Question

During a routine prenatal care visit, a pregnant woman in her last trimester of pregnancy reports that she has occasional shortness of breath. the nurse instructs her that:

Answer 1

Shortness of breath is very common in the last trimester of pregnancy. This is because, the baby inside the uterus is growing and it starts to push the uterus that compresses the lungs above the diaphragm. This, leads to restricted expansion of the lungs while breathing and causes shortness of breath. Another reason for shortness of breath can be due to low iron content in the body.
If a pregnant woman in her last trimester reports occasional shortness of breath, the nurse should instruct her to:
1. take deep breath and start doing prenatal yoga
2. sleep on the left hand side
3. practicing good posture and standing straight
4. relax as much as possible