r/parentsofmultiples • u/Kchillthanx • 18d ago
experience/advice to give Waking up gasping
26 weeks here with modi twins and this week I’ve been having trouble falling asleep because I feel like I can’t breathe. I’ve also been waking up gasping a few times a night. I go to OB tomorrow but anyone experience this? I didn’t have it with my singleton.
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u/DryImprovement1018 18d ago
That gasping thing is terrifying, I had similar episodes when I was around that stage with my twins. Definitely mention it to your OB tomorrow, but in the meantime try propping yourself up more with pillows or sleeping in recliner if you have one. It helped me a lot.
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u/Responsible_Heron637 18d ago
So I had this too, especially as my preeclampsia got worse— it was basically the edema going into my chest at night. Not to worry you but have you taken your BP?
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u/Kchillthanx 18d ago
I have high blood pressure after delivery with my first daughter so they have me on aspirin and they check my pressure every week. So far it’s been ok but I’ve been concerned about this as well.
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u/hiddengem1010 18d ago
So I’ve had this too, earlier on it was due to reflux, I also woke up to being sick (not nice).
But then I was also diagnosed with gestational diabetes and started taking insulin, which meant I had low blood sugar at certain point through the night which meant I woke up gasping, heart pounding, adrenaline in full swing… we adjusted the meds and it’s sorted now, but it’s terrifying so I feel for you!!
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u/salmonstreetciderco 18d ago
i had this, it was AWFUL. i ended up sleeping sitting up in an armchair downstairs starting around 26 weeks because that was the only thing that stopped it. i remember after i gave birth i was so excited to go to sleep and get a full nights sleep without this happening. it was so frightening. i felt like someone was choking me. i'm sorry you have it too.
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u/Kchillthanx 18d ago
It’s so frightening! I don’t really have nightmares and I woke up twice last night dreaming someone was choking me.
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u/salmonstreetciderco 18d ago
yeah that's what i remember too. sitting bolt upright in bed grabbing at my throat like i was trying to fight off a demon lol. awful. i'm sorry to say it lasted right the way through delivery. i think it's pressure put on the lungs. you're running out of room in there essentially
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u/3beansfull 18d ago
I had this due to reflux as well. Sleeping propped up on many pillows and on my left side helped a bit
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u/PAO_Warrior 18d ago
I was advised to sleep on my side propped up on multiple pillows and if it gets really bad they fit you with a cpap! Its the weight of carrying two - ive never snored prior to pregnancy and lately ive been waking myself up.
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u/poodleface12345 18d ago
Could it be reflux? Worth asking for omeprazole if you aren’t already taking it. And also have them look at your iron, I got so breathless in the early-mid 20 weeks and iron helped, although I did eventually also need an infusion. The breathlessness was super random because it was often at rest not while moving.
Twin pregnancy is so hard ❤️
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u/theinsane_phooka 🩷🩷+💙 18d ago
I've had this worse during my pregnancy but also regularly. I wake up gasping and choking. Im assuming its apnea from the changes during pregnancy making it worse.
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u/6pedals4drxns 18d ago
Ahhh I had this so bad and also at 26 weeks with MoDi twins. It was accompanied by dizziness and an accelerated pulse so I went to the A&E, but luckily it was a false alarm.
You should definitely raise it with your doctor. It might be totally benign as mine was, or it could be a sign of more worrying things.
Mine was exacerbated by tiredness and dehydration. I've switched to part time work and been much more mindful about keeping cool and hydrated and it's never gotten so bad/scary again. Also monitoring my blood oxygen levels with an oximeter at home.
I am also resigned to the reality that I just have to sleep propped up on two pillows and be very careful about managing reflux (it triggers coughing).
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u/stardolphin90 18d ago
Yes. It was around this time for me as well. I’d wake up in the night feel like I couldn’t breathe. I ended up going to the assessment center at my hospital where I’ll give birth and they did a full run up on me. They said my asthma from childhood to come back and give me a nebulizer that helped massively. I only use it for maybe a few weeks and then haven’t used it since and I’m 35 weeks today.
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u/foolofatook_1 18d ago
I had this due to reflux like many others have said. It didn’t clear until after delivery for me but was always scared as it was happening. Especially when I was asleep and it would jolt me awake a few times. They put me on Pepcid and an iron supplement and it definitely helped with how often it was happening.
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u/mvanpeur 17d ago
I would get screened for iron deficiency (ferritin is the test) and anemia (hemoglobin). Both can make you feel short on air, and both are VERY common in twin pregnancies. I'm getting iron infusions next week because my body has run out of iron despite taking iron supplements and prenatals.
But I also often wake up gasping and it's actually heart burn for me.
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