Not a good day yesterday - Yada, Yada, Yada

Amy&Claire · 01-30-07, 04:14 PM

Okay, here is my day from hell. I don't know if I've mentioned much about how I've been having trouble getting enough air in my lungs and having lots of dizziness but it has been getting worse throughout this pregnancy. It comes on out of nowhere and it's really severe. Anyway, at my 28 week apt. I found out my placenta was totally fine and the baby was head down too. He mentioned though that my blood work showed I was anemic and he prescribed an iron pill to take 2X daily in addition to my prenatal. I asked him if this was why I have been getting so dizzy but he said no it shouldn't be. I figured it's the baby pressing on major arteries and possibly that my heart has to work so much harder and it's not always able to effectively do it's job. Anyway, I had my 30 wk. apt yesterday and I decided to bring Claire since she hasn't gone to any since the very 1st one and she didn't have any activities scheduled. So on the way, while I was driving I started feeling that familar sensation of being lightheaded and dizzy. And I'm thinking okay, what the hell can I do now? I tried to sit forward because I know that sometimes that helps me. Nothing was working and I was getting worse so I pulled over. The next thing I really remember is waking up with my head in my lap and remembering I was dreaming and hearing music playing. I turned around and see Claire sitting in the back seat of the car and realize where I am and that I must have fainted. I'm having trouble breathing again so I get out to get some fresh air and realize I'm really bad off. So I walk around to the sideswalk because I saw a jogger go by and figure someone will walk by and I can ask them to hail me a cab. When I get to the sidewalk I completely lose my vision. Everything is completely black. And now I can hear Claire crying from inside the car. So I have to drop to my knees because I can't stand anymore from feeling faint and I can't see at all and I just start screamig for help. I must have screamed for 5 min. for someone to help me, all the while i can hear Claire crying. Finally, my vision slowly starts returning and I can see shapes. So I make my way back in the car and manage to find my cell phone and call 911. When I'm talking I realize I'm gasping for air and I can barely talk at all. Finally, the fire truck comes but only after passing me and turning around a few minutes later. So I get out to flag them down. They put oxygen on me, and get Claire out. She was so upset at this point. Then an ambulance comes and they take me and Claire to the hospital. They called Mark and thankfully got ahold of him and he came right away. Claire finally calmed down when he got there. Anyway, they gave me an ECG and a bunch of tests. The Dr. there also confirmed that I was anemic but he also agreed that he doesn't think that was the reason why it's happening. Then they found out my potassium was very low so they think that may be the issue. They prescribed pills and I'm hoping they will work. I have to go to my regular OB on Thursday. The papers that they gave me show there were a lot of things that looked abnormal that I have to find out about. My ECG also said it was abnormal so I have to ask my OB about that. Anyway, I'm just thankful that no one was hurt (especially Claire) and that I managed to pull over in time. They told me no more driving until I know for sure that the potassium pills are working. So I had to cab everywhere today. Anway, I'm just really hoping that these pills will do the trick because this dizziness and feeling faint is horrible.

Katsy2 · 01-30-07, 04:41 PM

Oh no Amy!! That is just terrible!! I am so glad that you were able to get to call 911 and get the help you needed! I am sure that you were just so scared!! Claire too!! Hope you get to feeling better!!

KellyB · 01-30-07, 05:17 PM

This is very upsetting. I hope the pills work. Please take care of yourself! Perhaps a mother's helper can drive you around?

JenniferM · 01-30-07, 06:24 PM

OMG Amy!! I cannot even begin to imagine. I am sure what makes this all worse is knowing that Claire was scared during the whole thing, not knowing what was going on. I have heard the potassium info. before.

When I was pg. with Oliver, I had a similar situation, but it stopped earlier than yours. I was driving with Jack and Henry up to Madison (far away from home) and was about 30 wks. pg. I had to pull over very quickly on the highway (cars going 80mph) b/c I felt like everything was spinning. Total headcase. Probably the phase before fainting. It didn't go any further than that, but I ended up calling 911 as a 'just in case.' They talked me through it, but it scared the living hell out of me to have 2 kids on a freeway with cars going 80mph next to us and a knocked out mom up front.

I can only imagine how scary that was. Ugh! How freaky!! I bet the medical issues aren't super severe, but it's obviously scary and hopefully preventable from happening again. So sorry!!

Ani&Riley · 01-30-07, 07:07 PM

Oh Amy-that is just horrendous! What a scary situation for both of you. I'm so glad you are both ok. I did have a similar situation with Riley-almost fainted a couple of times and it was very scary-along with the other symptoms you mentioned...but nothing nearly as severe or scary as what you are dealing with. Please take care and let us know how the pills work.

melissa&spencer · 01-30-07, 07:08 PM

That is so scary. Thank goodness that you were able to pull over before passing out. Mark must have freaked out when he got that call!

Please keep us posted.

Big hugs!

Amy&Claire · 01-30-07, 07:36 PM

Thanks a lot everyone. I know my neighbor had this as well but it's good to hear that other people have dealt with this when pregnant too. I've been feeling like kind of a freak. Thankfully, I live in a walking city, with easy access to cabs too so if I'm not able to drive for the rest of the pregnancy, at least it's not as bad as being in a suburb. I'm hoping it was the potassium but I have this feeling that it may be the position that I'm in when driving the car that caused it. I can not sit in Claire's glider chair at all anymore unless I'm totally sitting forward and turned to the side. If I try and sit back normally I immediately get super dizzy. Again, thanks for the kind words.

JenniferM · 01-30-07, 07:59 PM

I bet this baby can't some soon enough, huh Amy?

Katsy2 · 02-01-07, 12:43 PM

Oh, I am sorry..that so stinks!! :hug

Amy&Claire · 02-01-07, 07:50 PM

I went to my OB today and he was not concerned at all. He said that it's extremely common in pregnancy and it's most likely the baby pressing on major arteries. He said just to lie down on my left side and elevate my feet when it happens. He said I could continue with activities but lay down and take it easy when I need to. I googled it when I got home and there were a ton of messages on Babycenter about it saying their doctors were not concerned and said the same thing. A bunch of them said it happened while they were driving too. But I don't plan on driving. So it sounds like it's something I just have to suffer through the next couple mos. What fun!!!

JenniferM · 02-01-07, 08:15 PM

Isn't that crazy??? You would think with the potential threat, that we would have more warnings out there about this. Too bad insurance won't foot the bill for a chauffer :lol

Kathy NY · 02-05-07, 01:25 PM

I had never heard of this before. Glad it isn't anything major, but I'd be scared to drive after that incident. You're so lucky they were able to reach Mark. I keep thinking of Claire in the car and you outside - thank God you had your cell phone.

Hope you don't experience anything like that ever again.

01-30-07, 04:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Amy&Claire Loyal Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,081 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Not a good day yesterday Okay, here is my day from hell. I don't know if I've mentioned much about how I've been having trouble getting enough air in my lungs and having lots of dizziness but it has been getting worse throughout this pregnancy. It comes on out of nowhere and it's really severe. Anyway, at my 28 week apt. I found out my placenta was totally fine and the baby was head down too. He mentioned though that my blood work showed I was anemic and he prescribed an iron pill to take 2X daily in addition to my prenatal. I asked him if this was why I have been getting so dizzy but he said no it shouldn't be. I figured it's the baby pressing on major arteries and possibly that my heart has to work so much harder and it's not always able to effectively do it's job. Anyway, I had my 30 wk. apt yesterday and I decided to bring Claire since she hasn't gone to any since the very 1st one and she didn't have any activities scheduled. So on the way, while I was driving I started feeling that familar sensation of being lightheaded and dizzy. And I'm thinking okay, what the hell can I do now? I tried to sit forward because I know that sometimes that helps me. Nothing was working and I was getting worse so I pulled over. The next thing I really remember is waking up with my head in my lap and remembering I was dreaming and hearing music playing. I turned around and see Claire sitting in the back seat of the car and realize where I am and that I must have fainted. I'm having trouble breathing again so I get out to get some fresh air and realize I'm really bad off. So I walk around to the sideswalk because I saw a jogger go by and figure someone will walk by and I can ask them to hail me a cab. When I get to the sidewalk I completely lose my vision. Everything is completely black. And now I can hear Claire crying from inside the car. So I have to drop to my knees because I can't stand anymore from feeling faint and I can't see at all and I just start screamig for help. I must have screamed for 5 min. for someone to help me, all the while i can hear Claire crying. Finally, my vision slowly starts returning and I can see shapes. So I make my way back in the car and manage to find my cell phone and call 911. When I'm talking I realize I'm gasping for air and I can barely talk at all. Finally, the fire truck comes but only after passing me and turning around a few minutes later. So I get out to flag them down. They put oxygen on me, and get Claire out. She was so upset at this point. Then an ambulance comes and they take me and Claire to the hospital. They called Mark and thankfully got ahold of him and he came right away. Claire finally calmed down when he got there. Anyway, they gave me an ECG and a bunch of tests. The Dr. there also confirmed that I was anemic but he also agreed that he doesn't think that was the reason why it's happening. Then they found out my potassium was very low so they think that may be the issue. They prescribed pills and I'm hoping they will work. I have to go to my regular OB on Thursday. The papers that they gave me show there were a lot of things that looked abnormal that I have to find out about. My ECG also said it was abnormal so I have to ask my OB about that. Anyway, I'm just thankful that no one was hurt (especially Claire) and that I managed to pull over in time. They told me no more driving until I know for sure that the potassium pills are working. So I had to cab everywhere today. Anway, I'm just really hoping that these pills will do the trick because this dizziness and feeling faint is horrible. __________________ Benjamin is 1 year old!

01-30-07, 04:41 PM	#2
Katsy2 Beauty Queen Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 416 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Not a good day yesterday Oh no Amy!! That is just terrible!! I am so glad that you were able to get to call 911 and get the help you needed! I am sure that you were just so scared!! Claire too!! Hope you get to feeling better!!

01-30-07, 05:17 PM	#3
KellyB Loyal Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,018 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Not a good day yesterday This is very upsetting. I hope the pills work. Please take care of yourself! Perhaps a mother's helper can drive you around? __________________ ~Kelly~ Momma to Meg & Kate March 2008

01-30-07, 06:24 PM	#4
JenniferM Super Star Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 672 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Not a good day yesterday OMG Amy!! I cannot even begin to imagine. I am sure what makes this all worse is knowing that Claire was scared during the whole thing, not knowing what was going on. I have heard the potassium info. before. When I was pg. with Oliver, I had a similar situation, but it stopped earlier than yours. I was driving with Jack and Henry up to Madison (far away from home) and was about 30 wks. pg. I had to pull over very quickly on the highway (cars going 80mph) b/c I felt like everything was spinning. Total headcase. Probably the phase before fainting. It didn't go any further than that, but I ended up calling 911 as a 'just in case.' They talked me through it, but it scared the living hell out of me to have 2 kids on a freeway with cars going 80mph next to us and a knocked out mom up front. I can only imagine how scary that was. Ugh! How freaky!! I bet the medical issues aren't super severe, but it's obviously scary and hopefully preventable from happening again. So sorry!!

01-30-07, 07:07 PM	#5
Ani&Riley Rock Star Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 253 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Not a good day yesterday Oh Amy-that is just horrendous! What a scary situation for both of you. I'm so glad you are both ok. I did have a similar situation with Riley-almost fainted a couple of times and it was very scary-along with the other symptoms you mentioned...but nothing nearly as severe or scary as what you are dealing with. Please take care and let us know how the pills work. __________________ Anja, 36 DH Chris, 37 Daughter Riley, 3 Son Emmitt born 10/14/06 http://www.myspace.com/anicarter

01-30-07, 07:08 PM	#6
melissa&spencer Loyal Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,143 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Not a good day yesterday That is so scary. Thank goodness that you were able to pull over before passing out. Mark must have freaked out when he got that call! Please keep us posted. Big hugs! __________________ Mommy to Spencer Dani

01-30-07, 07:36 PM	#7
Amy&Claire Loyal Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,081 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Not a good day yesterday Thanks a lot everyone. I know my neighbor had this as well but it's good to hear that other people have dealt with this when pregnant too. I've been feeling like kind of a freak. Thankfully, I live in a walking city, with easy access to cabs too so if I'm not able to drive for the rest of the pregnancy, at least it's not as bad as being in a suburb. I'm hoping it was the potassium but I have this feeling that it may be the position that I'm in when driving the car that caused it. I can not sit in Claire's glider chair at all anymore unless I'm totally sitting forward and turned to the side. If I try and sit back normally I immediately get super dizzy. Again, thanks for the kind words. __________________ Benjamin is 1 year old!

01-30-07, 07:59 PM	#8
JenniferM Super Star Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 672 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Not a good day yesterday I bet this baby can't some soon enough, huh Amy?

02-01-07, 12:43 PM	#9
Katsy2 Beauty Queen Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 416 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Not a good day yesterday Oh, I am sorry..that so stinks!! :hug

02-01-07, 07:50 PM	#10
Amy&Claire Loyal Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,081 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Not a good day yesterday I went to my OB today and he was not concerned at all. He said that it's extremely common in pregnancy and it's most likely the baby pressing on major arteries. He said just to lie down on my left side and elevate my feet when it happens. He said I could continue with activities but lay down and take it easy when I need to. I googled it when I got home and there were a ton of messages on Babycenter about it saying their doctors were not concerned and said the same thing. A bunch of them said it happened while they were driving too. But I don't plan on driving. So it sounds like it's something I just have to suffer through the next couple mos. What fun!!! __________________ Benjamin is 1 year old!

02-01-07, 08:15 PM	#11
JenniferM Super Star Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 672 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Not a good day yesterday Isn't that crazy??? You would think with the potential threat, that we would have more warnings out there about this. Too bad insurance won't foot the bill for a chauffer :lol

02-05-07, 01:25 PM	#12
Kathy NY Mommy Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,766 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Not a good day yesterday I had never heard of this before. Glad it isn't anything major, but I'd be scared to drive after that incident. You're so lucky they were able to reach Mark. I keep thinking of Claire in the car and you outside - thank God you had your cell phone. Hope you don't experience anything like that ever again.