It seems to be getting worse. The world started to turn black yesterday on the way to work, about 10-15 minutes into the ride (P was driving). Luckily, I got to work shortly thereafter and quickly jumped out of the car. And it happened again today, but only 2-3 minutes in. Today, I lay the seat all the way back and turned onto my left side. It left me feeling tremendously nauseated, but eliminated the about-to-black-out feeling almost immediately.
I called the doctor after yesterday's episode. The nurse eventually got back to me. Initially, she said it was a vasovagal syncope issue, but standing should make that worse rather than better. So she spoke to the midwife, who agreed that it wasn't that, due to the standing making it better thing, and concluded that my uterus is somehow positioned in a way that is compressing my inferior vena cava when I sit in certain positions. She then said there's nothing they can do about it and I'm just going to have to learn to deal with it. Fun. Apparently, I have 3+ months of riding to work lying on my side to look forward to.
This really fucking sucks. By the time I get to work I'm unbelievably exhausted again, just from not having had proper blood flow for a few minutes on the way in. Plus, my limbs still feel cold and tingly, thirty minutes later. And I have way too much work to do (and I'm really struggling to get anything done) to be able to take a day off right now (though maybe later this week). I'm hoping that if I start out lying down in the car tomorrow, I can avoid cutting off the blood flow at all and feel a bit better. But I feel so nauseated right now (and my stomach feels really strangely full, even though all I ate was a (big) bowl of cereal -- it's really uncomfortable).
On top of it all, I had a lot of trouble sleeping last night as well. I have been sleeping exclusively on my left side for months now, but last night I felt like I was having stomach cramps all night, even though I know my stomach is much higher up in my abdomen these days so they weren't really where my stomach is anymore. I kept waking up and finding it hard to get comfortable.
Okay, I really need to stop with all the bitching and moaning.
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21 comments:
Oh, yech. I had fainting in the first trimester (but for different reasons, I think) and it was awful. I am so sorry. I don't have any advice, because mine was when I stood up. I just hope that it doesn't get any worse.
And if you haven't gotten one already, I think it's worth the money to get a pregnancy body pillow. I made do with regular body pillows and such, until my husband surprised me with the Bop.py one. It's kind of spendy, but I love mine - it's not too bulky and it's the only pillow that I have to use, it even supports my head. I won't go anywhere without it AND I take it in the car with me for long rides. It might help your voyage to work. And keep the receipt. If you don't love it, you could take it back.
holy crap - that SUCKS. I am SO sorry that you're feeling so lousy. I am definitely on the same page as far as the fact that September seems a long, long way away.
As far as the stomach pains - could that be your gall bladder? LOTS of women have problems with that during pregnancy. I'd keep pestering your midwife about every single symptom - put together they might signify something else they haven't thought of yet.
Again, I'll be praying extra for you and Lou.
You poor thing. That sounds terrible.
Here from NCLM to wish you uneventful times ahead.
Wow, your pregnancy symptoms sound like my lupus symptoms. I haven't been able to feel my limbs in about seven months, so I know how much it stinks.
I hope you feel better soon! :)
I can't believe there is nothing they can do for you! How can you suffer with this for 3 months! Brutal. I hope you can find something to help with the uncomfortbleness!
Here from NaComLeavMo
Oh boy, that certainly sucks. I'm sorry about the fainting spells. Although I've heard that they're fairly common in pregnancy, it still doesn't make it any better.
And I know what you mean about being unable to take off from work. Most days are like that for me as well, and it's difficult to get things done at the office when you're feeling so poorly (for whatever reason).
Anyway, I hope the rest of your pregnancy is a bit easier on you. In the meantime, just try to relax as much as possible.
That's awful. This is so unfair! Perhaps you should call your insurance company. Maybe they can send an ambulance to drive you to and from work and you could lie down the whole way. (Ha.)
I was going to say...maybe take the bus so you can just stand up the whole way. This is just crazy!
Oh my - I'm so sorry you're having all that trouble. I hope you find a way to get some rest!
Here from NCLM....
Bitch and moan all you need to!
Oh my...just deal with it? Wow. Please be careful. I hope it gets better for you!
1. Try sitting in the car with a pillow propping up one hip. If you're compressing your inferior vena cava, you probably don't need to lie down completely, you just need to not be "centered." Try putting a pillow under one hip, and lean your body sideways. It should take the pressure off (maybe...).
2. I'll second the suggestion of sleeping with a pregnancy pillow. It made a HUGE difference for me.
Good luck!
Oh my! So sorry you are having such a hard time getting comfortable. I always say these ar the reasons that men don't have babies. My suggestion was going to be a pg pillow too. I found them pricey though and bought two body pillows, one for each side so there was less moving around to do in the middle of the night. I have to say that I got used to sleeping wrapped around it and a year later I still sleep with it! I also bought a memory foam mattress pad. It is only barely and inch thick and makes such a difference! It made the pressure on my shoulders and hips so much better at night. Sorry,I don't have any suggestions for the drive. NCLM
That sounds incredibly scary! And not knowing when it's going to happen has got to be stressful. I hope the baby shifts position or something that might help relieve these symptoms.
Hang in there. And whine all you like!
(Visiting from NCLM)
One of my best friends is going through the same thing in her pregnancy. Except the first time she blacked out she was driving and scrapped up one side of her truck on a cement barrier. It scared her pretty badly, and she has to drive herself to work every day.
Thanks for stopping by my blog - yours is wonderful and heartfelt congrats on your current pregnancy!!
Bitch and moan all you like!
I'm sending pain-free and positive thoughts your way!
That sounds so scary! I can't believe there is nothing they can do to help. I hope it gets better soon so your commute to work can get back to normal!
Oh, yikes on the fainting! That doesn't sound good at all, and it sucks that the docs all say that there's nothing that they can do.
I hope it gets better, the baby moves and relieves the pressure so that you can sleep, and breathe better.
Wow! That sounds really scary. That really sucks that they can't do anything about it. I hope that it gets better soon!
(Here from NCLM)
I agree with the midwife from what you're describing,
bitch and moan away, though! Pregnancy is physically tough.
J
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