What type of breathing is more common in pregnant women?

• A. Diaphragmatic breathing
• B. Thoracic breathing
• C. Abdominal breathing
• D. Mixed breathing

Answer: (B)

During pregnancy, the growing uterus pushes the diaphragm upward, which reduces how much the abdomen can move with each breath. To meet the body's ventilation needs, the chest wall takes on more of the work, so breathing becomes primarily thoracic (chest) breathing. This pattern involves more expansion of the upper ribs and chest rather than the abdomen. Abdominal breathing relies on downward movement of the diaphragm, which is limited in pregnancy, making it less common. Mixed breathing occurs when both chest and abdomen move, but the dominant pattern in pregnancy tends to be chest-focused breathing.