Feeling faint - 20 weeks

[tootsieglitterballs]

Im 20 weeks tomorrow, and for the last week or so I've been feeling generally lousy.

I've been feeling very lightheaded and faint, and had I not sat down when I did on Monday, I would have fainted, twice.

The last 48 hours I've felt a lot tighter than normal in my chest, and even walking upstairs is making me breathless. I've tried my inhaler which I got recently because of bronchitis and it didn't make the slightest bit of difference.

I've looked like a ghost for about 2 weeks (but I am very pale anyway!).

It's been suggested that I'm possibly anaemic this pregnancy, and I need to see either my midwife or doctor (anyone know who I'm better seeing?)

I've got my 20 week scan at the hospital tomorrow, and I'm pretty sure if my memory serves me right, they do blood pressure etc then, so I could speak to the midwife I see then.

I don't want to waste anyone's time if there's anything I can do at home to help - any suggestions for iron rich foods that could help? Things I should avoid?

Whilst if I need them of course I'll take them, but I'd rather avoid having to take iron tablets - i have issues going to the loo as it is!

[tootsieglitterballs]

Oh, headaches every day too.

With a toddler at home this is heaps of fun!

[mrsbumblebees]

Sorry you are feeling grotty, I know it varies a lot on different areas but where I am they literally only do the scan at the 20 week appointment (No BP/urine/bloods) so I would give your midwife a call today and explain and she will be able to advise whether to come in and see her or if you are best off going to the GP.

I'm not sure about iron rich foods, I'm imagining red meat, spinach and nuts/pulses perhaps but I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me will be able to advise. In the mean time my advice would be to take it very easy and male sure you have plenty of fluids to keep well hydrated to help with the headaches.

Hope you feel better soon!

[MamaHanji]

I was severely anaemic in both of my pregnancies and iron tablets are really the only thing to bring your levels back up. Towards the end of my second pregnancy, I couldn't stand up without fainting and was put on bed rest for 2 months.

Take your tablets with orange juice as vitamin c helps your body absorb the iron. Lots of leafy greens like spinach and kale. Smoothies are great. There are some tasty smoothie recipes online, specifically for anaemic people.

Gram for gram, red meat is not rich in iron compared to chickpeas, lentils, soybeans, kidney beans, apricots.

This is the smoothie I made and honestly, within 2 weeks, I was back to myself again in time to give birth.

[Iamstegosaurusthethird]

I would go to the gp as they can check for other things as well as doing a blood test for iron levels

[tootsieglitterballs]

Thank you for all your tips!

I've tried calling my community midwife, but I've found out since trying to call she works 3 days and today isn't one of them unfortunately. I've seen we have a drop in tomorrow morning, so I'll try and pop along to that as a starting point if anything just for BP etc in case it isn't done at our 20w scan.

I've just made DS and I a smoothie with kale, OJ, banana, strawberries, mango, chia seeds and alpro coconut milk - hopefully it may at least perk me up a little!

I'll start to get more things like chick peas etc into my diet too - i just want to feel like I'm doing everything I can personally, especially if I do end up on iron tablets again

[watchingitallagain]

I'm the same and I'm 35 weeks now. I've taken to eating more salt to keep my blood pressure up on my GP's advice. He did say it was pretty old school advice. I end up having to get on my hands and knees regularly throughout the day. I'm also anaemic and taking iron but it doesn't seem to make much difference to me.
I've been told that low BP isn't particularly concerning! It is when I'm fainting!

[tootsieglitterballs]

Hi @watchingitallagain - that's really interesting about the salt thing - all I wanted last night was salted pistachios , and so I ate loads of them and in all honesty, I have felt a chunk better today than I have for the last couple of weeks!

Haha - yes, it certainly is when you are actually fainting!

I didn't suffer anything like this when I was pregnant with my DS, however in my first pregnancy (which ended as an early miscarriage) the first sign of me even being pregnant was that I fainted - scary stuff. I've been aware of how I 'go' ever since - the sign I'm about to 'go' is my ears go funny and muffled - luckily it's a warning sign that gives me about 10 seconds to get into a safe position and hopefully stop it!

Today hasn't been quite so bad - still felt lousy but no where near as bad as yesterday or Monday , which makes me feel more confidant.

[Writerwannabe83]

Ive been persistently anaemic since my 12 week Booking bloods and have had blood tests every 4 weeks to check my levels. I've been on Iron tablets since April but they didn't make the slightest difference. I had my dosage increased a few weeks ago and I've got more bloods in a week to check my levels again and if they're still bad they are going to bring be in for an IV infusion of iron.

Your symptoms sounds just like anaemia.

Go and see your GP, or have a telephone consultation, and they can arrange a blood test.

[watchingitallagain]

I've been living off Frazzles! Frazzle flavoured indigestion is enough to put you off fake bacon corn snacks for life!

I totally get what you mean about your muffled hearing warning. If you see stars then you've left it too late. I ended up on my hands and knees in my local Sainsbury's and now when I go in they have the Security Guard walk around with me. I'll be really glad when baby is out. I wonder if I'll still be a local supermarket celebrity?

Also, I struggle with a higher dose of iron tablets. A friend told me about Spatone which is available from Boots. It's not cheap but is easier going if you've got a sensitive tum (that can only manage Frazzles).