Dizziness during pregnancy: is it normal?

Why does dizziness occur during pregnancy?

In addition to changes in the body, there may be other causes of dizziness.

The most common:

• rapid change of body position or turn of the head;
• motion sickness in transport;
• being at a significant altitude;
• lack of fresh air in the room;
• heat - both outside and in the room;
• decreased blood sugar levels due to a long break between meals or constant consumption of low-calorie foods;
• toxicosis, especially in the 1st trimester;
• changes in weather and atmospheric pressure;
• when the expectant mother stands on her feet for a long time or does not change her position.

There are a number of factors that can confidently predict dizziness in an upcoming pregnancy. As a rule, they are associated with diseases the woman has suffered, such as:

• diabetes;
• anemia;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• micro-strokes;
• initial stage of multiple sclerosis;
• cervical osteochondrosis;
• brain tumors;
• problems of the vestibular apparatus;
• inflammation of the inner ear;
• weather sensitivity;
• vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• head injuries;
• epilepsy;
• increased intracranial pressure.

All these conditions and diseases are accompanied by dizziness. If a pregnant woman does not have the above reasons, then dizziness is a consequence of pregnancy. And here it is important to know the reasons for this condition, which depend on the duration of pregnancy.

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Changes in the body in the second trimester of pregnancy

The second trimester according to the obstetric calendar begins at week 13 and continues until week 26. Physiological changes in the female body are manifested:

1. Increased breast volume. The reason for this restructuring is the intensive production of sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone) in the 2nd trimester. The pain that occurred at the beginning of pregnancy disappears. Increased sensitivity of the nipples appears.
2. False contractions. Weak in intensity, short-lived cramp-like sensations are training the uterus before childbirth. If they become more frequent and painful, contact your supervising obstetrician-gynecologist.
3. Rounded belly. The baby’s weight increases, the uterus, and therefore the abdomen, grows. The gained kilograms reduce a woman’s mobility. Actions that were previously easy to perform now require effort.
4. Change in skin color. Active subcutaneous microcirculation provokes a change in shade. It becomes darker, which is most noticeable around the nipples, in separate areas on the face, and linearly on the stomach. Prolonged sun exposure aggravates the situation, so it is recommended to use sunscreen.
5. Stretch marks. A growing belly, enlarged breasts, and weight gain lead to stretching of the skin and the appearance of pink stripes. Another reason is progesterone, which blocks collagen synthesis. The dermis loses moisture and is more easily injured.
6. Deterioration of nasal breathing, increased bleeding of gums. Increased blood flow thickens the mucous membranes of the nasal passages, causing snoring. Your gums become sensitive, so it is recommended to use a soft toothbrush.

Interesting: Why do you get dizzy during pregnancy?

Causes of dizziness during pregnancy by trimester

At any time, if dizziness is short-lived and rare, then you should not worry.

1st trimester

In the early stages of pregnancy, the main cause of dizziness is the body’s adaptation to the changes occurring in it. In addition, there is intense hormonal changes, which can also cause dizziness.

Causes of dizziness:

• being in a stuffy, hot room;
• travel in transport;
• sudden change in body position.

Often dizzy due to toxicosis in the early stages of pregnancy.

Dizziness in the 1st trimester, as a rule, does not require treatment, but you should definitely inform your doctor about it.

If in the 1st trimester dizziness is pronounced, occurs frequently and is accompanied by weakness, abdominal pain and bleeding - go to the hospital immediately! Perhaps these are signs of a threatened miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy!

2nd trimester

The body went through an adaptation period and adapted to the new state. But the uterus still continues to grow and is already beginning to put pressure on the arterial vessels and nearby organs. This can cause dizziness in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy.

Other causes of dizziness:

• long periods of inactivity (hypodynamia);
• long stay in a stuffy or hot room;
• oxygen starvation (during this period of pregnancy, the blood flow of the uterus is already 1/3 of the total blood circulation, because of this, some organs, including the brain, may lack oxygen);
• a sharp drop in pressure;
• increased intracranial pressure;
• anemia (low level of hemoglobin in the blood);
• gestational diabetes (the pancreas of the expectant mother cannot cope with increased insulin production, the disease goes away after childbirth).

If you experience constant dizziness in the 2nd trimester, especially at week 24, be sure to tell your doctor about it.

3rd trimester

In late pregnancy, in the absence of any diseases, the main cause of dizziness may be sleeping or resting in the wrong position. From the 27th week you can only lie on your side. When lying on your back, the significantly enlarged uterus compresses the general blood flow, which can lead to dizziness.

And although dizziness in the last trimester is quite common, its duration should not exceed 30 minutes.

Other reasons:

• the expectant mother stands on her feet for a long time;
• walks a lot;
• blood sugar levels decreased.

After the 38th week, the body begins to prepare for childbirth, there is a flow of blood to the pelvic organs, which, in turn, can also cause dizziness.

If your eyes become dark and your blood pressure rises during dizziness, this is a sign of impending fainting! We need to go to the hospital urgently!

When dizziness is a problem for a pregnant woman

You should see a doctor immediately if dizziness is accompanied by vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain. This could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy, a low-lying uterus, or placental abruption. Persistent dizziness accompanied by blurred vision, headache, or rapid heartbeat are symptoms of severe anemia or another condition that negatively affects pregnancy. This disease also needs to be treated urgently.

If you experience frequent dizziness during pregnancy, to find out the cause, you need to contact a gynecologist who is managing the pregnancy and take the necessary treatment. If this condition is left without medical attention and treatment, the risk of premature birth or miscarriage increases.

How does dizziness manifest?

Dizziness is an insecure feeling of oneself and a feeling of instability of one’s own body, when it seems that everything around is moving, floating in a circle, balance is lost, the floor disappears from under one’s feet.

Manifestations of dizziness:

• weakness;
• it gets dark in the eyes;
• nausea;
• noise and/or ringing in the ears;
• fingers and toes go numb;
• feeling of coolness throughout the body;
• impaired coordination of movements.

If dizziness is accompanied by weakness, tinnitus and nausea, fainting is possible! Call an ambulance immediately! Lean on the support and don't move.

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Diagnostic methods

To determine the cause of headaches during pregnancy, a set of examinations is prescribed. The first stage is a consultation with a neurologist, which includes a study of reflexes. Based on the results of the examination and initial diagnosis, additional tests are prescribed:

• general blood test - indicates an increase in the level of leukocytes in the blood during inflammatory processes, a decrease in the number of red blood cells during anemia;
• biochemical blood test - will show a deficiency or excess of important microelements, which can lead to headaches;
• additional blood tests - prescribed to determine blood gas composition, hormonal composition and other indicators;
• MRI - in the second trimester, this method can be used to assess the condition of the brain and internal organs, but if possible it is postponed until after childbirth;
• Ultrasound is one of the main ways to examine internal organs and blood vessels.

Doctors at the Clinical Brain Institute recommend undergoing an examination if headaches occur too often or with high intensity. It is also important to determine the cause of a headache that has not occurred before. Additional symptoms (nausea, dizziness, poor coordination of movements) should also be a reason for diagnosis.

Treatment methods and first aid

First aid for dizziness

To avoid falling and injuring yourself and your unborn child, you should know the rules of behavior when dealing with dizziness:

• immediately try to sit or lean against a vertical surface;
• Self-massage of the head, neck and ears using circular movements without pressure helps;
• you should immediately provide access to fresh air (ask to open the window, loosen the belts and waistbands on your clothes, unfasten the top button);
• You can put a cold compress on your forehead;
• It will be useful to have either smelling salts, ammonia, or essential oil with you - inhaling pungent odors helps with dizziness.

Treatment of dizziness during pregnancy

During normal pregnancy, dizziness is not treated. Only three cases require medical intervention:

• anemia;
• gestational diabetes;
• low or high blood pressure.

You can alleviate your condition with these diseases yourself:

• for anemia, introduce iron-rich foods into the diet and take iron-containing medications;
• for low blood pressure - drink sweet tea, you can (but without abusing) weak sweet coffee, tincture of ginseng or eleutherococcus;
• If you have high blood pressure, drink ginger tea or warm milk.

Gestational diabetes should be treated under the supervision of a doctor. Do not self-medicate under any circumstances!

Nausea and dizziness

Dizziness appears in the second trimester of pregnancy mainly under the influence of external factors. Often pregnant women report discomfort with sudden changes in body position. Therefore, it is recommended to get up smoothly and avoid jerking.

With anemia (a drop in hemoglobin levels), as the main active cause of dizziness, additional vitamin complexes are required. Taking iron supplements can return laboratory parameters to normal and improve the woman’s condition.

Nausea during pregnancy manifests itself in the first trimester against the background of early toxicosis, but can persist until delivery. At the beginning of the 2nd trimester, nausea is provoked by a sharp, unpleasant odor. These symptoms usually disappear by 18 weeks. If you feel sick at the 20th week of pregnancy, and there is constant vomiting, then this is evidence of late gestosis. It is dangerous for women and can provoke developmental pathologies in the child.

Consequences

Dizziness does not have serious consequences if it occurs periodically and is relieved without the use of medications.

The worst thing that can happen to a woman is a fall. It is fraught with damage not only to the expectant mother, but also to the child.

The problem lies in the provoking factor – low blood pressure (hypotension). It can be primary and against the background of ongoing diseases. The danger of hypotension is an increased load on the heart, blood vessels of any location, kidneys, and a woman’s liver. The body does not have enough strength to maintain vital functions. Blood supply to the fetus decreases, the likelihood of hypoxia increases.

So that the joy of motherhood is not overshadowed by the unpleasant sensations of dizziness and unsteadiness of gait, a woman should be careful about her health. If the first signs of discomfort occur, it is important to immediately consult a doctor.