What Causes Shortness Of Breath During Pregnancy?

Posted on Tue, 30 Sep 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 30 Sep 2014 Answered on

Thu, 16 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : We are expecting our third child. My wife is 20 weeks pregnant. She is a 39 year old Asian weighing approximately 99 pounds and is 5'. She eats well and is in generally good health.

For the last five months, my wife has had a significant decline in energy (can only walk a block before getting totally winded). She is in constant pain (predominantly in the abdomen area - more so than the last two pregnancies). If you touch her abdomen, she winces in pain.

At the beginning of her pregnancy, there was concern with her thyroid and hyperthyroidism. She was placed on some medicine at 15 weeks. However at 17 weeks, when we discovered that our child had trisomy 21 and a hole in her heart, the doctors said that my wife's thyroid though not normal did not require any more medicine.

As of last Thursday, there was concern of a blood clot in my wife's lungs (due to the shortness of breath). However, after undergoing a CAT scan, it was determined not to be the case. Now the doctor thinks due to the tenderness of the abdomen that my wife may have some sort of infection.

What is going on? Is my wife's life in danger?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Soumen Patra (53 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
NEED SOME INFORMATION.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

Lower Respiratory tract infection or asthma can lead to shortness of breath. It should be ruled out properly.

It is more likely tender abdomen. I need following information to assist you better and give proper guideline.

1) Did she undergo C-section or Normal delivery during previous child birth?

2) Exact location of abdominal pain?? Any scar mark or surgical history?

3) Does she feel any burning sensation during urination or has intermittent fever/ joint pain?

Waiting for your earliest response. Upload latest scan and test reports (if available).

Regards,
Dr S Patra

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Soumen Patra (39 minutes later)

Doctor,

To answer your questions:

1. Her last two births were normal (not c-section).
2. There is no scar where she has pain. The pain seems to be on both sodes of her abdomen.
3. She has had intermittent joint pain.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Soumen Patra (59 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
NEED PROPER INVESTIGATION. TERMINATE PREGNANCY.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for additional information. Followings are my comments:

1) Vascular thrombosis (blood clot) and anti-phospholipid syndrome should be ruled out. One Doppler ultrasound scan should be done in this case.

Some blood tests like coagulation profile, platelet count, lupus anticoagulant and anti- cardiolipin antibody test, level of protein C & S are required to confirm the diagnosis.

Fluid collection in pouch of XXXXXXX with infection can cause this type of pain abdomen. Antibiotic and painkiller can be given as treatment. Kindly, consult with your doctor regarding this for proper guidance.

2) Termination of the pregnancy is REQUIRED at the earliest after reviewing all test reports and patient profile. Do contact with your healthcare provider for proper management of the case.

Hope, it helps for your information. Kindly, close the discussion if you don't have any other query.

Wish her good health and take care yourself.

Regards,
Dr S Patra

For future query, you can directly approach me through

http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=63326

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Soumen Patra (57 minutes later)

Doctor, thank you. She has has a CAT scan last Thursday and ruled out th epossibility of a blood clot. So they think an infection, but no tests done to date. The doctor did not say what kind of infection it might be. So the question was whether or not my wife's life is in danger and if so how.

Based on what you said, we will go through with the termination procedure tomorrow.Could such an infection on the pouch of XXXXXXX be life threatening? If so to who? What course of action should be taken? Would it result in loss of baby? Is terminating the baby the best recourse?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Soumen Patra (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
NOT LIFE THREATENING. NEED TERMINATION.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for follow up query.

1) Above mentioned tests will be worthwhile to confirm the diagnosis. However, her CAT scan is NORMAL which has ruled out possibility of vascular thrombosis.

2) Infection in pouch of XXXXXXX is NOT life threatening but it should be treated with painkiller and antibiotic.

Termination of this pregnancy is the BEST thing in this case. Kindly, consult with your doctor for proper management.

Hope, I have answered your query. Kindly, close the discussion.

All the best and good luck.

Regards,
Dr S patra

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju