Dizziness In Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a beautiful phase in every woman’s life; however, it is accompanied with several symptoms which can be discomforting and dizziness is one among it. Many women experience spells of dizziness during early and mid pregnancy. The causes range from physiological changes to physical changes in the body.
In most cases, dizziness in pregnancy is not a serious problem and can be associated to excessive hormonal secretions in the body. Rising hormone levels during pregnancy causes blood vessels to swell, increasing blood flow to the baby and in turn lowers blood pressure. This can lead to occasional dizziness. In addition to this, the cardiovascular system undergoes dramatic changes; the heart rate goes up and the heart pumps more blood per minute.
During normal pregnancy, blood pressure gradually decreases in the beginning, reaching its lowest point in the middle of the pregnancy. It then begins to rise, returning to its regular level by the end of pregnancy. Most of the time, the cardiovascular and nervous systems are able to adjust to all these changes, but occasionally they don’t, which can result in a lightheaded or dizzy feeling.
Dizziness In Pregnancy – Reasons & Remedy
Some of the most common reasons for dizziness in pregnancy are:
Sleeping Posture – Lying flat on your back during pregnancy gives rise to a condition known as supine hypotensive syndrome which leads to an increase in the heart rate but a subsequent drop in the blood pressure. This could lead to dizziness.
Diet – During pregnancy, it is highly essential to have a well balanced and nutritious diet as the body metabolism increases by 20%. Many women tend to eat less in the morning due to morning sickness or nausea. The lack of nutrition or eating less in the morning can cause hypoglycaemia which will lead to dizziness.
Water Intake – If you do not keep you body hydrated, it can cause dizziness. It is essential to drink 6-8 glasses of water and depending on the climatic conditions, you need to increase the water intake.
Sudden Movements Or Change In Posture - While sitting or lying down, more blood tends to flow into the hands and feet. However, while standing up, it takes time for blood to rush to the heart and brain. As a result, there can be a sudden dip in blood pressure causing dizziness due to insufficient amount of blood and oxygen in the brain.
Anaemia – Anaemia is caused due to deficiency of iron and will lead to a decrease in red blood cells. If you are anaemic, you will experience weakness and dizziness frequently.
Physical exertion – Any form of excessive or strenuous physical activity can result in hyperventilation and can cause dizziness. You need to discuss your workout routine with your doctor in order to ensure that it’s not stressful on your body.
Leading a regulated lifestyle during this sensitive phase is the key to avoid dizzy in pregnancy. Undertaking a strict diet filled with nutritious food, iron supplements and lots of fluid is recommended. Physical activities should be carried out in a controlled fashion. Finally keeping a regular check on blood pressure and monitoring postural changes would help evade spells of dizziness during pregnancy.
