help - cramps, dizziness, belly hardening 19th week

[sphinx]

I haven't been here in a while, but I have a problem! I am in my 19th week of a fairly pleasant pregnancy (my 2nd). Only problems are some annoying but tolerable constipation and varicose veins. Two days ago I started to feel severe cramping, lightheadedness, chills (but no fever), waves of intense belly hardening and nausea, plus a persistent headache. I have very low blood pressure usually. I tried to eat, but the nausea and headache would immediately worsen, so I just drank a lot of hot tea. Last night in the middle of the night I woke up to eat some tofu because the baby was moving around, as if perhaps looking for some food. When I got up in the morning I felt alright, but I have not felt any fetal movements all day and I have this heavy morbid feeling. The weirdest part is that my breasts have been like rocks the entire pregnancy and suddenly this morning they were soft - as if they decided not to make any milk after all. That is what is truly flipping me out. I can't call my midwife until Monday. Has anyone else ever had a similar experience - especially the breast softening all of a sudden in mid-pregnancy? I would be grateful for any insight. Thanks!

[Artisan]

Can you page the MW oncall? Your symptoms may be normal, but could also not be. I would go to the ER if you can't reach your MW.

[Foobar]

Your blood volume is increasing at this point. You may start to notice some dizziness and headaches from that. The belly hardening sounds like Braxton Hicks contractions.

My nausea fluxuates alot during pregnancy..

I would see if you could call the MW on duty if possible just to discuss these if you are worried.

Rest up and make sure you are drinking lots of water.

[mirthfulmum]

I agree with Foobar & reader. Call you MW as soon as you can a discuss your concerns with her.

A lot of the symptoms you mentioned (constipation, cramping, lightheadedness, nausea, persistent headache) sound like dehydration. Remeber that tea is a diarehtic (I don't think that's spelled right) so when you drink tea (and coffee) you actually loose water because you end up peeing out more than you take in. I read in one of my pregnancy books with my first preg. to drink a glass of water for every cup of coffe or tea consumed.

Like Foobar said, rest up and drink plenty of water. I hope you feel better soon.

[gurumama]

I agree with Foobar & reader. Call you MW as soon as you can a discuss your concerns with her.

A lot of the symptoms you mentioned (constipation, cramping, lightheadedness, nausea, persistent headache) sound like dehydration. Remeber that tea is a diarehtic (I don't think that's spelled right) so when you drink tea (and coffee) you actually loose water because you end up peeing out more than you take in. I read in one of my pregnancy books with my first preg. to drink a glass of water for every cup of coffe or tea consumed.

Like Foobar said, rest up and drink plenty of water. I hope you feel better soon.

I had a huge problem at 19 weeks, similar issues. My MW said to drink 32 oz. of water (yep--a full quart) and rest completely for an hour. See if the problems go away.

If they don't, get to your MW or an ER ASAP. You don't want to second guess this.

[sphinx]

Thank you everybody for your responses. Interesting about all those dehydration symptoms, but I'm a crazy water guzzler. I don't drink black tea but herbal and fruit infusions. Anyway whatever it was, it's over, it could have been related to my daughter vomiting a few days before... I don't know, but I feel much better and just when I was going to go to the ER I finally felt a lot of baby movement last night and regularly ever since. I guess the baby just took a loooong nap or something. Tomorrow I go to see the MW. Thanks again for your support and advice!!

[mirthfulmum]

I'm happy to hear you and the babe are feeling better.

I had the stomach flu a couple of weeks ago and yeah! it feels so much worse when you're pregnant.