Shortness of Breath During Pregnancy - Glen Head,NY

I imagine that what Julie means is to be sure your PCP and OB/GYN are up to date on what's going on, since you've already consulted a pulmonary and a cardiac specialist. This problem started so early in the pregnancy that it can't be due to the fetus pressing on the lungs, I imagine. So for 9 weeks, you've had no answers. When in this 9 week period did you see the 2 specialists? Recently, or early on? Do you have a history of bronchitis? Since you say no shortness of breath before, I'm guessing not. Do you have a history of colds, flu or upper respiratory issues? Allergies? I'd ask the PCP for a referral to a good hospital team. If you're in Glen Head, that could mean going to NYC but maybe also Long Island Jewish or another hospital on LI. I think you need a full work-up. The swollen and bloody nose is interesting - frustrating and problematic. Have you had issues before with a suppressed immune system? Are you prone to illnesses? I work in immune system support and usually when we see someone with multiple symptoms, a comprehensive nutritional solution works wonders. Maybe it doesn't solve everything, but it gives a basis and helps the meds to work. I think you would benefit from a 2nd opinion on the heart/lungs but I think you need a team in good communication with your OB/GYN. My husband just had some issues and the first round of appointments weren't well coordinated by the professionals, even though they were part of the same hospital. We went to Boston and have had nothing but fabulous guidance and thoroughness, with every member of the interdisciplinary team working well together, checking notes, caring about our heads as well as his body, and so on. I think you need to demand better answers if you can't breathe when you are sitting still. Please get someone objective to go with you and take copious notes - a friend, but not your best friend! Someone with a little distance, enough to be objective, but close enough to really care.

I had the stuffy nose throughout my pregnancies. I also had bloody noses and I have never had at any other time.
I read in my pregnancy books ("what to expect") that this was fairly typical. I remember asking my doctor about it and it has to do with your hormones and the extra blood flow to your mucous membranes. I'm sure if you ask your doctor they'd be able to tell you - or just Google it. The stuffy nose/nose bleeds is something my sister had too.

I was told to use a humidifier, to drink plenty of water, and I used a nasal saline spray.

The shortness of breath could be coming from feeling congested. Ask your doctor about it. Good luck :)

Possibly anxiety? Are you holding your abs or chest muscles tightly without realizing it?

well, it was smart to see a pulmonologist and a cardiologist, so you've ruled out the big baddies. that should be alleviating some of your concern, so i'm not sure why you are 'so scared.' have you also spoken to your OB? if not, that should be your next step.
i mean, it's almost certainly just a pregnancy symptom, which are strange and varied and very individual. annoying yes. very scary, no.
just be sensible.
your heart and lungs are fine. you're not anemic. you don't have blood clots.
you're growing a baby.
this is no time for hypochondria.
use a humidifier and a little vicks inside your nostrils. drink plenty of water. exercise lightly and don't push it too hard. but do keep moving. growing a baby is important work, and you need to be calm and strong and sensible to do it as well as possible. and then when the baby's born you'll need even more to be calm and strong and sensible.
good luck!
khairete
S.

your nose is bloody, take vitamin c it will stop the bloody nose. thats what the dr. told me to do and it worked.lots of vitamin c drinks also.are you not sleeping very well. lack of sleep will make you have shortness of breath. or baby is big pushing on your insides.near your stomach. its like being hit in the stomach it takes your breath away but not painful.dont lie flat on your back at night.. try also steam for your nose.

It's good you've been checked out and your doctors say you're ok.
Knowing your heart and lungs are ok should give you some comfort.
Your blood volume increases during pregnancy and we tend to hold more water than usual.
So watch your salt intake and drink plenty of water.
A stuffy nose is common - a humidifier or steamy showers might help with that.
If you can find a pool, try spending some time floating in it.
When I was pregnant it took so much pressure off my back I never wanted to get out of the water.
You've got a way to go yet but you'll get through this.
Hang in there!

Baby is growing in your belly taking up more space. Which means that your insides are rearranging to make room, and also pushing on your diaphragm. Totally normal.
Try some stretching, particularly around your ribcage and mid back. This is the area where muscles get taxed the most during pregnancy. Keeping them loose will help you take a deep breath. It will also help relieve congestion. (little trick my chiropractor taught me!)

Stuffy nose syndrome is a very real pregnancy symptom. I had it with both my pregnancies. It's annoying because I definitely enjoy being able to breath through my nose - not really a fan of dry mouth and dry lips. Also, my husband isn't a fan of a snoring wife :-)

Do you have shortness of breath because you are trying so hard to breath through a stuffy nose? The stuffy nose it not fun, but it is also not going to last past the pregnancy.. You can't fight it, but you can breath through your mouth and use Afrin occasionally for relief.

If that's not the case, I would talk to your doctor again. It's difficult to belief they wouldn't take this seriously. Tell them you feel it's getting worse. Don't panic, but do be insistent!

Go back to your doctor and tell them you are still short of breath and it is getting worse. The fact that they didn't find anything does NOT mean there is nothing wrong. It means they didn't find the problem. The stuffy nose doesn't sound like a big deal at all, but shortness of breath that is progressive is not normal.

I had shortness of breath when pregnant and my OB said it was partly due to the amount of blood that you body has increased by.

While I do agree with that, I think it was mostly anxiety. Although I didn't see it that way at the time. I certainly can look back on it and see it that way now. I was nauseous all the time and had to work from home. Naturally, had a rough birth experience followed by post partum anxiety.

So, if you feel anxious at all, I'd suggest going to see a female therapist. It will help so much.

Feel better! Oh, and put your arms above your head to ease breathing. It really helps. As does getting on all fours and breathing. Takes the baby pressure off!