2nd Tri - dizzy, breathless, wiped out

[CityDweller]

I'm 18 weeks. Have been feeling wiped out (heavy limbs, no energy, etc) pretty much since about 5 wks. Work full time and have a toddler too, so am not surprised about that. But I'm frequently lightheaded (nearly fainted this morning, first time that's ever happened to me) and get breathless at the slightest exertion.

I talked to mw about it at last apt (16 wks) and she said my blood pressure was a bit low. Iron was fine at booking-in bloods, but I've been taking Spatone iron supplements for the last two weeks just in case. Not made a difference.

Is this just usual pregnancy stuff (didn't have this with DC1), combined with work + toddler + not enough sleep? Or is it worth the hassle of trudging to the hospital to get another blood test? My next mw apt isn't for a couple of months.

I'd say it's worth getting another blood test to check your iron levels, as they may well have changed from the first lot you had done.

If you are feeling breathless then you need to make a dr/midwife appointment ASAP.

Could be anaemic? I'd get checked out anyway. With my 1st pregnancy I needed prescription strength iron tablets and the over the counter stuff didn't cut it

It takes 6 weeks to make a new blood cell so taking any iron supplements will not have an effect after only 2 weeks.

Low blood pressure can do that to you. Don't forget that the measurement at the docs is the measurement after you've been walking around/up the stairs to the clinic etc. it's possible your bp is spiking lower sometimes.

I'm feeling really breathless - even climbing the stairs is killing me !

And there's nothing one can do about low blood pressure is there Skiptonlass? Does lack of sleep make it worse? I definitely notice that I feel worse (esp. the lightheadedness after a bad night's sleep)...

And why an appointment 'ASAP' Mostly. I can't find anything about breathlessness online that implies it's anything other than a 'normal' pregnancy symptom

I had similar through my 2nd trimester with dd1. I worked as a health carer in the hospital and standing in one place for too long (doing patient care) sent me very light headed. I would have to sit for a good 10/15 mins to get over it. I also had quite low bp 90/60 sometimes 80/50 and was close to being aneamic but not quite. It soon went come 3rd trimester and then struggled with high bp ha ha! Talk to your midwife tho if you are concerned and its affecting your daily routine x

I think (hope) it must just be a low blood pressure thing. Looking at my notes my bp was 89/60 at my last apt. Info about low blood pressure online tallies with my symptoms (worse in the morning and after a big meal or if standing for too long) and reminds me that its made worse by being dehydrated (I don't think I've been drinking nearly enough as a matter of course, but especially not in the last couple of days).

I'll try to drink more water and go to bed early the next few days and see if that helps, otherwise I'll make an apt to see someone.

You're not alone.

2nd pg and I'm 30w now. Already fainted twice (2nd time ended up in A&Eas it happened at work) and nearly constant breathlessness (had this with 1st pg).
Obstetrician is not worried about the fainting as it can happen while pg. And breathlessness is due to baby pushing everything up therefore having less space to breath.
I also have low bp and if you have dizzyness when getting up, just try to doing it slowly (especially in the morning)
Good luck