Dizziness during pregnancy

Dizziness or weakness are normal symptoms during pregnancy. This is most common in the first trimester, but you may experience it throughout your pregnancy.

What causes dizziness during pregnancy?

The main cause of dizziness during pregnancy has to do with rising levels of hormones that cause your blood vessels to relax and dilate. This helps increase blood flow to the baby, but slows the return of blood through the veins to you. This results in lower than normal blood pressure, which can reduce blood flow to your brain, temporarily making you dizzy.

Dizziness is also caused by low blood sugar, which can occur as your body adjusts to changes in your metabolism. Women who suffer from anemia or varicose veins may be more prone to dizziness than others. In the second trimester, dizziness can be caused by the growing uterus putting pressure on the blood vessels.

Dizziness can also occur later in pregnancy if you lie on your back, allowing the baby's weight to press against your vena cava (the large vein that carries blood from the lower body to the heart).

How can I prevent dizziness during pregnancy?

There are some tips you can follow to reduce the frequency of dizziness during pregnancy.

Here are some helpful tips to reduce dizziness:

Avoid standing for long periods. If you must stand, make sure that you keep your feet moving to help increase circulation
Get up slowly from either sitting or lying down (this is especially important when you are getting out of the bath)
Eat regularly. Avoid long periods between meals; it is better to snack throughout the day
Avoid hot baths or showers
Avoid lying on your back once you reach the middle of your second trimester
Wear loose, comfortable clothing to avoid restricting circulation

What to do if you feel weak during pregnancy?

There are several steps you can take to ease the feeling that you are about to pass out. Fainting often happens during pregnancy, so be careful.

Here are some helpful tips:

Avoid getting up quickly after sitting or lying down. It is a common cause of dizziness, dizziness, and fainting.

If you're not feeling well, try the following:

sit or lie down and lower your head
take deep breaths
loosen any tight clothing
open windows and move towards circulating air
eat foods rich in iron

When to see a doctor

You should contact your doctor immediately if dizziness is accompanied by vaginal bleeding and/or abdominal pain. This may be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy, low placenta, or placental abruption.

You should also contact your doctor immediately if you experience persistent dizziness or dizziness accompanied by blurred vision, headache, or heart palpitations. This could be a symptom of severe anemia or another condition that could negatively affect your pregnancy.