Anyone Else Have The Fainting Fits?

[daisynova]

Today I managed to pass out on the road in front of a tram - handbag went one way, mobile phone the other way and I managed to cut my hands really badly. Luckily some really kind wee souls helped me up and I made it to the hospital before collapsing into a hysterical heap.

I haven't got a clue what happened but I think I fainted though all checks on health came back normal. I recently fainted on an EasyJet flight too and had a small "fall" at home just before Christmas.

Is this a normal pregnancy thing?

I'm 28+1 now.

Happened to me in early pregnancy, hows your blood pressure? mine turned out to be very low, had to wear sexy support stockings and take mega vitamins. It was also better when I ate well (ie breakfast) I had been avoiding a little as felt so sick. What are health professionals saying?

I was actually on my way to a maternity appointment anyway but they checked everything and my blood pressure was fine. They don't know why it's happening.

Poor receptionist had me standing at her desk in floods of tears before they eventually had to take me to A&E to be x-rayed as rhey thought I broke my arm. Had to wear 2 lead vests to protect bump! Only have a sprained wrist but loads of scrapes and bruises to show for my ordeal.

Just wondering why I am fainting?

O you poor injured thing! I'd keep on at health prof to find out whats up. I don't know about you but we have to scream and shout to get anything done on the nhs in this area. Good luck

I'm on private healthcare as I'm an expat in Amsterdam so they have checked everything. They were as stumped as me with this. They wanted me to stay in tonight as they were worried about me going into early labour - I had some contractions after the fall - but I came home to rest instead on strict instructions to go back in if the contractions get more frequent.

you must put your feet up and try not to worry, has this only happened in pregnancy?

I went through a stage of not actually going as far as fainting but feeling incredibly light headed and having to sit down fast, otherwise probably would have fainted. I was around 32/ 33 weeks at that point and blood pressure etc were all fine. Midwife said I was over doing it and not slowing down enough. Been fine since. It was strange to feel that way as I hadn't had any faintness or sickness at all in the pregnancy up to that point.

I fainted quite a bit - low blood pressure. Esp. if getting up from seats etc. V embarassing. Get on your knees with head on floor as quick as you can if you feel it coming on.

I fainted all the time bashed up my nose,fainted in a post office queue
at a hospital desk you name it I hitthe floor ,I had low bp and just had to eat plenty it would be worth checking for anemia too.

Good luck & I hope you feel better soon

Thanks gals, the fainting has only appeared in my pregnancy but my BP is fine - perfect in fact.

I don't seem to get any warning when it is happening apart from the sensation that I am falling and that is usually the last thing that I remember.

I think I'll just wrap myself up in bubble wrap and never leave the house without someone with me from now on! It'd be safer!!!

this seems to run in our family. I had a few when pg with all of mine.

But my mum has the worst tale. She fainted when pg with me in a bakers, and someone stole her purse while she lay passed out!

See it happened in the good ole 1960s too!!

niceglasses - yesterday a young couple who looked a bit dodgy were helping me and I thought they would have been off with my bag and phone but they spent ages with me checking that I was ok. It restored my faith in the Dutchies!

I can't believe someone stole her purse in the 60's though - that is awful.

Last time around it happened to me several times a week from 18 weeks. BP absolutely fine- I work in a hospital so got it checked immediately when it happened there, always fine.Usually happened after lunch unless I had to be on my feet loads, then it'd happen earlier. Husband got very used to collecting me. It stopped the week after I gave up work. Did have a night in hospital, did get sent home with a heart monitor for a couple of weeks, did have a few weeks off work sick (didn't happen when really taking it easy), but no diagnosis, consultants (2, I got a medical consultant opinion as well as obstetrician- felt special, but scared at the time) put it down to, guess what, pregnancy! I remember feeling very weepy and helpless afterwards, and shaky for a good few hours. Lying down was about all I could do.
I wonder if bp might have been fine, but as I was making a point of eating fair amount (everyone kept telling me I must have low blood sugar) and would regularly keel over less than an hour later, maybe slightly too much diverted to stomach instead of brain?? Just my theory, but eating 'little' and often this time and I've been ok, but have to say this pregnancy is completely different in all ways, so not sure that actually is making any difference at all.
I'd try not to worry too much if medics don't come up a reason for it, they don't like to own up there are things they can't explain.
Good luck, hope it doesn't happen too often,
mumofk

Mumofk - thanks for that. It's only really been happening since I hit 20 weeks so sounds like we have the same problem. Hopefully after the pregnancy I won't have any problems with it.

Also had fainting fits while pregnant with DS and have passed out whilst pregnant with this one (19wks). My midwife told me to eat often and to snack on something every 30mins or so. Also make sure your drinking lots.

I am eating and drinking well as I have diabetes - not GD but type1 which I have had for 21 years. So I have to eat and drink properly which is why I know it isn't that which is causing the fainting.

I think it is just another "lovely" side effect I have to put up with!

Fainting......not sure why? Speak to GP for referal regarding
Vasovagal syncope..............often misdiagnosed as epilepsy...............
TILT TABLE TEST .............. is the definitive test for vasovagal synccope also known as Reflex Anoxic Syndrome........Check out this helpful website which also explains LONG QT which may be a reason for faints...........
www.STARS.org.uk
STARS have lots of useful information. Hope this helps some posts here.

Hi daisynova
No answers just to say im also a type 1 diabetic and had an episode at work this weekend where i was very close to passing out (im 33 weeks) 1st time it has happened and immediatley checked my bg which was 7.2 so not that im stumped too.

On a seperate note theres a pregnabt type 1 diabetic thread on here also, the ladies are lovely and very helpful

daisy that sounds just awful.
The only things I can suggest is are your iron levels and blood sugar levels ok?
Also, I'm a cardiac nurse, if this is caused by your blood pressure, your blood pressure may only suddenly drop when you faint, but when you come around it can go back to normal. So it can be difficult to detect.
Being pregnant also means your circulating volume increases, if you are dehydrated it can drop your blood pressure so make sure you are drinking plenty too.