Week 38 • Third Trimester
Shortness of Breath at Week 38
Difficulty catching your breath
📆 Third Trimester Overview
Common - uterus pressing on diaphragm, less lung space
🔍 What Causes Shortness of Breath at Week 38?
- •Uterus pushing up on diaphragm
- •Progesterone increasing respiration
- •Increased oxygen needs
- •Reduced lung capacity
- •Growing baby taking up space
- •Anemia reducing oxygen
✓ Normal Signs
- ✓Breathless after stairs or activity
- ✓Feeling "can't get deep breath"
- ✓Worse when lying flat
- ✓Improves with rest
⚠ Concerning Signs
- ⚠Severe difficulty breathing
- ⚠Breathless at rest
- ⚠Rapid breathing or rapid heart rate
- ⚠Chest pain with breathlessness
- ⚠Lips or fingertips turning blue
💊 Relief Strategies
- ✓Sit up straight to create lung space
- ✓Sleep propped up on pillows
- ✓Move slowly, take breaks
- ✓Practice slow, deep breathing
- ✓Avoid overexertion
- ✓Stay cool
- ✓Treat anemia if present
- ✓Raise arms overhead to lift baby
🏥 When to Call Your Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:
- ⚠Severe difficulty breathing
- ⚠Breathless at rest
- ⚠Rapid heart rate or chest pain
- ⚠Blue lips or fingertips
- ⚠Coughing up blood
- ⚠Wheezing or severe asthma