Can't Breathe When I Lay Down Pregnant

Shortness of breath and trouble breathing while lying down may be caused by the growing uterus. Palpitations may occur because the diaphragm shifts up in the chest during pregnancy. This causes the heart to sit higher in the chest.

Why can't I breathe when I lay down while pregnant?

Your uterus pushes on and shifts other organs in your body. Around the 31st to 34th week of pregnancy, the uterus begins to press on the diaphragm (the flat muscle that moves up and down when you breathe). These changes may make it hard for your lungs to fully expand.

What to do if you feel like you can't breathe when lying down?

You can also leave a fan on in your room as it may relieve the breathless feeling. When suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, your doctor might recommend using a CPAP or BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) machine to relieve shortness of breath while sleeping.