Feeling Faint

[GeorginaA]

Hoping for a flash of inspiration from someone so I can carry on a semi normal life for the next few weeks again!

I'm 20 weeks pregnant. Along with a small host of other complaints, the one that is really getting me down at the moment is continually feeling faint. I've had my blood pressure checked regularly by the midwife and that is fine. I've only actually fainted once but I seem to be getting near misses on a regular basis, meaning that trips into town or anywhere too far from home are becoming rather foolhardy.

The pattern seems to be after being on my feet for a little while (as little as 15-20 mins sometimes - not much time to get shopping done!) I start to feel hot, then a minute or two later ravenously hungry, then followed by a woozy/dizzy spell.

I'm trying to head them off at the pass by keeping myself cool at all times, sitting down regularly, eating well (and chain eating glucose tablets when I do need to go into town), etc but nothing seems to have that much impact.

It sounds a silly thing to worry about, but I'm conscious that I'll be more housebound again for a while with a newborn and I was hoping to have a little bit of freedom and casual sauntering around town before the arrival of no. 2.

Any ideas?

I am now 32 weeks pg and i kept getting dizzy spells and feeling faint. I couldn't rest as I too have another child ds 4yrs next week and I am still working. My blood pressure was fine, but I was lacking in Iron which is fairly normal in pregnancy. So I am on the iron tablets to make me feel less lathargic and tired and weak. I used yto have mad attacks of really low blood sugar level to the point that I nearly passed out in M&S cafe trying to get a sandwich before i fainted. Since then I carry buscuits and bananas to munch if I feel weak. Anyway in a round about way have a check up to see if you are anaemic. If you are 28 weeks pg you should be having your blood testa to check for that. Sorry not much use ut the iron tablets have helped me.

helloo - must type quick as suposed to be working
I had this and it was combination of low blood pressure and iron deficiency. how are your iron levels?

Iron levels were okay last time they were checked and I think my multivits that I'm taking have iron in. Will ask the midwife to check next visit though to be on the safe side I think.

Georgina - Are they pregnancy Multivits?? I was told not to take off the shelf multivits when pregnant.... something to do with Vit A (I think??!). Might have imagined it actually! Hmmmm.... pregnancy brain not working.

It could still be your iron levels.

Yes - Sanatogen Pro Natal I think.

Yes, will get that checked out. I'm sure it'll make the medical profession's day. I'm very pale and they're always insisting I take anaemia tests and they always come back fine

Well, I've been told by someone who has a permanent low blood pressure problem that the times when she keeps up red wine intake is the times she has to take fewer blood pressure pills - so I'm sitting here with a glass of merlot (medicinal of course!)

Will let you know if I have less dizzy spells tomorrow

GeorginaA - how have you been? Still getting faint spells?

I remembered this thread because the GP told me this morning that my blood pressure was rather low - although he didn't seem to think it was anything to worry about!

The occasional one but much more spaced out. I had a particularly nasty spell a couple of weeks ago, but then I'd just got over a nasty tummy bug so I think that was a contributory factor.

Oh and the other recent one was during a yoga class when the instructor said "this might be a bit dodgy for anyone who gets a bit dizzy" just as I was thinking "hmm... better sit down now!"

Still trying to take it easy and not go out for long parts of the day unnecessarily just in case, but feel like I'm over the worst.

Oh, thanks for asking btw

I am feeling very dizzy and have been now for almost a week. When it happens i feel very much spaced out for a while and it can last for around 15 mins at a time. I don't have much time to rest as i have a two year old child and i am also a working mum, any advice or tips please. I am 25 weeks pregnant

jennay I have had dizzy/faint spells during both my pregnancies for the reasons Georgina mentions - low blood pressure and iron deficiency. Like you, I have a toddler and am still working. I find that the there are certain times and situations that are triggers. Queueing in shops being one. I would say try to eat little and often and always carry some glucose tablets. A boost to the blood sugar seems to help. Also sit down if necessary (better than falling down and I've been known to sit on the floor in Matalan menswear dept and in a car park) and fresh air does help.