Fainting under 20 weeks
Pregnant women can often feel faint. This is due to hormonal changes. Fainting happens if your brain is not getting enough blood and, therefore, not enough oxygen.
You are most likely to feel faint if you stand up too quickly from a chair or when getting out of a hot bath, but later on in your pregnancy it can also happen when you are lying on your back.
When you collapse to the ground, your head and heart are on the same level. This means your heart doesn't have to work as hard to push blood up to your brain. You should return to consciousness after about 20 seconds. Fainting is not usually a cause for concern; however see below for advice about when you should seek advice.
You may experience the following symptoms just before fainting:
Advice for those around you:
If they have not come round after 1 minute put them in the recovery position (see diagram) and call 999. Ensure they are not lying on their back.
Call 999 for the pregnant women if they have any of the following:
They have not come round after 1 minute put them in the recovery position (see diagram) and call 999.
They are having any fits or jerking movements
They have seriously injured themselves when falling
Contact the GP surgery or NHS 111 out of hours for advice if you have any of the following:
Are taking medications for your blood pressure
Have hit your head when falling
If this is your first episode of fainting
After fainting, it is normal to feel confused and weak for about 20-30 minutes. You may also feel tired and not be able to remember what you were doing just before you fainted. You may need to rest or ask someone to drive you home
Discuss this with your midwife at your next appointment
Click here for more information
Avoiding feeling faint
Here are some tips to help avoid feeling faint:
• Try to get up slowly after sitting or lying down
• Eat small regular meals and drink plenty of water (6-8 medium glasses or 1.6L throughout the day)
• If you feel faint when standing still, find a seat quickly and the faintness should pass – if it doesn't, lie down on your side
• If you feel faint while lying on your back, turn onto your side.
It's better not to lie flat on your back in later pregnancy or during labour. The weight of your baby, uterus (womb), amniotic fluid and placenta can press on the main blood vessels that run down your back and can reduce the amount of blood returning to your heart.
