Feeling faint and light headed - 15 weeks pregnant

[katster37]

Hi,
Just wondering if anyone can help. I am nearly 15 weeks pregnant and from 12 weeks exactly, I have frequently been suffering from feeling faint. I haven't actually fainted, but have needed to sit down / put head between knees etc. All of the usual reasons for feeling like this don't seem to apply - it is not that I haven't eaten, not that I am too hot, am def not anaemic, and although blood pressure is quite low, it is not too bad. Think last time it was taken, it was around 95 / 70. Has anyone else experienced this? I am panicking it is something awful... By the way, didn't get it at all during first trimester.

[princessmel]

I had that at the same stage. I just sat down when I needed to, whereever I was (in a shop, on the pavement etc). And I always carried water with me. And a peice of fruit.

I think it's just a pregnancy thing.

[jardins]

Dear katster37. Please don't worry: from my personal experience it's completely normal albeit unsettling and unpleasant. With both my pregnancies (DD is now thirteen and DS five) I would frequently get lightheaded and dizzy. The worst for me was standing in a supermarket queue surrounded by people and having to stand still for ages. You can bet your bottom dollar the dizzy spells would strike then. I recall even leaving my carefully filled trolley in the shop in order to get some fresh air and never returning to pay.

[princessmel]

Yes standing still is worse. For some reason it was better when I was walking.

[katster37]

Thanks you, Princessmel and Jardins - I really appreciate it. And you are so right - my last 'episode' (just now) was when I was standing on a bus for ages and had to curl up (!) on the floor. Have just had a lie down and feel much better. It's just when I googled it (bad katster) it said if it wasn't sugar-related/being too hot etc, then it 'could be a sign of something more serious' which made me wonder what on earth that could be!! MN to the rescue, once again!

[orangina]

Low blood pressure probably. I definitely felt like that if I was standing too long (I had a few of those bus stop episodes!) and/or if I needed to eat or drink. I also fainted in one of those bloody Boden bun fights (sample sales etc). Luckily, it's ensured I don't go to one ever again (they are GRIM)....

[katster37]

Well, I just saw the GP as I needed to go anyway and thought I would mention it - she said she had never heard of it?! And was I sure everything was ok with the baby?! I said 'well, I had a scan last TUesday and it was fine then, and have been feeling the same for 3 weeks'. She said make sure I eat enough. How helpful! I suggested low blood pressure and she said it might be, but didn't offer to take it to check Grrrrrr!!!

[audreyraines]

my doctor said it was really normal, and likely due to the increased amount of blood pumpng around, and not enough of it getting to the head etc. god sorry, i can't remember a proper explanation! she said just to sit down when you need to and let it pass. she did get my iron levels checked, but they were fine. xx

[frustratedmom]

I once complain about this. the doctor look me straight in the eye and said "Of course you do. Its how they used to test for pregancy in the old days. Get the patient to walk across the room and if she faints she pregnant" Doesn't exactly help but it did put it in context

[katster37]

Like the sound of your GP, frustratedmom! Sounds a lot better than mine, at any rate! Audrey yes, that makes sense. Have been ridiculously lazy today, so it's a good excuse for that!

[orangina]

If you do have low blood pressure, a little salt can help (apparently). Carry a salty snack around with you?

(Found most gps to be most unhelpful on the matter of pregnancy, for what its worth....)

[Longtalljosie]

It's totally normal. My blood pressure is pretty similar to yours (90/60) and I had dizziness from before I even missed my period, up until about 22 weeks.

Try to remember not to get up too quickly. You get in the habit of it eventually, but it's hard at first because I naturally jump up rather than getting up slowly... Mind you once you get towards the third trimester, jumping anywhere's a bit beyond you

Can't believe the doctor said that to you though, when it's so common!

[readyfornumber2and3]

Welcome to the wonderful pregnancy symptoms the books dont tell you about

I suffered this with DS (2.10) in the later stages and this time round (27 weeks) I have had it on and off all the way through! It is definately worse when standing still (think its our bodies way of saying we shouldnt do the supermarket shop lol)

Just take it easy and sit when you need to and carry a bottle of water round in your bag

[Nbg]

It could also just be your blood sugar levels which can cause you to feel faint and dizzy even if your not pregnant.

A sugary drink or sweets can get you out of it pretty quickly but for a long term fix you need to try eating some low gi foods to keep your levels on a even keel.

[katster37]

Thanks for all your replies.
The salt thing is really interesting as I am constantly craving soy sauce and crisps... Maybe it is linked? Am having to stop myself pouring soy sauce over everything I eat, and limiting my intake of Quavers somewhat...

[Nbg]

If that is the case then, have you thought that you could be slightly dehydrated from all the salt?

I can't even eat a bacon sandwich without downing 2 pints of juice or water afterwards.

[katster37]

Am also extremely thirsty a lot too, have been since day one, and am drinking a lot of water. I am trying not to act on my salt cravings, but just wondered if it might be caused by that? Yesterday I went to the pub with some friends and drank 3 pints of water (over quite a while) and still felt thirsty when I got home... Hmm...

[Longtalljosie]

If you're craving salty food - do you tend not to have much of it normally? You do need a certain amount of it - maybe you're not getting enough?

[princessmel]

I heard salt helps too.

I can't believe your gp said they'd never heard of it!! Crazy!

[Lara1]

I wanted t post about lightheadness and pregnancy as I has such trouble in my last pregnancy w this! From even before i missed a period (from 3 days after conception) I felt incredibly lightheaded most of the time. It got better if i lay down but if i was on my feet I felt like i was seasick/spinning. The doctors said it was probably pregnancy related but were surprised how early these symptoms had appeared after conception. All my bloods came back normal and my blood pressure was on low side of normal and no one knew why this was happening. I was referred to neurologist who said it was prbably pregnancy but advised MRI of brain to make sure. Its not advised to have this when pregnant so i spent 9 mnths worrying i had a brain tumour or something else serious. It did get a bit better in last 2 mnths and then upon giving birth DISAPPEARED. i HAD the MRI a few weeks later and it was normal and it turns out it was pregnancy. A stressful an unpleasant pregnancy has resulted in a wonderful little boy! I just want to reassure other women that you can feel dreadfully lightheaded when pregnant and not to worry (if that's possible with our raging hormones!).

[Noyoucantwatchpeppapig]

I've had dizziness and low BP since being pregnant. Last time I checked my BP was 100/50. I have naturally low BP anyway and mid pregnancy apparently it dips. Also not actually fainted but have to be careful when getting up. It's also noticeable if I lie on my back, I start being lightheaded.
Keeping well hydrated and eating help.

[stripycreature]

I've had this since about 11 weeks pregnant. I'm now 21 weeks. I was told it was due to the increased blood volume.
My blood pressure was taken at 88/56, and I felt awful.

[weebairn]

Yeah I felt dizzy a lot between weeks 15 and 30 and fainted a couple of times. Felt like a right idiot. It's been better for me since getting later on in pregnancy, and the weather cooling down.