Faint/Dizzy spells 26 weeks pregnant

[FirstTimeMom91]

Hi, I wondered if anyone could help/has been through something similar.
I'm currently 26 weeks pregnant and iv had the odd dizzy/faint spell where I go really warm, then my eyes go all funny and I feel all light headed. They have happened at random times and all different situations. I put it down to blood pressure being all over the place, however the last 2 times it's happened have been when I'm in the passenger seat of a car. I start to get really warm and sweaty. Then my eyes go funny. Only these times iv actually appeared passed out for 30 seconds, then when I come around I'm absolutely fine. I went to a&e the first time and they done some bloods and an ecg but all was fine so they sent me on my way with no explanation.
I just find it strange and wondered if anyone else ever experienced this?
I had my GTT test today so I'll see what that comes back with but other than that I'm stumped!

You said you went to A&E but have you spoken to your midwife about this? When was the last time you had a screening for preeclampsia?

Could be blood pressure, low iron, low blood sugar it’s really hard to say. Needs mentioning to your midwife though, you could get hurt if you fainted when not in the car

Has it only started since pregnancy? I’ve had dizziness/fainting my whole life, but it got really bad during my second pregnancy and post-partum. Including fainting in the passenger seat of car like you describe. Ive been diagnosed with POTS since then. I got a referral to a cardiologist from my GP.
I’m pregnant again, and this time has been much better since I’ve followed all the protocols.

See your GP asap.

I have been dizzy, not fainted or lost consciousness but have come close on a couple of occasions.
I'm 26+ 5 now l, it started at about 22 weeks I think. Can be fine some days then other days I have a dizzy spell usually in the morning. For me it is blood pressure related as it is quite low when I have the symptoms and then recovers to a normal level.

I'm 35 weeks and had a few spells but managed to keep myself alert. Ie. Not actually pass out.
I'd definitely speak to your midwife and ask for your iron levels to be checked (turns out I'm anaemic and have been on 200mg ferrous sulphate the last 6 weeks)I'm also taking aspirin for pre eclampsia but preventive rather than because I have it (my mum had it and had me early, that's why they told me to take it) my BP is usually low and low BP can cause dizzy spells.

I also get palpitations and my heart rate shoots up, even if I've been on the sofa doing nothing for an hour, this i believe is down to iron being low. I can get a bit light headed then too. I'm a bit better after taking iron tablets but my levels are still low a month after starting taking the tablets and I still get the odd palpitation. Bit not so dizzy anymore.

So do speak to your midwife, ask for BP checks, iron etc and see if there's a cause. Rule them out. Otherwise it might just be something you're prone to in pregnancy but don't assume. Make sure you've ruled out everything first.

I was told due to low BP to be careful getting up from lying or sitting positions, but my dizzy spells have always been triggered by either overheating, palpitations, seeing blood (like when my partner cut himself badly!) Or when in NCT Class they showed a video of a c section and then pulled the placenta out I sort of went a bit white white then too. I got hot then dizzy - I've updated my birth plan to say to not let me see it as i might faint! I'm obviously Sensitive to certin visual bloody sights!)

Hi OP, I've recently been pregnant and had all the symptoms you describe, apart from the actual passing out - definitely came very close though! Lying down and closing my eyes always helped although tricky if you're at work or in a car like you say. As PP mentioned, blood pressure and iron were almost certainly to blame and possibly low blood sugar too. The good news is that although I've had this in both my pregnancies now, I've been absolutely fine since having the babies and sure you will be too. Good luck with it all!