Breathing difficulties

As the baby begins to crowd the limited abdominal space, breathing can be effected. I find that pregnancy is like putting a magnifying glass on already existing problems. Proper breathing starts with the diaphragm. Since it separates the abdominal organs from the chest cavity, it is more stressed with pregnancy. When the diaphragm is inhibited it can decrease the depth of breathing, often resulting in breathlessness when involved in activities like climbing stairs.

Common causes of diaphragm inhibition include neck misalignment (the nerve to the diaphragm comes from the neck), food allergies, emotional stress, and previous injury. An inhibited diaphragm can also lead to a hiatal hernia, which can further decrease lung function. Finding and correcting the cause of the inhibited diaphragm can help increase breathing capacity, even with the extra stress added by a growing baby.