[Jess_n'_the_bean]

So, yesterday I was feeling quite strange - my heart would all of a sudden start racing and I was feeling quite dizzy most of the day. I was a bit worried, so I called the midwife (mine is on holiday so I spoke to a backup m/w). Her first thought was that my iron was low, but when i had all my bloodwork done, my iron was actually very good. She asked if I was drinking enough fluids (yes, tons!).

She basically told me that it was probably due to blood volume increasing and that it's possible that my iron levels have dropped suddenly. Told me to take it easy for the afternoon and call on the weekend if i was still feeling the same way.

I feel better today but just wondering if anyone has experienced these heart palpitations/extreme dizziness and if you have any info...
thx!

 

[CrazyCatLady]

I go through this (bad) everytime that I'm pregnant. It really sucks. I often get low iron, and that doesn't help. But it will still happen even when my iron is good. Do you have low blood pressure? When I'm pregnant, mine is usually about 90/50. I have no idea what to do to make it better, but I know my low bp really made my getting weak and dizzy worse. I hope you feel better, make sure you're eating lots of protein, getting lots of sleep, and drinking plenty of fluids.

 

[LizaBear]

Yep - my blood pressure bottoms out, my blood sugars drop, I get dizzy and light-headed, and my heart races and pounds SO hard that it feels like someone 6 feet away from me should be able to feel it.

 

[5thAttempt]

Can it be panic attack? If it ism it is not dangerous.

 

[Jess_n'_the_bean]

OOOh thanks mamas, you make me feel better.

5th Attempt, I know it's not panic attacks as i have had them before and it is a very different feeling. I think my blood pressure is lower than it normally is (when not preg.) and i do tend to easily get low blood sugar. (this all makes sense!) I am actually really struggling with eating enough, and consistently in general. I am not doing too badly but I feel I could/should be doing better, especially with protein. My appetite is such a mysterious and elusive thing right now. The worst thing is that i can hardly bear to eat anything i prepare/cook myself...and i usually love to cook

:

 

[milk_maker]

Ugh, I got it bad earlier and it's tapered off with time.

It's no fun and nothing I could do would make it go away. I just tried to lay down and drink some OJ in case it was my sugar dropping.

 

[eli janine]

Popping in from Jan DDC...
I had this same feeling during last pg, and starting a little now in this one (I'm nineteen weeks). Pounding heart, like you can practically see my T-shirt move. Racing pulse and a lightheaded feeling. I remember once in the ninth month DH and I were in a camping gear store and I suddenly had to crawl over to a little camping chair stored under a flight of stairs and just put my head down as far toward between my knees as I could get it until the feeling stopped. It increased with me post-partum, and I even had small episodes when DS was one year old. The best way to make it stop is to lie flat. I talked to my OB, and she felt that it was due to a combination of blood volume and blood sugar levels. She said most women have arrhythmia during pregnancy, but a lot of them don't feel it...our systems just must be more sensitive to the experience? The post-partum experiences were all cases where I probably had a crash in blood sugar level. Hope this makes you feel better!

 

[riversong]

I have low blood pressure too and it produces the dizziness, heart racing and shortness of breath for me. My only cure is to lie down for at least 30 minutes. No small feat with a toddler around. My mw suggested lots of fluids in the morning because of my expanding blood volume. It seems to help a little.

 

[Jess_n'_the_bean]

I had a doctor's appt yesterday for a non-pregnancy related issue but i mentioned the symptoms - she is getting me to do bloodwork to test my thyroid, glucose (again) and ferratin. we shall see. I am feeling better - heart isn't racing anymore though still having dizzy spells.
i'll let you know...

thanks for your posts!!