Passing out « Back to Group Discussions

[Adaline'sMama]

Ive had a few dizzy spells in the past few weeks, but this afternoon i passed out while standing at the fridge door. I hadnt been doing anything strenuous, id eaten plenty, had plenty of sleep, and wasn't overheated or anything. Was filling up a half gallon water bottle, so I'd been standing there for about 3 minutes. Dd was next to me, and I remember thinking "my face is numb and I can't see." the next thing whacking hacking my face. He said I'd only been out for about 30 seconds, and that I'd caught myself on the way down by falling to my knees first.

Before you say it, there is zero chance of me drinking even one more ounce if water a day. At a gallon and a half of water a day, I am struggling to have what is a much needed appetite. I salt my food, and just had my iron tested last week- it was 14! So, not low at all.

I know I have low blood pressure, but it's actually higher than it was in past two pregnancies. I've left a message with my ob, and I'm sure I'll hear back tomorrow. Any ideas of what I can do to keep this from happening?

[kellybeth]

i'm glad you're okay!

i get dizzy/black-out like when i'm in a crowded place and my body temperature goes up. do you think that could be it? body temperature that is. unless your fridge is crowded. (kidding)

sometimes nausea from even the slightest whiff of something can make me dizzy, too. do you remember any smells?

i have a strange version of seizures that make me go into zombie mode (absence seizures), so i basically am not alone in public, and i can't drive. took years to figure out what was happening to me!

make sure you write things down, every dizzy spell and what you were doing at the time, what you were thinking about and how you felt.

[odinsmama]

Oh, scary! Hope you're doing okay now and trying not to worry too much about it.
Hugs, mama!

Could it be too much water?
Are you taking in other electrolytes besides salt?

I don't know! Hope your OB has some good advice for you.

[typebug]

I usually have a bit of warning - like I feel really woozy and my hands go numb before I pass out. It's been heat, low blood sugar and often stress or poor breathing - like I'm concentrating on something-- that impact that for me but honestly during pregnancy I think it can be really random. Try to remember how you felt before and you'll probably have no trouble pinpointing that feeling next time to give you time to sit down and prepare yourself to lose conciseness without falling. I find when I do sit down and take some deep breaths it sometimes just passes and I don't pass out in the end. 

[Chloe'sMama]

I have low blood pressure and have passed out (not while pregnant) and feel much more dizzy and light headed when pregnant, I have blacked out though while pregnant, I have the warning signs before, so I will  lay down..  I make sure I don't lock my knees if standing for a while.  I usually feel dizzy before I I black out and will kneel or lay down.  Sorry you passed out.  Scary.

[Imakcerka]

It could have just been a sudden shift in your blood pressure.  Hope it's nothing. 

[sweetestday]

You may need extra iron. One thing I do when I get dizzy is take chlorophyll in a glass of water. It seems to make a big difference. Chlorophyll is so close to our own blood, it's almost like having a transfusion, and it's hard to overdose on it, so is very safe. I take a lot of it after birth, too and it keeps me from feeling so dizzy from blood loss. 

I always figure if I'm dizzy while pregnant, I must be making a lot of extra blood for the baby. I'm sure you're making even extra right now. ;)

[kellybeth]

Originally Posted by sweetestday 

You may need extra iron. One thing I do when I get dizzy is take chlorophyll in a glass of water. It seems to make a big difference. Chlorophyll is so close to our own blood, it's almost like having a transfusion, and it's hard to overdose on it, so is very safe. I take a lot of it after birth, too and it keeps me from feeling so dizzy from blood loss. 

I always figure if I'm dizzy while pregnant, I must be making a lot of extra blood for the baby. I'm sure you're making even extra right now. ;)

that is such a great idea!

[Jenny01]

I have low blood pressure too and have had instances in the past where I get really light headed and even pass out when I'm standing in one place for too long (esp in crowded areas like someone else mentioned), especially if my head is pointed down.  I haven't had any instances so far with my pregnancy but I wouldn't be surprised if it happened.  I have had two weird occurrences where I got really woozy, sweaty and came close to passing out, all in the name of a bowel movement shortly thereafter.  Now THAT was weird!

Hope you are ok and this doesn't happen again!!

[Adaline'sMama]

Thanks everyone :) My OB seems to think that Im having lower than average dips in my blood pressure, which is apparently fairly common for the second trimester. I did pass out twice with my last pregnancy, but I had heard all this greatness about drinking water and how that prevents everything associated with low blood pressure. Lies, all lies. 

Anyway, I dont have low Iron, and I cant possibly consume anymore (Im eating about 150grams of protein a day. About half of that is iron rich meat, along with an iron supplement, and there is iron in my prenatal) - but she did recommend more than just salt as an electrolyte. EmergenC makes me super nauseous, any other ideas?

[Brambleberry]

In the summer when we're working outside a lot I like to make lemonade with baking soda added to carbonate it and add electrolytes.  About 1/8 tsp is all you need for a 12 oz glass.  You can also make it with raw apple cider vinegar and honey.  You can't taste the baking soda at all since it reacts with the acid.  You may want to add extra lemon juice or vinegar if you want it tangy, since the baking soda takes away the sourness too.

[Jenny01]

I've used Ultima in the past when working out - its a bit pricey but tastes decent enough.    http://ultimareplenisher.com/

I think coconut water is a good source of electrolytes too, if you like the taste of it.

[HouseofPeace]

ack- 150 oz of protein a day!  how do you do it!  i struggle to get my 70-90 a day, and would love to know how you accomplish this feat!  let alone drink so much water.  i'm so impressed. 

here's hoping this all eases up.  so sorry that you have to face this.  

kombucha is my electrolyte drink of choice- but i've been drinking it for years and years now.  even in labor- also one of my probiotics of choice.

love coconut water too, but don't get it very often.

[loveandgarbage]

Yeah coconut water and kombucha are your best bets.

[josie423]

Yikes to the passing out! I hope it doesn't happen again. How low is your BP on average, out of curiosity? Mine's been pretty low this time as well.

I am in awe of you, I have no idea how I'd get 150 grams of protein in! Wtg Mama!

[eminvc]

Most people in my family have a history of feeling faint/passing out from low blood sugar. This sounds gross, but it always works--great-grandma's remedy...teaspoon of sugar on your tongue followed by a glass of orange juice. I have no scientific info as to why this works and I am aware that it sounds odd and maybe somewhat unnatural!

[odinsmama]

I just got this electrolyte mix which is just okay.  Sweetened with stevia, which I'm not a huge fan of.  

Might be worth a try, especially if you can buy single packets somewhere before you invest in a whole box.

I'm increasing my intake of electrolytes (which I normally don't focus on at all) as a preventative for preterm labor.