HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

I hold my breath while concentrating or doing something on a regular basis, several times a day. i worry it harms my baby 36 weeks pregnant.

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Wouldn't worry: The babies system extracts what it needs from your blood & such activity does not have a significant effect on the circulating oxygen level. If you advance it to the point you hold it until you pass out every hour it might have a little, but even that is likely to have minimal effect if rarely done.

Dr Hodge and another doctor agreed

Answered 6/26/2018

316 views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

Ive been walking past constrution sites with old paint and so have been holding my breath (5 weeks pregnant) i felt breathless. could this harm baby?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Can holding my breath for about 30-40 secs harm my baby during pregnancy?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Pregnant wife had allergic reaction. Hard to breath/wheezing/sneezing for 2 hours. No other symptoms. Improved after benadryl (diphenhydramine). Can that harm the baby?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Is there any theoretical basis in which the COVID mRNA vaccines could pose a risk to long term infant development in pregnant woman? I know the poor obstetric outcomes are similar to background rates, but is there potential for long term harm?

4 doctors weighed in across 3 answers

A member asked:

I am around 11 weeks pregnant. Today I breathed in undiluted lemon essential oil (someone was using for cleaning) for a couple of hours and some got on my hands. Will this cause harm to my baby I've read it can be toxic and cause birth defects. ?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

I tend to hold my breath in order to reach an orgasm or to increase the intensity of my orgasm. I'm 13 weeks pregnant. Will this harm the baby?
Does Holding your breath (swimming) during pregnancy harm the baby ? Does it stop oxygen supply to the baby? Is it ok to hold ur breath?
I'm 18 weeks pregnant (healthy pregnancy with no health issues) and have been practicing mindful breathwork for the last 2 weeks, in which I hold my breath for up to 6 seconds between inhales and exhales. Is this causing harm to my baby?
I am 30 weeks pregnant, can holding your breath harm the baby?
I'm 14 weeks pregnant. I was cleaning dirty dishes started gagging, so I held my breath for 10 seconds..Will that harm my unborn baby?

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.