply
- •Growing uterus pushing diaphragm up about 4cm
- •Reduced lung capacity due to less expansion room
- •Increased oxygen needs of you and your baby
- •Extra blood volume requiring more oxygen
- •Weight gain and carrying extra weight
- •Anemia (low iron) reducing oxygen-carrying capacity
💡 Relief Strategies
- ✓Maintain good posture - stand and sit up straight to maximize lung space
- ✓Sleep propped up with pillows rather than lying flat
- ✓Move slowly and avoid rushing
- ✓Take breaks and rest when needed
- ✓Practice breathing exercises and prenatal yoga
- ✓Stay active with moderate exercise to improve cardiovascular fitness
- ✓Avoid large meals which can push stomach against diaphragm
- ✓Keep a healthy weight gain pace
- ✓Ensure you're getting enough iron (have levels checked)
- ✓Raise your arms above your head to give lungs more space
- ✓Use fans or cool air to make breathing feel easier
- ✓Don't lie flat - keep head elevated
🛍️ Comfort Products That May Help
Comfort and preparation products other expecting parents find helpful at this stage. These are convenience picks, not medical advice — always follow your provider's guidance.
Full-Body Pregnancy Pillow
U-shaped support for side-sleeping that helps take pressure off hips and back.
Check Price on Amazon →Acid-Reflux Wedge Pillow
An incline pillow that helps you rest more comfortably propped up at night.
Check Price on Amazon →Amazon Associates Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. These recommendations are editorially chosen comfort and preparation products and are not medical advice.
⚠️ When to Call Your Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:
- ⚠Sudden severe shortness of breath
- ⚠Chest pain or rapid heartbeat with breathlessness
- ⚠Blue lips or fingernails
- ⚠Shortness of breath with fever, cough, or chills
- ⚠Feeling faint or dizzy with breathlessness
- ⚠Severe shortness of breath that interferes with normal activities
- ⚠Shortness of breath that worsens when lying down
- ⚠Signs of asthma attack if you have asthma
📅 Explore by Trimester
Learn how this symptom and others change throughout your pregnancy journey: