29 weeks pregnant, sometimes feel short of breath

Generally, during week 29 of pregnancy, feeling short of breath may be caused by non-disease factors, or it could result from medical conditions such as anemia or heart disease. The underlying cause should be identified and treated accordingly. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Non-disease factors

At 29 weeks of gestation, the growing fetus causes the uterine fundus to rise, elevating the diaphragm and compressing the lungs, thereby affecting the respiratory system and leading to breathlessness. It is recommended to get adequate rest, avoid strenuous exercise, and lie on the left side during rest.

2. Disease-related factors

1) Anemia

Severe anemia during pregnancy reduces blood oxygen-carrying capacity, resulting in tissue hypoxia and causing the aforementioned discomfort. It is advised to take iron supplements such as ferrous sulfate tablets, ferrous succinate tablets, or ferrous gluconate syrup under medical guidance to correct anemia and relieve symptoms.

2) Heart disease

If a pregnant woman has pre-existing heart disease, impaired cardiac function may lead to inadequate blood output to meet the body's demands, resulting in insufficient blood and oxygen supply. Medications such as digitalis tablets or digoxin tablets may be used as directed by a physician to alleviate symptoms.

In addition, breathlessness during pregnancy may also be caused by other conditions such as hypertension, pneumonia, or bronchial asthma. Pregnant women experiencing shortness of breath should ensure sufficient rest and avoid intense physical activity. If symptoms are severe, prompt medical evaluation at an obstetrics and gynecology department is necessary to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment.