Worried over lack of oxygen

[rose19rose]

Hello, I am looking for some support on something that happened to me yesterday. I am 19 weeks pregnant and still struggle with sickness (occasionally). Yesterday I was sick quite a bit in the morning, lots of stomach acid. Once I had stopped throwing up, I am not entirely sure what happened, but when I went to breathe again my airways were blocked and it felt like I was choking on nothing. It took me about 30 seconds (not entirely sure how long) to catch my breath and I almost ran outside to find my neighbour. I felt fine after, no dizziness or fainting but obviously a little shaken up.

I am now left in a huge panic over thinking about the lack of oxygen to the baby. Have I deprived the baby of oxygen?! I am so scared of the damage I may have caused. I really hope I am worrying over nothing. I’ve tried to do lots of research but can’t find much.

I think it will be fine. You should have still have had enough oxygen in your bloodstream to get to baby in that 30 seconds. You could ring your midwife just to run it by her if you're worrying though for peace of mind.

Thanks for your reassurance. I’ve actually called two different midwives that have both said nothing to worry about but I can’t stop worrying!

Why did you not trust the two midwives? It sounds scary but luckily you didn’t deprive yourself of enough oxygen to pass out so I’m sure the baby is fine.

Was it perhaps panic?

Just think - if you tried you could easily hold your breath for 30s

I think I suffer from obsessing over negative thoughts (something I am seeking help with). Once something is in my head I can’t get rid of it until the next negative thought comes! I just hope baby is fine.

Yes it could be! I’ve never experienced anything like it before, nor have I experienced a panic attack so I am unsure what happened.

Glad you’re getting help. Agree with pp, 30 seconds trying to catch your breath won’t have harmed baby. You must have a scan soon?

Yes I had my initial appointment today to assess how I’m coping! I actually had my 20 weeks scan on Monday which came back all good. I just wish I could erase these thoughts and know baby is healthy.

sounds like you may have had laryngospasm (bit of acid or vom got on you vocal cords and they close by reflex for moment). If you didn't deprive yourself of oxygen enough to do damage, the baby will have been fine - it's essentially a parasite - it'll take what it needs whatever's going on with you.

Agree with PP it sounds like laryngospasm. I've had it twice before and it's horrible as you literally can't breathe. Trick is not to panic and relax, and the spasm will ease.

I'm sure there has been no harm to baby at all.

That would be fine. I have sleep apnea and was concerned about the lack of oxygen but dr said not to worry as it won’t affect baby.

The baby will be fine. Foetal haemoglobin- the molecule that carries the oxygen- has a stronger affinity for oxygen than adult haemoglobin. So you could be on the verge of unconsciousness due to lack of oxygen and the baby will still be able to "steal" your oxygen for itself and be fine :-) . Look up "oxygen dissociation curve foetal haemoglobin left shift" as your googling search terms if you want a better scientific explanation.

I’ve just searched this and it does seem like it could’ve been that! I had no idea why it happened but it just seemed like my airways were stuck shut! I didn’t know what to do, I think it must’ve lasted 30 seconds and I felt fine after so I am really hoping the short episode has done no damage. It’s a really scary experience tho!

Oh sorry to hear you’re going through this. It must be scary. I did wonder how people with sleep apnea cope. Did the dr say that because it’s only for short episodes there will be no damage?

Thank you for this information. I find it really reassuring to know the science behind it. Have googled a little but struggling to understand it completely so I will watch a few YouTube videos tonight on it!

Hi OP, agree that laryngospasm sounds right and there is nothing to worry about. Baby takes what they need first.

I would be more worried about your anxiety as I recognise my pregnant self so much in what you say.

Watching videos to understand the science to reassure yourself isn't healthy behaviour, when you've already had reassurance from qualified professionals.

I read every scientific paper possible while pregnant, like you I would obsess and research something loads until I moved on to the next worry. It was the beginning of anxiety, which got worse after birth and has been chronic and impacting my life since.

I had never had issues with anxiety prior to pregnancy and I so wish I had tackled it early. Please seek help so you can enjoy the rest of your pregnancy, and life with your baby. Take care!

Urgh sorry I've now seen that you are seeking help with it already. That's great! Sending hugs.

Hello, thanks for your message. I am now 100% sure it was laryngospasm, triggered by vomiting stomach acid. So pleased to have found out what it was. Thanks for your comment about baby being okay.

Sorry to hear you went through a similar experience with anxiety. It’s horrible and really consumes your mind! It is good to know that I am not alone and other people worry as much as I do, although it’s not good we are all worrying to this extent!

What you have said is exactly how I feel. A few days ago I was completely obsessed over something else (eating a slightly runny egg), last week it was toxoplasmosis, and so on… and again did lots of panicking and googling. And I know I’m a few days I will probably obsess over a new worry. I have been given so much support from people saying it will be fine and logically broke down the situation but that’s still not enough.

I can spend hours researching, speaking to professionals but nothing can help my thoughts and I just constantly seek reassurance. Which is why I made an appointment last week to get help with controlling my thoughts! I hope you have managed to regain some more control /support now too?