bucca

Hello.

I have discovered these forums while trying to search for some symptoms I have been having....

I am 18 weeks pregnant and since becoming pregnant I have experianced the following 4 times (twice in the past week):
- In the middle of the night I have woken up all of a suddern and sat bolt upright and not breathing.
- It feels like I have not been breathing (which has woken me up) and generally I cant seem to take that 1st breath in the 1st try, its like my lungs just wont open. 2nd try and onwards I can manage to take shallow breaths which quickly get back to normal.
- The last time (last night) I also woke up caughing (kind of like caugh/choke/caugh/choke! - was difficult to get my breath back) and afterwards my chest felt a little tight.
- It seems to only last a short while (the breathing difficulties) before I can lay down and go back to sleep.
- I thought it might be because i was laying on my back but im pretty sure last night I woke up and sat upright from a side position (i go to sleep on my side with a long body/pregnancy pillow but do find myself laying on my back during the night, but this doesnt bother me)
- I dont seem to ever recall having any horrible dreams at the time.

My Obstetrician advised me (after I told him it had happened twice) that it can be common in pregnancy and has to do with the baby using up some of my oxygen from my blood stream and my body coping with this... he said it would most likely happen again and to not be worried. I do trust that he knows his stuff but I cant help but not feel convinced with that explination.

Im not sure I would call it sleep apnoea as i dont seem to be tired during the day, acording to my husband I dont snore and I seem to feel refreshed enough after I sleep.
I am not overweight, am a vegetarian and go to the gym 4 times a week doing weights, cardio and yoga. I am 29 years old (well, will be in 1 week anyway!) I do get exercise induced asthma BUT very mildly and only use a puffer occasionally in a cardio class.
Hopefully that was enough information for you. Happy to answer any questions.


* Does anyone have any ideas?

* Has anyone experianced anything similar?


Thank you so much.