oxygen..help!

[ldubz911]

Was at the doctors the other day my anxiety was pretty high and i felt a panic attack on the way. They took my O2 levels and ot was at 94%...whitch caused me to freak out terribly. They didnt seem to alarmed...but what would cause a slightly low reading? I was not wearing nailpolish or anything. I was short of breath but mainly from anxiety...i got beat red in the face and felt like fainting. Im only 19 and 29 weeks pregnant. Someone ease my mind! I think i am going to buy a pulse ox for home. Im to scared to go back to the dr to recheck it! :( is this to low of a reading?

[nursegirl6572]

Here's the thread from the other day about the same incident:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Anxiety/should-i-freak-out/show/1797581#post_8276544

Several of us have told you there is NOTHING to worry about.  Your doctor would have reacted if it was a concern.  Pulse oximetry is not a perfect science, and especially being pregnant, it will vary.  Anxiety will also affect the levels.

Greenlydia is right, do NOT buy a home pulse ox machine.  You will become obsessed, and every reading that is slightly lower than you would like to see will spiral you right into anxiety.

Put this behind you, you seriously have nothing to worry about.

[ldubz911]

It was a cardiologist. I asked him if it was low and he kinda brushed it to the side and told me to see my regular doctor or my obgyn. He got an ekg and sent me on my way. Didnt recheck it or anything. He was veryyy short with me and kinda an *******. :/ they left me in the room for an hour while i was having a panic attack for him to come in and say well its not ur heart...go see ur regular doctor...bye! I felt very un sure about everything. I asked him twice about my O2 and he said he didnt know why it was 94. Geez doctors these days can be mean! Im scared to go back!

[RubyWitch]

If your O2 sats were at 94%, considering you were on the verge of a panic attack, that reading is quite good.
Did they retake it after you had calmed down? Did they have you do some deep breathing and then take it again?
Shortness of breath is a classic symptom of anxiety and panic.
If your doctor is aware of your anxiety, he should have explained all of this to you before you left his office.
Since you are already freaked out about your O2 stats, I personally think buying a pulse ox for home may be a huge mistake. You will begin to breath more shallow breaths as you think about taking a reading. The oxygen in your blood gets out of balance with the carbon dioxide and your reading will reflect that as low oxygen levels. Why put yourself through that? If your doctor was concerned, he would address the problem. He isn't. And his concern is not just for you but the baby inside your belly. Your sats are fine and are not harming the baby. Constant anxiety, on the other hand...........I don't think THAT is so great for the baby.
Disuss all this with your doctor so you can enjoy your pregnancy and look forward with joy and peace of mind to the arrival of your baby.
Peace
Greenlydia