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Dizziness during pregnancy is a common condition that most pregnant women experience. They appear most often in the first trimester and result from a sudden change in body position, which in turn is a result of the fact that a large amount of blood is circulating around the uterus. If the ailments are not accompanied by other symptoms, it should not worry the future mother.
In most cases, dizziness in pregnancy is a matter of faster blood circulation around the uterus, when the pregnant woman sits for too long or suddenly changes position, the balance may also be upset. As dizziness in pregnancy is a natural, physiological symptom, most pregnant women do not report symptoms to the attending physician.
Dizziness in pregnancy – causes
Dizziness in pregnancy most often occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy and is caused by blood circulating more quickly than usual. The reason for the drop in blood pressure is the increased production of progesterone, which causes the walls of blood vessels to relax, which causes a drop in blood pressure. It happens that the pressure drops very quickly, so you may even faint. However, you should be aware that dizziness during pregnancy is a condition that affects up to 75% of pregnant women. Therefore, dizziness in pregnancy, like nausea or vomiting, is a natural symptom of pregnancy, especially in the first trimester.
The second and third trimesters also put pressure on the blood vessels of the enlarging uterus, which can also make you feel dizzy in pregnancy. Other causes that can make you feel dizzy in pregnancy include jumping up too suddenly from sitting to standing. Dizziness may also be the result of low blood glucose levels, most often in the afternoon. Since the ailments can worsen and hinder daily functioning, regular check-ups are necessary, which can confirm, for example, iron deficiency in the blood. In case of insufficient amount of iron in the body, not only dizziness, but also excessive sleepiness, increased fatigue or impaired concentration may appear.
Frequent dizziness during pregnancy can cause great discomfort in the functioning of the pregnant woman, so you should look for solutions that will minimize the symptoms. First of all, it is necessary to inform the attending physician that the dizziness is severe. The gynecologist orders a complete blood count and should also perform a control ultrasound to exclude any abnormalities in the course of pregnancy. In case of dizziness, it is very important to calm down properly and relatively quickly. The point is not to calm down, but to prevent possible fainting and falling prophylactically. It is very important to limit sudden movements. At the moment when dizziness occurs when the pregnant woman is lying down, you have to lie on the left side – this is the position in which the heart is stimulated to additional work, oxygenation and, of course, blood supply to the brain increases.
Dizziness during pregnancy can also be caused by a lack of rest and a poor diet. It is important to drink more still water. A pregnant woman should always have a small snack and a small bottle of water with her. Systematic physical activity is no less important, if possible, it is recommended to move constantly, for example daily walks. A properly balanced diet, healthy not only for the pregnant woman, but also for the fetus is very important.