Faint / breathless at 24 weeks

[HJBeans]

From what I've seen online, this is fairly common, but a feeling a bit wobbly today after coming down very faint while doing the washing up after breakfast. Feel knackered so took a few minutes to sit, then back at it for a minute or so and felt really breathless and like I'd fall down if I didn't lie down. This was four hours ago and still have a muzzy head despite stretching out on the sofa and drinking and eating loads. Have been this pregnant once before and got a bit breathless going up stairs but never felt so quickly incapacitated before. A bit spooked and worried about upcoming work travel, etc. Midwife did say blood pressure was low last time I was in, but I hadn't eaten much that day and I felt fine.

Anyone who's been there with this have any tips?

Iron. Very likely your iron levels are low.

Try Spatone liquid iron sachets from Holland and Barretts, and talk to your midwife about getting your iron levels checked in the meantime.

I'd say iron too (based on my own reaction to low iron). Do check with midwife, but the iron is a very likely suspect.

Thanks, both. Will have it checked. Does it come on like a ton of bricks? Felt really perky this morning till trying the washing up and coming over all faint, and have felt rubbish and breathless on exertion since.

Yup. I can be absolutely fine and then oh shit tilts

How long does feeling lousy generally last after an episode? And anything I can do to help it pass more quickly outside of sorting my iron levels if needed? Resting / not resting / eating lots / drinking lots hasn't helped much today. Thanks for your advice.

Hmm, wish I had the answer. I either sit down straight away and if that doesn't help, lie down. Sometimes the queasy feeling just lasts and eventually goes away on it's own. Sometimes I can sit down and feel better within 5 mins.

Sadly I think the only answer is to get iron rich foods and supplements into your body quick. Take the Spatone with orange juice and a drop of olive oil.

Considering the amount of women who suffer from this I'm really cross they haven't picked it up. Even my consultants wouldn't intervene until I got really ill.

Iron. I'm still struggling at 4w pp.