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Feeling as though you cannot catch your breath is a very common and usually harmless side effect of pregnancy. A woman can feel out of breath after exercising, climbing stairs, and even after what feels like minimal effort on her part.
For a woman who is still early in her pregnancy and experiencing difficulties catching her breath, it is because her body needs to compensate for the extra oxygen it requires. The increased hormones in her body stimulate the respiratory center in the brain, increasing the amount of air taken in with each breath. Additionally, women who are carrying multiples or are carrying high tend to notice a more labored breathing pattern later in their pregnancy. This is because as a woman's uterus continues to grow during pregnancy, it decreases the room available for her internal organs. When a woman carries high or has multiples where less room is available, her diaphragm and lungs cannot fully expand, making it more difficult to breathe.
A woman may find that towards the end of her pregnancy it is actually easier to breathe again as the baby drops into the pelvis in preparation for birth. If not, it is recommended that a pregnant woman maintain correct posture to allow her lungs as much room as possible. Also, sleeping propped with a few pillows can assist with breathing at night. Otherwise, once her baby is delivered, a woman usually notices the sensation of breathlessness disappears.
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