low blood pressure/blood sugar?

This morning I had a really scary episode where I couldnt breathe too well, my chest felt tight and I felt quite faint and a bit sick. My mum wanted me to call my midwife but I wanted to wait and see if I came right.
I have very low iron, my stores are below 5 but Im taking spatone iron stuff for that until I see my MW on thursday where she will give me a script for proper iron stuff.

However, I think it might have been to do with my blood pressure or blood sugar levels? I took one of those iron melts and had my iron stuff in a glass of pure oranage juice and Im coming right now...but if it comes back Im going to ring my midwife.
I still feel a bit breathless and funny, but I think thats just the stage of pregnany Im at, Im feeling very compacted these days!

Anyone else had this, and was it your blood pressure or bloos sugar levels, and do you think I should ring my midwife anyway?

Edited by Sheza

Hey Sheena,

I had low blood pressure and low blood sugar throughout my pregnancy, and it was something that I had to keep an eye on, as I had a tendency to faint or get quite dizzy.

In terms of iron supplementation, my iron levels were fine, but I took Thompsons Organic Iron tablets, as it doesn't cause constipation like the iron tablets they prescribe. The Spatone stuff is good, but is expensive. My midwife said that the iron in Spatone is more absorbed by the body than other iron tablets, but cost is a big factor in not using it. The Thompsons is the next best thing.

In terms of sugar levels, just try to snack on something every hour so your blood sugar levels do not decrease that much and to stabilise insulin levels in your body. Dried apricots are a good source of iron, or almonds which are a good source of calcium. The combination of fats and protein in almonds will help stabilise blood sugar levels.

I would call your midwife, just be safe. I had to walk a lot when I was pregnant to keep my blood pressure up, but had to stop at 35 weeks as I had my show early on and she was worried I may go into labour before my c-section.

Hey sheena, in regards to feeling breathless, I had this throughout my last 2 pregnancies.  But it would be wise to let you MW know, even if it doesn't happen again.

 

And with your low iron, my Dr suggested when mine was only about 8 to get iron injections.  I can't swallow pills and the liquid iron never got my stores up enough.  With iron injections, the iron goes straight into your blood system so you don't have to worry about your diet and make sure you're eating so much Vit C.  My stores have come up a great amount now, and I'm so glad as with now being pg it's very important to have good levels.  Thought I'd let you know that that may be an option for you to get your iron up, cos your stores are too low.

Honestly, I don't find them that bad at all.  With having been through birth, needles and epidurals - this quick injection is nothing!  It does depend how good the nurse is, or where exactly they put it in, and it may feel bruised for maybe 5 mins afterwards, but I think it's nothing really.  Think about it anyway, it's just another option.  One I've found has been great in getting my iron up without having to take pills everyday!

Hey Sheena, I get this (mostly when not pregnant lol) and it's a combo of low blood sugars and low blood pressure for me. At last check my BP was 100/50 which is good cos last time it had started rising quite a bit.

But anyway... it's important to keep your fluids up as it can also be a sign of dehydration. I also have a wee supply of jellybeans (always have) in my car for if I start feeling funny to give me a bit of a kick.

Hope it hasn't happened again! I had it happen at work yesterday which was a bit scary cos I work in a room with noone else and I don't think I would have been found for a good hour or so if I'd have fainted