Dizziness is when you feel lightheaded, weak, off balance or as if you are about to faint.
Many pregnant women experience dizziness from time to time. It is sometimes the first sign that you are pregnant. Dizziness usually occurs between weeks 0 and 13 of pregnancy.
The main causes of dizziness during pregnancy include:
- Hormonal changes, which can cause your blood pressure to drop, causing less blood to reach your brain
- Extremely hot weather
- Low blood sugar (take a snack with you and avoid skipping meals)
- Low iron levels
- You may also experience dizziness if you lie on your back during the second and third trimesters. This is because as your uterus grows, it can put pressure on the main blood vessel leading to your heart.
What can you do to control dizziness during pregnancy?
Use these helpful tips:
- Get out of bed slowly, sitting on the edge of the bed for a minute before standing
- Avoid hot baths or showers
- Move slowly and carefully from the bath or shower
- Avoid standing for long periods of time
- Never skip meals, even if you have morning sickness, eat small amounts of food regularly
- Drink plenty of water
- Do some light physical activity regularly to improve circulation
- Avoid lying on your back, especially from the second trimester onwards.
In severe cases, contact your maternity hospital or emergency department immediately if you experience dizziness or lightheadedness and have the following symptoms:
- Bleeding from your vagina
- Abdominal pain
- Severe dizziness that doesn’t go away
- Shortness of breath or chest pain
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat
- Severe headache
- Severe blurred vision
- Being diagnosed with high blood pressure or preeclampsia
