Could Fainting Often Lead to a Miscarriage?

Updated on April 30, 2010
V.W. asks from Rush City, MN
12 answers

I'm 14 weeks pregnant and so far during my pregnancy I have fainted 3 times. My doctor can't find the cause for my fainting. I drink plenty of water, and I eat enough food. I have enough sugar in my system. All my blood levels look fine. I'm not anemic. They just don't know what's causing it. Every time I faint I'm at work. I work as a cashier and have to stand for long periods of time. My doctor suggested asking for a stool or chair to sit on while at the register. So hopefully that will help.

Could all of this fainting lead to a miscarriage? I really don't want to lose this baby.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thanks for the help! :)

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.G.

answers from Kansas City on

Baby is in there good and tight and very well protected. Thankfully when you are falling you are not standing on anything higher than your shoes. I would say the bigger concern is why are you fainting? Be sure not to lock your knees while you are standing and working. Make sure you are moving from side to side and switching your position frequently.

Good Luck, M.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from Lincoln on

My daughter is three and I had this problem during my entire first trimester. One time I fainted at the communion rail at church; very embarrassing but it did not cause any problems with my pregnancy. I would black and and faint when I stood up too quickly or kept going from a standing to sitting position.
I am now 12 weeks pregnant and often black out but have not yet fainted.
I am willing to bet you are fine. Pregnancy does strange things to your body so I just hope you're able to take it easy and enjoy the next six months!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

my answer is a question... How is your blood pressure? With all of my pregnancies my blood pressure tended to drop causing fainting lightheadedness and dizziness. My dr. never mentioned any risk other than the risk of hurting myself when "the lights went out" We never managed to find a way to really stop it. I just had to learn how to manage it. I would suggest making sure that your blood pressure is ok. And a heads up. My blood pressure was a bit low but normal most times. It was just suddenly dropping and that is when I would go down. We only caught it when it happened in the drs office. Other than that they just said it was pretty low.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.R.

answers from Lakeland on

First off Congrats! I'm 14wks too! (this is my 4th though) This is pretty common and not something to worry about if your blood work is fine it just means your body is sensitive!
It could be from heat. I faint every time there are too many people around me - their body heat makes my body temp rise and I faint ---- I now know when I get that clammy feeling that I need to coool down immediately! It also happens if I stay in the sun too long or if I go from extreme cold to heat - like going from a mall to the FL sun ;)

Don't worry fainting is something that we don't really consider normal anymore but it is truly a natural part of our rapidly changing body. Our heart has to work twice as hard and we produce more blood during pregnancy than any other time! And now, especially that the baby has it's foundations laid, it's working on expanding ;) So we're tired faint easily, get huge headaches, tweeks and stabbing pains as the tendons stretch and our muscles separate to accommodate the new life!

Try deep slow breathing - envision your lungs and heart only. your lungs fill with air steadily and completely and release the air smoothly, slowly. Your heart beats a steady thump thump thump, timing the rhythm of your breath.

close your eyes and try to visualize that. it helps alot. well at least for me ;)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.J.

answers from Minneapolis on

My cousin has some issues with this and was even put on a heart monitor to wear all day for a few weeks. Turns out she did not have enough salt (sodium) in her system. Odd for sure but it took a long time to find that out. She now puts salt on till it taste good and then is suppose to add more...lol. Just throwing this out there as an option to have checked.

I wouldn't worry about it causing a miscarriage, I would worry more about what it is doing to your body. But fainting is also a common symptom of pregnancy with or without a known diagnosis.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.L.

answers from Dubuque on

I would keep a diary of your days - especially the type of food you are eating and also how long you were standing before you fainted;
Fainting can be caused by 'hidden' allergies/sensitivities - either in food, environmental or personal care products.
L. L
Certified Nutrition Consultant
http://helpfromlinda.com

K.C.

answers from Davenport on

I think your doctors suggestion of a chair or stool while at work is an excellent idea. When I was in the military, we were often told that while standing at attention, we were not to lock our knees, but to keep our legs slightly bent to prevent fainting because in locking your knees, it stops blood flow to the lower legs, which causes your blood to back up which eventually causes you to faint. Maybe with being pg you have started to lock your knees to adjust for the different distribution of weight, or in preparation for it?

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.N.

answers from Minneapolis on

You have a way increased blood flow when you are preganant. There is a vein that runs up the back of you legs (I can't recall it's name) that if you pinch or squeeze it unintentionally, can lower your bloodflow to your brain and cause you to faint. I nearly fainted several times when I was pregnant. Each time it was in direct relation to how I was sitting. Once I was on the edge of a wood barstool (you know.. just kind of sitting so that the seat was just under where your tush meets the top of your leg) another time I was on a metal folding chair (hard surface) and the third was also when I was sitting on the edge of something. So, it's common. If you go with a stool at work, make sure you sit on it fully.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.P.

answers from Boise on

I haven't heard of fainting itself leading to a miscarriage, but make sure that you call your doctor after each spell, and get checked more often if needed. The chair is a good idea.

I did have a couple whoozy spells, and they checked my blood pressure each time, but it was great. It doesn't necessary mean something is wrong, but it could, so they need to watch it.

btw, I am 9 days from baby, and everything else has been great with the pregnancy.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

i went thru this also when i was preg with my daughter-its creepy i know-dr.said it was just from hormone changes and not to be alarmed-but he suggested i do the following-sit down and put your head down between your legs-get blood back to your brain-and then when possible-lay flat an prop your legs up-get the blood flow back upwards-i was a chef-almost lost my job-high risk to pass out with a 10 inch chef knife in your had-or other hazerdous stuff.good luck

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.J.

answers from Rochester on

I am a fainter all the time. If you feel it coming on drop something and pick it up (when you do this paus a little so you have your head down for a while. This will stop you from fainting. I personaly think it is your bodys way of saying slow down! Yes ask for a stool to sit down, also try to constantly eat something (suck on candy or keep snacks in your pocket). When you get home most inportantly make sure your husband or boyfirend or whoever can take care of you helps out a lot around the house and lets you rest. When I was prego with my first my husband was in England with the army, so I moved in with my mom so she could make dinner for me and help me out. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Redding on

I don't think you have to worry about fainting causing a miscarriage. But pregnancy certainly can cause fainting.
I fainted with my first baby. I was healthy and so was she, but if I stood up too fast or stood for too long, I started getting whoozey and had to get down before I fell down.
I think your doctor is right in suggesting a stool for you to sit on. I really think that will help. If you start to feel like you might faint, have a few saltine crackers and some water. Put a cold rag or paper towel on the back of your neck.
And, to let you know, my dizziness and fainting completely disappeared by my 3rd trimester.
We used to go to a Veteran's Day ceremony every year at the local cemetery. They had representatives from all branches of the service there, in uniform, holding their flags throughout the speeches, etc. Every single year one of the men fainted. It was from standing there at attention with their knees locked for so long. Some water to drink, some cool water on their face and a few bits to eat and they were fine to finish the ceremony.
But I'm not kidding you....every single year.
Alternating sitting and standing at work is a really good idea for you.

Take care of yourself. All your blood work is good so you're doing a great job. I really think the fainting will pass. It did for me and fainting didn't harm my baby at all.

Best wishes!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions