Dizzy/nauseous on the metro

[Anonymous]

Any other people experience this? I'm 28 weeks and for the last couple weeks, I've been really struggling on the metro. I spend about 20 minutes on the train, and by the time I get to the stop or two before my stop I start to feel really sick and dizzy. I actually passed out on the metro platform around 16 weeks (ugh). Hasn't gotten that bad recently, but just really don't feel good. Any suggestions? I eat breakfast every morning, and take water and snacks on the train with me. I try and make sure I'm facing forward (I always get a seat since I get on at the end)...I just don't know if I can keep this up for 12 more weeks!

[Anonymous]

Yep. I stopped taking the metro and walked to and from work when I was pregnant for this reason. Maybe use some ginger?

[Anonymous]

I honestly couldn't do metro most of my pregnancy. I wound up driving in to work.

[Anonymous]

Assuming you're eating and hydrated, try ginger or peppermint to help with the nausea. Also, stand up more slowly than usual and otherwise avoid sudden movement. I would mention this to your OB, as well.

[Anonymous]

Same here - couldn't stand the metro when I was pregnant. Ended up getting a parking space downtown for a few months.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Oh good, I thought it was just me. I was starting to feel like I was going crazy. I somehow forgot to mention this to my OB yesterday at my appointment, but I have to call for my glucose test results anyway so I guess I'll mention it then. Anybody try the seabands and have any luck? I can't park at my work and it's like a 45 minute drive...but maybe I can get special dispensation. I definitely can't walk, unfortunately!

[Anonymous]

I've been getting a little dizzy randomly too, especially when I'm out and about and being very active- I don't even have to be on a train or in a car. I am glad it's not just me as well!

[Anonymous]

I wish they would put metro on automatic control again vs. manual. So many of these stupid drivers suck at driving metro. I normally just eat the second I get dizzy or gum.

[Anonymous]

Zofran & barf bags. I can not tell you how many times I had to step off the train to throw up during my first pregnancy. I would get off throw up in my barf bag, throw away the bag and get on the next train. I was riding from Bethesda to Dupont so walking wasn't an option and we only have one car so I couldn't drive.

[Anonymous]

Yes, this happened to me repeatedly in my first pregnancy. I would get major sweats and tunnel vision and feel like I was going to pass out.

I stopped riding the metro and drove to work.

[Anonymous]

I am not pregnant but the one on the end makes me the most carsick! The first one or two right behind the driver makes me the least carsick. Yes supposedly if there is a collision it is less safe but how often does that happen? Try moving up to the front of the train.

[Anonymous]

I had this happen to me right around the same time- it was awful! I totally feel your pain. I talked to my OB about it, and he said it happens because that's right when your uterus is reaching your diaphragm, and the pressure throws off your balance, etc. and causes the dizzy/nauseous feeling. (I had always thought that it was the inner ear, but apparently the diaphragm does it, too). I got seabands, which did help some, but, mostly it was just time that helped. By the time I was 30-32 weeks, I felt so much better, I think that my body just got used to things being squished. It was awful toughing it out for those few weeks, but I just made sure I always had a little water bottle with me and got off metro for a few minutes if it got really bad. Thank goodness it finally went away. Hang in there!

[Anonymous]

I get very nauseous on the metro even when not pregnant. I didn't even bother trying while pregnant.

I am prone to motion sickness, but have ridden pretty much every other major subway or light rail in the US and Japan without any issue. The metro sucks, I have to drive everywhere in DC.

[Anonymous]

Agree, the drivers are terrible. By 8 weeks I couldn't stand metro at all and have been driving ever since.

[Anonymous]

OP, do you notice any difference depending on what you eat? From around 24 to 28 weeks I felt dizzy on metro and off it when I didn't eat enough protein for breakfast. I almost passed out at work while talking to my boss (and I was sitting down!). It sucked. I started eating serious protein and fat for breakfast -- think quiche made with heavy cream, peanut butter, eggs with cheese etc -- and that took care of it. No idea why this should be, but it worked for me. At around 30 weeks I was able to go back to eating whatever I wanted for breakfast, which is usually more carb-heavy, and I have not had a problem on metro since.