Breathlessness in pregnancy

Breathlessness, or dyspnea, is a common and often distressing symptom experienced by many women during pregnancy. The multifaceted causes of breathlessness in this context can be attributed to a combination of physiological changes and pathological conditions. During pregnancy, significant alterations in the maternal body occur, including increased blood volume, shifts in hormonal levels, and mechanical compression from the enlarging uterus, all of which can affect respiratory function and lead to feelings of breathlessness (Muzaffar et al., 2022; Lee et al., 2017).

Physiological adaptations of the respiratory system begin early in pregnancy and usually manifest as increased tidal volume and respiratory rate. These adjustments serve to meet the augmented oxygen demands of both the mother and the developing fetus. However, by the third trimester, the displacement of the diaphragm by the expanding uterus can hinder normal lung expansion, resulting in increased work of breathing and potentially exacerbating dyspnea (Muzaffar et al., 2022; Lapinsky, 2017). Studies suggest that nearly 75% of pregnant women report some degree of exertional dyspnea, particularly within the first 30 weeks of gestation (Muzaffar et al., 2022), underscoring how prevalent this symptom is during pregnancy.