Strange Tired "Episodes"

I don't know for sure what is going on with your tired spells, but I will say this: Listen to your body. I really think these types of symptoms are our bodies telling us something!

When I was pregnant with my 18-mo-old I was VERY swollen, extremely exhausted, and just not feeling well at all. I would often feel like I seriously NEEDED to lay down. I kept working anyway, for all the usual reasons: needed the money, didn't want everyone to think I was a wimp, didn't want to disappoint people who were counting on me at work, wanted to save all my disability time for AFTER the baby arrived, etc. I thought, "I just sit at a desk all day, how bad can it be?" I finally quit working at 35 weeks.

My water broke just over a week later, at 36 weeks according to my doctor's EDD (or 37 weeks according to my own EDD).

I don't know if it's related, but I unknowingly had a velamentous insertion, where the cord is not strongly attached to the placenta, but is only attached by a few veins. It scares me to think how dangerous that was for my baby. If the cord had detached while she was inside me (instead of breaking after she was out, like it did after I gave birth), she would not have survived. I tend to think my body was telling me "take it easy" because it knew what was best for me.

I'm not trying to scare you or say something is wrong -- just saying that I would listen to my body and take it easy, even if it's nothing but normal pregnancy tiredness. It's only 1-2 months more and I really think we pregnant women push ourselves too much sometimes. Consider taking some time off, or make arrangements for a nap in the middle of the day, or work shorter hours, or whatever! As well as seeing your care provider, of course.

Best wishes and please report back if you figure out what is causing your tired spells...

It sounds like low hemoglobin to me

Mine is low (not as low as yours but still dropping) and I'm just starting to feel breathless sometimes. My first suppliment didn't seem to help so I'm trying another for 4 weeks and testing again.

I'd call the midwife unless you have an appointment really soon. You don't want to fall or otherwise hurt yourself by fainting.

Have you had your blood pressure checked recently? I suffer from low blood pressure, and have issues like you describe. What happens is when you are standing, the blood starts to pool in your legs, resulting in a feeling of faintness. Make sure you don't lock your legs when standing, as this makes it worse.

Feelings of extreme fatigue like you describe are sometimes due to lack of oxygen or blood sugar in the brain. Other than blood pressure, they can be caused by anemia, pressure on the lungs (although I don't think you're quite far enough for that issue yet), low blood sugar, or low blood volume. I would defintly talk to your midwife and see how your iron levels are doing, have your blood pressure checked both sitting and standing, and take a close look at your diet. You might want to keep a diet journal, as well as a record of the spells and when they are happening, as that might help your MW pinpoint what is going on with you.

As a working mom, I know how important staying at work as long as possible can be. While you are struggling, don't be shy about asking for help. Maybe get a coworker to fill your water, or ask them to walk with you if you are feeling faint. Everyone loves to help a pregnant lady. Hope you find the answer soon!

Wow, I haven't checked back in on this thread in a while! Thanks for all the answers and ideas.
I'm feeling much better these days. I think it was a combination of low iron (anemia) and blood sugar spikes. My iron is back up, and I try not to eat nuts on an empty stomach.
If I do have an "episode" it's light and brief. I'm really thinking it was the anemia.
Thanks again!