Fainting

[Stephanie226]

Does anyone else have problems with fainting in their pregnancy? I'm just about to hit 30 weeks and it's getting me down so much. As soon as I try do things around the house etc I feel really faint and last week I fainted at work and broke my nose and teeth. I'm back at work on Wednesday and I'm so stressed out about it. I feel useless and feel like people will just start getting fed up with me

Go to the doctor.

It could be your blood pressure has dropped.

That's what A&E said last week when I was there with my broken nose etc but nothing can be done for it 😫

Ready salted crisps and full fat coke. Both can help with blood pressure (at least that is what I was told when mine tanked in pregnancy)

Thanks so much, will try anything and that sounds good to try lol

Hi lovely, I do this when I'm pregnant (infact it's how I found put the first time i was pregnant at 13 weeks lol) but I use to do it in my early 20s too.

It's when you have low BP and you get a sudden spike (usually when you haven't eaten or drank in a while). It's not very nice and I can understand how you feel (I use to get really embarrassed, especially when i fainted backwards on someone and he caught me). Do they have you standing in work? I found with first baby it would aggravate it even more and I fainted more when on my feet for long periods.

There's nothing you can do really, keep hydrated, snack and sit when you can. I can usually feel when I'm going to do it (22 weeks with number 3 now) and I'd feel hot, flustered like I'm losing concentration.

If you keep doing it you'll have to finish work early, as you've said you've broke your nose and teeth it's a danger to you and baby especially if you fell forward.

I've currently been off work for a few weeks and am signed off until babies arrival after a hospital stay due to fainting, after a couple episodes while in pau due to a bleed found that when I pass out babies heart rate drops in response, my blood pressure has been low in pregnancy anyway.

Not got much help to offer other than if you need to (and can afford to) then consider doing what you need to work wise to look after yourself and baby

I have iron tablets to try and help due to mild anemia, keeping fluids up can help blood pressure, compression stockings, moving slowly/resting... a big one for me is that as soon as babies weight is against my back he cuts off my blood flow 🤦‍♀️ so have to be lent to one side when sitting and lying on my back makes me pass out within 10 minutes... honestly I'm bored out my mind and feeling pathetically sorry for myself but having his heart rate drop and the room flood with nurses and doctors the few times it happened in the hospital has me willing to do anything it takes to prevent/reduce things as much as I possibly can

@TisforTucan thanks for replying. I used to be prone to fainting but not done it in years until now being pregnant. Didn't do it in first pregnancy 13 years ago. I work with children age 2-5 so I am on my feet a lot and work 10 hour shifts. I tried to get out the room last week when I felt unwell so I didn't scare the kids but ended up just making it worse. It was at 8:20am so hadn't been on my feet for long or anything and had breakfast. I have 7 weeks left of work, hoping I can sit it out 🤦‍♀️

@NewandNrvous aw I'm so sorry to hear, that all sounds so tough!! I haven't had babies heart rate checked after I've fainted any of the times because I've still felt him moving they say that's enough. I try and rest but life gets in the way, but I know I could try harder and accept more help that's offered to me. I cleaned out my teenagers clothes today then had to quickly lie down, just simple things really so it's driving me mad!! Thank you for letting me rant 😂

I really feel for you. I had that exactly (thank god I never actually fainted though but felt close so many times) and it was awful around 27-30 weeks. I'm almost 40 weeks now and I'm so glad it went away because I was so anxious that I would be on edge and feeling faint until baby comes, so if its any reassurance you could start feeling better soon. I've wondered if maybe it's something hormonal during that time, interesting that you're around the same stage I was when I felt faint.

It's so mentally draining as well you must be exhausted. I would get so anxious about another faint episode happening and it was difficult to get myself going outside as I was scared it would happen in public, when I was alone with my toddler etc. I'd definitely try to explain your situation to friends, family etc and ask that they help give you time to rest as much as possible. Also just take any cleaning and such nice and slow. I never found the cause of what made me feel faint but I find it so interesting that someone has recommended salty crisps and coke as that is EXACTLY what I found helped me most when I was getting out of sorts!! I recommend bringing a small pack lunch everywhere with a little bit of stuff to snack on if you feel funny it helped me so many times

Ah no I see now, might make things a bit difficult for you if you work with children. Can you make a plan with work so you can sit as soon as you feel something is coming over you?

The only way I can over come it is sitting for 15 minutes with a bottle of water and something salty to eat. Don't try to rush to leave the room, just find a seat as soon as you can.