Fainted twice on trains in pregnancy - ideas on why please?!

[flamingnora]

Hi All

15 weeks pregnant with second child. Have had a much rougher time than with with DD 3 years ago from the get-go (hideous morning sickness until week 12). Have just had a weekend of feeling light-headed and feeble & then passed out on train to work this morning. This is 2nd time it's happened, also passed out on train to work about 4 weeks ago. My check ups show normal blood pressure etc and I am eating regularly.
Anyone else had this happen to them? Ideas on why? Many thanks!

This happened to me in my last pregnancy and during this one. Often it was caused by standing up too quickly. Like you, my blood pressure was fine and my bloods came back with good iron levels. Anaemia can make you feel light-headed, so it may be worth upping your intake of leafy greens and red meat.

AFAIK it's quite common to faint in pregnancy and you should only be alarmed if you fall onto your bump. I did this at 28 weeks last time round (whilst in with my Midwife, funnily enough) and they sent me for a check of the baby and I had my Anti-D injection 'just in case'. Also, make sure you're drinking enough as well as eating enough - dehydration often a trigger for me.

Thanks for this! I know all pregnancies can be different but it's amazing just HOW different!
Will try upping my iron intake as, because I'm so funny about food right now, may well be lacking.

thanks again!

I fainted with my first two pg's, unfortunately in the middle of town centre on both occasions!! It was caused my low blood pressure. I wasn't anaemic as such at the time, but my iron levels were low so was put on iron tablets.

Just to be really awkward, with my 3rd I had high bp and was being tested for pe at 16 wks!! All settled down though.....

It's really common in pg and is called postural hypotension - basically your blood pressure falls when you stand still for too long or its a bit warm. It can happen to anyone at anytime, but the increased blood volume you have when pg exacerbate the problem.

Make sure you drink plenty of water (keep some with you), eat regularly (little and often, and have a snack in your bag), and also try wiggling your feet in your shoes if you do have to stand for a while. Also get your iron levels checked as it can be a sign of anaemia, but don't start taking iron tablets unless your haemoglobin level is low (but try eating more iron-rich foods such as spinach).