Did you have problems breathing in pregnancy?

I am very worried about this. Did you have problems breathing in pregnancy--toward the end when the uterus is pushing against the diaphram? If so, what does it feel like (i.e. are you out of breath quicker, can you still tolerate exercise, etc.) Can anyone describe what this is like? It worries me.

[spotty_dog]

Veggie, you don't even particularly want kids. Why does this worry you?

I don't notice any diaphragmatic pressure. However, I "lightened" a week or so ago -- the fetus has dropped partially into my pelvis and out of my ribcage. So it wouldn't really be an issue now. I didn't notice any serious pressure before that either, though.

As Annie mentioned, there are plenty of other pregnancy-related reductions in my exercise tolerance. I'm carrying around an extra ~27 lbs, all of it hanging out front making my typical exercises awkward and straining my back (I quit going to the gym about a month ago), my circulatory system is working harder to service the huge increase in blood volume so I do notice some "out of shape" type windedness easily, and my ligaments are stretching for the impending birth which causes pain in my hips and crotch. I was in pretty darned good shape before becoming pregnant; now a brisk morning walk around the block with the puppy is pretty adequate exercise for me!

[migirl]

I'm also curious as to why this is a concern for you, but...

I carried very low with Jack so I didn't have any problems with breathing. I exercised right up until the week I delivered him, and didn't have any trouble at all. I do have a friend who had a very hard time breathing toward the end, her daughter was just squished and pressing up against her lungs I guess. I suppose it depends on the person and how you carry your pregnancy.

I got out of breath after about 2 miles walking at the very end. at 40 weeks +2 I went for my 2 mile walk and 3/4 through I took a break for a couple mins as was a little out of breath but nothing worth shouting about. I'm not exercise inclined, I feel my 12 hour shifts in the ER are plenty enough exercise for me!

I got out of breath after about 2 miles walking at the very end. at 40 weeks +2 I went for my 2 mile walk and 3/4 through I took a break for a couple mins as was a little out of breath but nothing worth shouting about.

Sorry - no sympathy for someone crazy enough to walk 2 miles at 42 weeks pregnant!!!!!!!

What makes y'all think I don't want kids? I do want kids....just not right now. DH and I are both 29 but I still don't feel ready, and while I admit I've never had "baby fever," I think that in 2 or 3 years I'll finally feel ready, once my career issue is settled and I can at least begin a new career.

Anyhow, I've been worried about this breathing thing for a long time--I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for pregnancy. The reason I'm worried is because long ago I got a lung infection that left extensive scarring in my lungs. I am scared that in the later stages of pregnancy I will feel short of breath all the time.

Another related question.....

When did you start to become aware of the fetus (meaning, at what month approx. did you really start to be aware that you were pregnant--i.e. that you were physically aware of the fetus?) I imagine that in the first trimester it doesn't feel like there's a fetus in there.....but later on, what is the physical sensation of having the baby in your uterus? Does it feel very natural or is it something you're constantly aware of as a "foreign" feeling? I am so curious as to what this feels like.

[Vanquisher]

I felt pregnant from very early on because my kids were toxic aliens in my body. As far as when I felt the baby move, that was more toward the middle - about 18 weeks or so.

I also got a belly really early on. I definitely knew I was pregnant, and all was not right with the world (even though both kids were wanted and planned).

[spotty_dog]

OK, well, you've pondered in the past about whether it's OK not to have baby fever, and to be happy with your life sans kids -- I thought you were still in that place.

I felt a regular "awareness" of my pregnancy from the start. Things are different in your body, and the source of that difference is always in your subconscious.

Quickening, the first sensation of movement, typically happens around weeks 18-24, earlier for second-time mothers and later for people with extra weight or placentas lying in the baby's way. The feeling starts out as a very light bubbling/fluttering -- is that a gas bubble? Or something else? It becomes somewhat regular by about 28 weeks, when the fetus has its typical times of movement and you can trigger it by drinking something cold or poking it.

Right now at full-term my little one is actually moving as I type. There's a shudder...and then pressure...and a limb emerges from my right side...and then thwack! a punch to my lower-left abdomen! Little fingers are probing around the front-center of my uterus just above my pelvis, right where my pendulous belly is resting on my thighs...

My body is still mine, but so much is different!

[migirl]

I first felt fetal movement with Jack around 16 weeks. Alison is right, while you may not *feel* movement until later on, your body will definitely tell you that you're pregnant!

I was just talking to a friend of mine who has started feeling her baby moving, and it made me miss those little rolls and thumps.