Dizziness in Pregnancy (Causes, Prevention, Alarm)
Some ladies may experience dizziness in pregnancy due to a couple of reasons. If you feel dizzy, you should find the reason and follow doctors’ guidelines to control it. You do not need to be worried about dizziness because some tips can help you eliminate this problem.
In this article on Hipregnancy, we will discuss dizziness in pregnancy, its causes, and the simple ways to control it. Read this article until the end to find out what to do when you feel dizzy!
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Is it common to experience dizziness in pregnancy?
Pregnant ladies often experience dizziness in pregnancy first trimester, second, and trimesters, which can suffer in severe cases. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and other things, like low blood pressure, morning sickness, anemia, and dehydration, are the main causes of dizziness in pregnancy.
You might have this question in mind; “when should I be worried about dizziness during pregnancy?” Let’s continue to answer your question.
If you are often dizzy while pregnant or suffer from severe dizziness, you should visit your doctor to be treated. But, light dizziness doesn’t need to be taken seriously and can be controlled by some general guidelines, including drinking plenty of fluids.
Usually, this issue is mild and can be controlled, but those who suffer from severe cases should make an appointment with a doctor or healthcare provider as soon as possible.
In other words, you should not think your dizziness is a sign of pregnancy and shouldn’t be taken seriously.
If you are ready, let’s continue with the cause of dizziness in each trimester first and then learn more about controlling dizziness in pregnancy.
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Dizziness in early pregnancy
You might experience dizziness in pregnancy in the first trimester, but is dizziness bad during early pregnancy? No, it is normal to feel dizzy during the first trimester of pregnancy.
What causes it? Several factors may lead to dizziness in early pregnancy, including;
- Hyperemesis gravidarum
Hyperemesis gravidarum is a condition where you experience extreme nausea and vomiting. This condition occurs due to hormonal changes in the early stages of pregnancy and might continue until the end of your pregnancy period.
Those ladies who suffer from extreme nausea and vomiting can’t eat enough food and lose water; this can result in dehydration, dizziness, and weight loss. You should consult a doctor to eliminate hyperemesis gravidarum. You might need a particular diet or medication and need to be hospitalized and monitored.
- Hormonal changes and low blood pressure
One of the common causes of dizziness in pregnancy is hormonal changes that might increase blood flow and change blood pressure. You might experience low blood pressure or hypotension, which can cause dizziness in early pregnancy.
You don’t need to be worried about low blood pressure during pregnancy as it will normalize after pregnancy.
- Ectopic pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy can make you feel dizzy, but what is ectopic pregnancy? Such a condition happens when a fertilized egg implants itself in your reproductive system outside the uterus. Ectopic pregnancy usually is followed by dizziness, vaginal bleeding, and abdomen pain.
Since this pregnancy isn’t viable, the fertilized egg must be removed. Your doctor performs a procedure or prescribes medication to remove the fertilized egg.
Consider that anemia and dehydration might also cause dizziness in early pregnancy. Moreover, these two factors can make you feel dizzy in the second and third trimesters.
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Dizziness in pregnancy second trimester
High blood pressure, hyperemesis gravidarum, anemia, and dehydration might cause dizziness in pregnancy 2nd trimester, but this is not the end of the story. 2 more reasons can cause dizziness during pregnancy second trimester, including;
- Gestational diabetes
Pregnant ladies with gestational diabetes may experience dizziness if their blood sugar levels decrease. They should monitor their blood sugar regularly to prevent such a condition.
It is good to know that you should be tested for gestational diabetes. This test should be done between weeks 24 and 28 of your pregnancy, and it can help your doctor determine whether you have gestational diabetes and need to follow a particular diet.
- Pressure from the uterus on blood vessels
Dizziness in pregnancy can result from pressure from the growing uterus on your blood vessels. In addition, if you lay on your back, the uterus blocks blood flow to your heart and causes dizziness during pregnancy. Here, dizziness in pregnancy treatment is to lay down on your side, not your back.
Dizziness in pregnancy third trimester
Many of the reasons resulting in dizziness in pregnancy first and second trimesters may carry over to the third trimester, including;
- Anemia
- Dehydration
- Low blood pressure
- Gestational diabetes
- Pressure on the vena cava
Several ways can help you manage dizziness in pregnancy. Visiting your doctor regularly during the third trimester of pregnancy is recommended to check whether a serious condition makes you feel dizzy.
Now you know what dizziness in pregnancy causes, it’s s time to learn how to help with dizziness in early pregnancy or other stages. Keep reading to learn new tips in the following part.
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How to stop dizziness in pregnancy?
Although everyone may experience dizziness while pregnant, some precautions should be taken to prevent a risk of injuries, especially falling, due to dizziness. So, what can you do for dizziness during pregnancy?
Here are some useful strategies and self-care steps that can help you prevent or stop dizziness in pregnancy;
- Standing up slowly from different positions, such as sitting or lying, with the help of something stable to support
- Avoid standing or sitting for too long and change your positions
- Drinking plenty of water and other fluids
- Having regular meals, including foods with high nutritional values
- Avoid extreme heat, especially hot showers
- Lying down on one side, or sitting down, breathe deeply while bending over to increase blood flow
- Exercising regularly, especially walking
- Avoid lying on the back in the second and third trimesters
- Wear comfortable and breathable clothing
The above strategies are easy, but they are really helpful. If you don’t want to feel dizzy or lightheaded, follow the Hipregnancy teams’ guidelines to see how your dizziness can be controlled easily, without any concerns.
When to see a doctor for dizziness during pregnancy?
You don’t need to take a little dizziness seriously because feeling lightheaded is not cause for alarm and does not put you at risk. But, if you experience frequent bouts of dizziness, you should visit your healthcare provider, especially when you have the following symptoms;
- Severe and unbearable headaches
- Impaired speech
- Chest pain
- Blurred vision
- Numbness
- Shortness of breath
- Vaginal bleeding
- Palpitations
- Tingling
Remember that you can make an appointment with your doctor anytime when you face problems or for consulting. So, you are the only one who can decide when to go to a doctor. But based on our investigations and research on Hipregnancy, you should not be worried about mild cases of dizziness in pregnancy.
Conclusion
Dizziness is common among pregnant ladies, and different factors can cause such a condition throughout pregnancy. Hormonal changes or hunger are common reasons for dizziness in early pregnancy 1 week, and pressure from the uterus on the blood vessels are reasons for dizziness in pregnancy second and third trimesters.
We provided you with some easy strategies to control your dizziness. Don’t forget that you should not ignore recurrent and severe dizziness during pregnancy and should visit a doctor for help.
Do you have any experience with dizziness while pregnant? How did you control it? Tell other pregnant ladies and us your experience to eliminate feeling dizzy!
FAQs
1. Is dizziness a symptom of pregnancy?
Feeling dizzy is a symptom of pregnancy, which happens to most pregnant ladies. Dizziness is more frequent at the early stages of pregnancy but can be easily controlled.
2. Can pregnancy cause dizziness?
Most of the time, pregnancy is followed by dizziness and lightheadedness.
3. What month of pregnancy does dizziness start?
Dizziness may start in early pregnancy and the first few weeks of the second trimester.
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