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ruby
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Member since 6/08 5573 total posts
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Upper belly tightening/shortness of breath?
So last night I'm sitting on the couch watching TV when the upper part of my belly started to tighten up. And then I started to feel short of breath.....not too bad, but to the point that I had to get up and walk around to almost stretch my body out. It felt like I was being constricted under my boobs, but then my whole belly felt tight. I took a small walk around the block, which helped a little, but then it started again..it was like I couldn't take a deep breath because my diaphragm felt like it couldn't expand since everything was so tight. Don't know if it matters but I'm 22 weeks. What is this? And is this going to be new thing that will happen all the time or just a freak/one-time thing? It was a little scary...
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Posted 10/16/08 10:43 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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Blissful
Ultimate Expression of LOVE
Member since 6/08 4985 total posts
Name:
Maria
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Re: Upper belly tightening/shortness of breath?
I have has that happen like 2 X
I think they are Braxton Hicks
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| Posted 10/16/08 10:46 AM |
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ruby
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Member since 6/08 5573 total posts
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Re: Upper belly tightening/shortness of breath?
Posted by Blissful
I have has that happen like 2 X
I think they are Braxton Hicks
This early? I thought that comes later on....
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| Posted 10/16/08 10:48 AM |
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Blissful
Ultimate Expression of LOVE
Member since 6/08 4985 total posts
Name:
Maria
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Re: Upper belly tightening/shortness of breath?
Posted by ruby
Posted by Blissful
I have has that happen like 2 X
I think they are Braxton Hicks
This early? I thought that comes later on....
It can start at 20 W my midwife said. I called her the first time it happened. She said its normal, the body is trying to practice and prepare for labor. The further along in the pregnancy you get the more often you will get them
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| Posted 10/16/08 10:56 AM |
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ruby
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Member since 6/08 5573 total posts
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Re: Upper belly tightening/shortness of breath?
ugh....i thought I had a while for that.  Well, at least now I know I'm not having a heart attack. 
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| Posted 10/16/08 11:03 AM |
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Celt
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Member since 4/08 7758 total posts
Name:
colette
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Re: Upper belly tightening/shortness of breath?
Hi Alissa!!!! I had this symptom too, it FREAKED me out toward the end of my pregnancy :) but it wasn't BHs, it was just the diaphragm getting 'squished' because  needed more room.
I did some research and its REALLY common, do you feel like you can't get a deep full breath? (Sometimes they call it "air hunger").
Mine was especially bad at night when I tried to lay down; I found a few well-placed pillows would help, as would walking, and stretching both arms above my head.
My ob assured me it was all 100% normal,so don't worry!! 
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| Posted 10/16/08 11:06 AM |
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hmm8191
My loves
Member since 3/06 2908 total posts
Name:
Heather
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Re: Upper belly tightening/shortness of breath?
sounds like Braxton Hicks to me!
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| Posted 10/16/08 11:11 AM |
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ruby
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Re: Upper belly tightening/shortness of breath?
Posted by colette
Hi Alissa!!!! I had this symptom too, it FREAKED me out toward the end of my pregnancy :) but it wasn't BHs, it was just the diaphragm getting 'squished' because needed more room.
I did some research and its REALLY common, do you feel like you can't get a deep full breath? (Sometimes they call it "air hunger").
Mine was especially bad at night when I tried to lay down; I found a few well-placed pillows would help, as would walking, and stretching both arms above my head.
My ob assured me it was all 100% normal,so don't worry!!
Hey Colette! Yeah, I called DH at work (he works nights) and that's what he was thinking, maybe was just all up in my diaphragm, so then when I stood up it gave him more room to stretch out which is why it felt better when I walked around. And that's exactly how it felt, I couldn't take a deep breath...it's not like I couldn't breath, just very shallow breaths only. Except then it came back and started again. The whole belly tightening was the cherry on top though, that's when I got scared cause it was such a weird feeling.
Ahh, the joys of pregnancy I guess. 
Message edited 10/16/2008 11:14:45 AM.
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| Posted 10/16/08 11:13 AM |
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MrsS2005
Mom of 3
Member since 11/05 13118 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: Upper belly tightening/shortness of breath?
It sounds like Braxton Hicks. I had something similar several weeks ago, but haven't really had them since. I've read that dehydration or failing to empty your bladder fast enough can trigger them.
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| Posted 10/16/08 11:17 AM |
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Celt
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Member since 4/08 7758 total posts
Name:
colette
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Re: Upper belly tightening/shortness of breath?
You could *also* be having BHs by the way, so that's a double whammy!
I freaked one Friday night before I delivered, I thought I was having a panic attack, and went to the ER. THey put a monitor on me to check my blood oxygenation level and it was like 98% or so, nothing to worry about, but WOW I did NOT like this symptom AT ALL!!
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| Posted 10/16/08 11:17 AM |
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Blissful
Ultimate Expression of LOVE
Member since 6/08 4985 total posts
Name:
Maria
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Re: Upper belly tightening/shortness of breath?
While it could be what Collette is talking about we are both due around the same time, Alissa, and the uterus is barely past the belly button at this stage, so it shouldn't be putting much pressure on the diaphram yet.
Collette, if i remember, You started having these symptoms in your 3rd trimester right???
Either way, you are probably fine Alissa, I would metion it to your practitioner at your next appointment. I know my midwife wanted to document when I started getting BH's
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| Posted 10/16/08 11:21 AM |
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Celt
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Member since 4/08 7758 total posts
Name:
colette
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Re: Upper belly tightening/shortness of breath?
Posted by Blissful
While it could be what Collette is talking about we are both due around the same time, Alissa, and the uterus is barely past the belly button at this stage, so it shouldn't be putting much pressure on the diaphram yet.
Collette, if i remember, You started having these symptoms in your 3rd trimester right???
Either way, you are probably fine Alissa, I would metion it to your practitioner at your next appointment. I know my midwife wanted to document when I started getting BH's
Yep! If I recall correctly I think that started around 29-30 wks for me, and lasted right til the end! I had BHs too but I didn't really feel 'em until about 35 weeks or so..
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| Posted 10/16/08 11:25 AM |
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ruby
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Member since 6/08 5573 total posts
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Re: Upper belly tightening/shortness of breath?
Thanks ladies!!!
I'm definitely mentioning it to my OB but I don't see her again until the 30th and didn't really think it warranted a phone call.
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| Posted 10/16/08 11:30 AM |
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Katie111806
Team Pink!
Member since 12/06 5349 total posts
Name:
Katie
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Re: Upper belly tightening/shortness of breath?
I had this scariness too. Felt like I had to really focus and concentrate on getting deep breaths and felt like I was being squished inside. I called the doc and they told me it was likely BHs and my diaphragm being slightly constricted. It was def prior to 30 weeks but I can't remember exactly when.
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| Posted 10/16/08 12:05 PM |
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