CMV infection during pregnancy and impact on fetal health

 Chest pain is a common and normal symptom during pregnancy, especially during the first and third trimesters, as the pregnant woman’s body goes through many tremendous physical and mental changes during pregnancy. However, the pregnant woman must be more careful about what she eats, the types of physical activities she practices, and her lifestyle. Without forgetting to visit the doctor to perform the required medical examinations regularly to ensure that the reason behind feeling chest pain does not represent a threat to the health of the pregnancy.

Causes of chest pain during pregnancy

1. Digestive system disorders

Indigestion, acid reflux, or eating fatty foods can lead to an increased feeling of heartburn and a burning sensation in the chest due to increased hormonal changes and the growth of the size of the fetus and its pressure on the abdominal area. The hormone progesterone is also released more than usual during pregnancy to relax the sphincter muscle. Which separates the stomach from the esophagus and can lead to increased indigestion and acid reflux

2. Deep vein thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) refers to a blood clot in a deep vein that usually occurs in the leg or pelvis. A blood clot in the leg can travel up your body and reach the lungs and thus may cause chest pain or a pulmonary embolism if left undiagnosed. Or treat it, and it may cause death.

3. Asthma

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases during pregnancy and may affect approximately 4% to 8% of all pregnancies. If you have or have had asthma in the past, it may reoccur or worsen during pregnancy. This may be due to chest tightness, and the pregnant woman’s increased feeling of chest pain, and it is best to seek medical help in this case.

4. Cardiomyopathy

Although cardiomyopathy is a rare complication that pregnant women suffer from, it may develop during the five months following childbirth or one month before childbirth. Symptoms such as chest discomfort, heart palpitations, malaise, and fatigue may occur and require professional medical treatment and, if left untreated, can increase the chances of miscarriage.

5. Widening of the rib cage

To accommodate the baby's growing size, the rib cage expands during pregnancy, causing tension in the chest muscles. As the fetus grows, pressure on the diaphragm increases, and the pregnant woman feels chest pain more, especially during the third trimester of pregnancy