Staying active, third trimester and feeling faint!

[FTMat42]

I’m currently 30 weeks pregnant and recently had a few ‘funny turns’ where I feel like I’m about to faint whilst I’ve been out and about.
I’m not exactly a gym bunny but normally organise my life around walking a couple of
miles most days to do errands/go to work/GP etc which keeps me active, and have done so all my life so have a reputation for charging around.
Now suddenly I don’t trust myself to feel ok - even when walking at half my normal speed my heart is racing and need to lie down when I get home. Nearly fainted on arrival at midwife appt last week but she didn’t seem super concerned just checked if eaten/staying hydrated and said my blood pressure was normal.
I’ve got slightly low iron so trying to find some supplements I can tolerate (was already on gentle iron long term) and will get tested again soon but don’t think it’s low enough to cause fainting?
My theory is maybe baby is squashing a vein or something sometimes but not sure if that’s possible whilst standing/walking.

Does anyone have similar experiences? Any advice on coping with slowing down without being immensely frustrated - I can’t even go to get a prescription in my lunch break!? Or how to stay active if you’re worried what will happen when you leave the house…?
thanks!

Have you been tested for gestational diabetes? Probably not that but the reason I was finally diagnosed after having it undiagnosed for probably most of the pregnancy last time I was pregnant was because I nearly fainted a couple of times in public, I ended up sitting on the floor and not able to move. Just worth checking x

Interesting… not been tested yet but hadn’t thought it could be that, will follow up at my next appointment tomorrow.

I feel your pain. Before being pregnant I was known for being quite active - if somewhere was under two miles away I would definitely walk. If I had the time I would walk five or six miles without thinking anything of it.

Not now! I’m tired out so quickly. My legs have got bigger and I feel unfit. There’s not much I can do though I don’t think - I mean I am lugging another person around now so that is gonna slow me down!

I want to go swimming cos the water will support my stomach, but the pools round me seem to be on a booking-only basis (is this since lockdown??) and/or only do lane swimming at 8pm. I’m ready for bed shortly after 9pm 😆

I'm really looking forward to not being pregnant anymore so I can go out walking again, I get so out of breath just walking to the end of the street, plus the back and leg pains, I couldn't imagine walking a mile I would die 😂 I wasn't overly active before this pregnancy , I don't go to the gym or anything but do really enjoy nature walks. I think its something your just going to have to accept I'm afraid, if you can manage maybe just have a short walk around the block instead so at least you close to home x

I had exactly the same symptoms. Palpitations and feeling like I was going to pass out. My blood tests only showed slight iron deficiency too but I’ve been put on two iron tablets a day now and feeling much better. It’s super scary having those funny turns so please speak to your midwife and stress about the symptoms. Hope you’re okay xx

I’ve been getting out of breath in the third trimester too. I noticed I had a headache one night during the heatwave and was a bit worried at how sore it was and the fact it wasn’t going away so took my blood pressure (just in case it was high). It turned out to be low, not majorly but just below the 90/60. It seems being dehydrated means my blood pressure was likely to be lower so I’ve now tried to make an effort to drink as much as I can (without peeing myself) 😂 Also borderline for iron so I think that adds to it

I’ve had literally exactly the same symptoms - always been a runner/very active but was very ill during first and second trimester with nausea/sickness so stopped pretty much everything and started getting back to being active but the last few weeks have fainted whilst walking up a hill and nearly fainted just walking along a flat but quite fast paced (am 28 weeks) - iron showed a little low so started on tablets yesterday but then had another funny turn yesterday whilst out driving - ie not whilst exerting myself - i have to say I’m now worrying about gestational diabetes and this episode felt more like low blood sugar.. haven’t ever been tested as they have always said i’m low risk and normal BMI/lost weight in earlier stages of pregnancy.. I’m going to call triage today and see what they say.. even if your midwife doesn’t seem
bothered, if you feel something isn’t right definitely push to get it checked as they don’t know what you’re feeling. Have you had any protein in your urine - that’s the other thing I have kept having but midwife says ‘ah it’s probably just from discharge as you don’t have any symptoms of pre-eclampsia (as my BP has always been v low) but after looking it up myself it can be a sign for lots of things not just pre-eclampsia - including diabetes.. so it’s frustrating they’ve kept just saying not to worry about it.. anyway please update on how you get on!