Helpful Suggestions to Manage Your Dizziness During Pregnancy
Dizziness or feeling faint are quite common during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester.
Causes
During early pregnancy, the elevated pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes and widens the blood vessels, which in turn lowers blood pressure.
Low blood pressure reduces the blood flow to the brain causing dizziness.
Dizziness can also be caused by low blood sugar and anemia. Normal Normal Hypoglycemia Anemic
Expectant mothers with varicose veins are more prone to dizziness.
In later stages of pregnancy, dizziness occurs due to the pressure of the growing uterus on the blood vessels. Inferior vena cava In the supine posture (laying on your back), the enlarged uterus compress the vena cava (the largest vein that carries blood from your lower and middle body to your heart) and obstructs the blood flow, which in turn can cause dizziness.
Suggestions to Manage your Dizziness
Avoid prolonged standing. Stand up slowly from sitting/lying position.
Don t leave a huge gap between meals. Eat smaller meals throughout the day. Drink plenty of fluids.
Once you reach the halfway point in the pregnancy, avoid lying on your back. Wear soft and comfortable clothes which do not confine the blood circulation.
If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down and lower your head to increase the blood flow to your brain.
Contact your doctor if the dizziness is persistent, or if it is accompanied by Abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding. Headache Blurred vision