Just weeks short of delivery, a heavily pregnant Nicole Richie was rushed to the hospital last week after she became dizzy and disorientated following a Christmas celebration.

“Her heart was racing – she was swearing and had the terrifying feeling the world was crashing in on her. She was scared to death that her baby’s health was in jeopardy. Thank God Joel was there to take care of her. He immediately called their doctor to say he would bring her in,” an insider reveals to Star Magazine.

Doctors told Nicole to slow down and rest ahead of the upcoming birth.

“She’s been going at a frantic pace for months. Her body let her know it was time to slow down and make the baby’s health her top priority.”