Almost fainted in the tube

[EatItAll]

I'm about 15 weeks pregnant and generally didn't have any major problems during the first trimester. I've felt a little sick here and there but the constant eating helped me from feeling really bad. Last morning on the tube, out of nowhere, I just started feeling weak and dizzy. I just couldn't stand on my feet and started sweating profusely. Everything was starting to become black for a few moments, and I just managed to squeeze out of the tube and get out in the air where I quickly recovered. It must have been low blood pressure and since I couldn't sit, that must have made things worse.

Has anyone experienced anything similar and how should I avoid it in the future?

Hi, congrats on your pregnancy. I was prone to feeling dizzy/faintish on occasion also with both pregnancies. I also commuted on the tube until 36 weeks at rush hour to work both times, there are a few tube travel related tips I would recommend: get a 'Baby on Board Badge', these are available at most stations I think and are free, on my second while I was not yet showing I did put mine on when travelling as I found commuting in early pregancy worse than when heavily pregnant due to having mild morning sickness and the dizzy spells, I would not hesitate in asking for a seat if you need one, most people are happy to get up for a pregnant lady and I found that often people would have their heads buried in newspapers and not look up, if you are on a short journey I would perhaps stand close to the doors as generally cooler there, and also I ALWAYS carried water, bolied sweets or plain biscuits with me for my 45/50 min tube trips, good luck.

This happened to me at about 8 weeks, and I proceeded to get very I'll with a virus. The dizziness lasted about a week. It was difficult to separate early pregnancy symptoms from the infection, but I had quite a bit of time off work as the dizziness didn't go away straight away.

I now don't get on the tube if I can't get a seat. It means walking to the end of the tube and then back again but it's worth it.

I have one of those badges but haven't worn it yet. I'm 18 weeks.

I fainted in a charity shop when i was 16 weeks pregnant. When i came to, i thought i had wet myself, but i was just literally drenched in sweat.:)
I'm now 34 weeks, and a couple of weeks ago i had to sit down on the floor in the middle of Tesco (with harrassed Christmas shoppers hurrying all around me) because i knew if i didn't i would faint.

No real advice on how to avoid this in future, i'm afraid - i just try not to overheat, not be standing or walking for too long and stay dehydrated.
Good luck!

thank you, ladies....very sound advice.
I've tried to live by the rules, and most of all - to wear my maternity tube badge and I haven't had a bad experience ever since.
wish you all luck!

I had a similar experience at around 14 weeks. Dizzy, lightheaded, sweating when on bus. I think i overheated and did too much walking beforehand. However, this is common due to increase in blood supply during preg. Always carry water and a snack when out esp on tube if it gets stuck.

22 weeks preggers and was on the northern line this morning and squashed between everyone in the middle of the train. One stop into the journey I started feeling faint, head started to spin, I did not feel good at all so I had to get of at the nearest stop and relax until I could face getting on the tube again. Its happened once before to me on a train because I had to stand for my everyday journey for 30 mins. Now I leave work 15 mins early so I can get the last train where I can get a seat before the big rush hour. 15 mins can make all the difference on the tube and train. Good Luck!

It happened to me a couple of times in earlier pregnancy (12 - 20 weeks) - faintness, dizzyness, and extreme sweatiness! It just felt boiling down there, too hot to survive.

Carry cold, cold water, and get a seat! Whether you're showing or not - get a baby on board badge, and ASK for a seat. "Excuse me, I'm pregnant and -" oh look, they're up even before you can explain you're feeling a bit faint

Hi,
Just wanted to say you are not alone. During my second and third trimester i was also prone to feeling dizzy in stuffy and crowded places. For me it was cold water and fresh air that used to help and avoiding stuffy rooms. Bizzarely enough, every time my DH and I went out to a restaurant I would inevitably get dizzy even though it wasn't hot in there. I think with me it sort of went onto an anxiety thing as I worried I'd faint in crowded places, fear of being embarassed I guess. Hope you feel better with staying hydrated and cool.