33w pregnant, feeling faint when I sit up straight

[Sophia1984]

Hi everyone,

I almost passed out on the bus on Monday so have been taking it easy since then. When I am lying down or sitting slouched I don't feel faint but my SPD and back ache flares up. I've found when I sit on my birthing ball or on a hard chair I feel really dizzy. I talked to my midwife and she said it's probably just my lowish blood pressure + heat + not drinking enough water. But I've been downing water all day and just had another 'episode' of feeling really woozy and weak :-( Any ideas on what I can do? My iron levels were fine at 28 weeks, but midwife has taken blood again today in case.

I've been working from home all week but am delivering workshops in a school tomorrow which means both bus travel and being on my feet so am a bit anxious about that :-/

I know it's normal to feel faint if you stand up quickly, but I can't work out why sitting on my birth ball causes it.

this is me! (36+ weeks) totally the same lately. i think its a mixture of the above, BUT i think its mainly to do with pressure/weight of baby. ive had wee check, bp check, scan, ect ect, all ok and this happens, i really think it'll be pressure of baby, pressing down on artery or placenta or something to restrict blood flow. i feel much better if im stood up (not great when ya knackered i know)

x

I'm all clear of anything nasty that could be making me feel faint, but still do get faint. I've identified how I feel just before an episode so try to be as calm as possible until it's past, I know this is hard if you're working though. To be completely honest I couldn't have worked past 34 weeks with my first and I've been feeling a bit worst for wear since 35 weeks this time around. Also it is true a shed load of water throughout the day helps and I mean a shed load, but I have been sweating like a pig this pregnancy!

Had you tried leaning over your birth ball on your knees? My dd has this big ladybird inflatable from IKEA and I found that position really helpful when feeling low on energy and very comfortable as baby flops forward away from your lungs too. My only problem is dd tries to bounce me off it like I do with her haha. Also to buy me a couple of minutes before I am on the point of collapsing I make my head lower than my bump then find somewhere to sit down quick.

Make sure you do call up about your results today to rule out anaemia. You can always take spatone regardless just to give you a little energy boost too.

Are you keeping your blood sugar levels stable?