If you are a cine buff, you’d know the first sign of pregnancy is usually a woman fainting amidst some function while the beau and the others rush to help her, and whoa! The pregnancy announcement is made! Are fainting and dizziness during pregnancy common?
Yes, it is common to feel lightheaded or dizzy during pregnancy, and sometimes mommies-to-be can feel like they are about to faint (which sometimes they do!). This is a fairly common symptom, and some simple steps can help you deal with this pregnancy condition (like so many others) fairly easily.
In This Article
- What Causes Fainting And Dizziness During Pregnancy?
- How Can I Prevent Fainting And Dizziness During Pregnancy?
- What Should I Do If I Feel Faint During Pregnancy?
- When Should I Call My Doctor?
- FAQ’s
What Causes Fainting And Dizziness During Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, dizziness and fainting are frequent experiences. It’s not necessarily a red flag. There could be a number of causes of dizziness:
1. Pregnancy Hormones
Pregnancy hormones make your cardiovascular system go through some major upheavals, for now, it is meeting the needs of two instead of one body. The heart rate goes up, the blood amount increases and the dear heart works harder in pumping more blood per second.
2. Lying On Your Back
Lightheadedness is largely attributed to the fact that the heart is not producing enough blood to meet the needs. Moreover, the growing uterus also exerts some pressure on the blood vessels, the vena cava particularly, especially when you lie on your back.
3. Low Blood Pressure
Plus, the pregnancy hormone progesterone can relax your blood vessels, so as to increase the blood supply to the developing fetus, but decrease it to you, thus making your blood pressure come down. This can cause some cuts in the blood flow to the brain, thus making your head spin and leaving you dizzy.
4. Low Blood Sugar
The drop in blood sugar levels or dehydration can also make you feel like the world is going round and round.
5. Overheating
Now that you are pregnant, your body would be producing quite a good amount of heat, so avoid sitting for long hours in a stuffy room, with little or no ventilation
6. Anemia
Iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy can make fewer blood cells available to carry blood to your brain, especially during the second and third trimesters. Your doctor could prescribe an iron supplement and an iron-rich diet for this.
7. Going Hungry
If you go long intervals between food and drinks, your blood sugar levels can get lower and you could feel dizzy and faint. Keep up with your body’s needs by eating small meals at frequent intervals and keeping yourself well-hydrated.
8. Vasovagal Syncope
Vasovagal syncope is when you faint as a result of your body’s exaggerated response to specific stimuli, such as exertion, stress, prolonged periods of standing, exposure to heat, or the sight of blood.This condition can make your blood pressure fall when you cough, pee or have a bowel movement. Dehydration can make the matters worse
9. Hyperventilation
If you are a great fan of exercising, you should take care not to overdo it. Straining yourself, and over-exercising can cause you to hyperventilate and feel like you are fainting. Anxiety can also have the same effect. Read when not to exercise in pregnancy
10. Not Dressing Right
Lastly, if you are a fan of tight clothes, you may need to loosen up a bit!
How Can I Prevent Fainting And Dizziness During Pregnancy?
If at any point you feel dizzy during your pregnancy, you should lie down, first and fore mostly. Lying down on your side will not press venacava, and hence the blood supply to your brain and body would increase. This will help in keeping you from fainting. If you cannot lie down, at least sit-down, holding something. This will prevent any risk of injury that can happen if you fall down.
- Avoid standing for long durations makes the blood pool in your feet and legs. When you continue to stand for longer periods, the blood supply to your brain and heart could become low making you feel dizzy. If you have to, keep moving your feet so that the blood circulation is not impacted.
- Do not stand too fast either, for the same reason. Your body may not be able to adjust so quickly and not pump enough blood to the heart and the brain. If you are lying down, take some time to sit and then stand up slowly
- Make sure you are eating enough healthy food at frequent intervals to avoid your blood sugar levels from dropping. Snacking throughout the day will be beneficial.
- Have enough fluids, and at least 8 glasses of water (no caffeine and aerated drinks though). Keeping yourself well-hydrated will ensure that dehydration does not bother you. If the weather is hot or you are exercising, fill up more
- Dress in layers so that you can take them off if you feel overheated. Avoid overcrowded places and stuffy rooms.
- Get some air regularly. Take a small walk outside every few hours, which will also help to relieve pregnancy constipation and edema.
What Should I Do If I Feel Faint During Pregnancy?
If you feel dizzy and faint at any point during your pregnancy, you should:
- Sit or lie down. If possible, try placing your head between your knees
- Take long and deep breaths, making oxygen reach your internal body parts
- Make loose the tight-fitting clothes, scarves, and hats
- Open windows and let some airflow in
- Eat an iron-rich diet
When Should I Call My Doctor?
If you feel dizzy and also notice vaginal bleeding and/or pain in your abdomen, you must call your doctor immediately. These symptoms could be indicative of an ectopic pregnancy or placental abruption, both of which require immediate medical attention.
FAQs
1. Is Dizziness A Symptom Of Preeclampsia?
Dizziness and headache are signs of preeclampsia that have progressed to a more serious stage. Another symptom of preeclampsia is the sudden enlargement of the face, hands, and feet.
2. Is Dizziness A Symptom Of Gestational Diabetes?
Insulin production is disrupted during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. If your blood sugar drops too low, you may feel faint from gestational diabetes.
