Final answer:
Physiologic dyspnea of pregnancy is a frequent condition during the later stages of pregnancy, caused by increased respiratory minute volume and pressure on the diaphragm from the growing uterus. It typically alleviates in the final weeks as the fetus descends in a process known as lightening.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physiologic dyspnea of pregnancy is a common respiratory condition that affects a significant number of women during pregnancy. During the second half of pregnancy, the respiratory minute volume increases by 50 percent to meet the oxygen demands of the growing fetus and the mother's increased metabolic rate. This increase, along with the upward pressure of the expanding uterus on the diaphragm, can lead to shortness of breath, also known as dyspnea. In the last stage of pregnancy, however, the fetus descends lower due to the pelvis becoming more elastic in a process known as lightening, which can alleviate the dyspnea.
Common Discomforts of Pregnancy
As the body adapts to pregnancy, various physiologic changes occur that often lead to symptoms commonly experienced as the discomforts of pregnancy. These include breathlessness on exertion, giddiness, and pallor. In some cases, women may also experience edema of the ankles.