7 Causes of Dizziness During Pregnancy
December 19, 2018
Dizziness is often the case in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. You also don't need to worry because dizziness during pregnancy can be prevented by avoiding the following conditions or habits.
Dizziness during pregnancy is usually not a dangerous condition, and will disappear with increasing gestational age. But still, this condition can cause discomfort for some pregnant women.
Various Causes of Dizziness during Pregnancy
Here are some conditions or habits that can trigger dizziness during pregnancy:
Anemia
Some pregnant women often experience anemia due to lack of iron intake. This causes the red blood cells that carry oxygen to the brain and other organs to be less, thus triggering dizziness during pregnancy. Therefore, you are advised to get enough iron intake, especially when entering the second and third trimesters. If necessary, consume iron supplements as recommended by the doctor.
Lack of energy
Dizziness during pregnancy can also be a sign that the body needs energy intake. Too late to eat about 1-2 hours can make pregnant women dizzy. This condition often occurs in pregnant women who have difficulty eating or drinking because of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. For that, always prepare healthy snacks as an energy supply. Also, try to eat by eating small portions but often to avoid dizziness during pregnancy.
Dehydration
Like hunger, dehydration can also cause dizziness during pregnancy. During pregnancy, pregnancy hormones in the mother's body will make more fluid flow to the fetus to support life and the formation of organs. In addition, pregnancy hormones also cause your body to sweat more. If this fluid requirement is not sufficient, pregnant women can become dehydrated. To prevent dehydration during pregnancy, it is recommended to drink 10 glasses of water per day, loose clothes, and activate air conditioning.
Stand up suddenly
When sitting, blood will collect in the legs. Standing suddenly can trigger dizziness during pregnancy. This is because the blood flow to the heart becomes less, so that blood pressure drops rapidly. To prevent dizziness during pregnancy, try to stand slowly from a sitting or lying position.
Stand too long
Standing too long can also cause dizziness during pregnancy because a lot of blood accumulates in the area of the foot. To overcome this, try sitting or lying down until the dizziness subsides. Not only that, you can also move your legs for several minutes to help facilitate blood circulation.
Lying too long
Lying in a supine position for too long can also trigger dizziness during pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters. This is because blood vessels behind the uterus are pinched. As a result, blood flow back from the legs and pelvis to the heart will be blocked and not flow smoothly. To prevent dizziness during pregnancy, lie on your side to the left to increase blood flow to the heart and brain. In addition, refuse your back with a pillow to make it more comfortable.
Hormonal changes
The cause of dizziness during pregnancy because of hormonal changes is actually unavoidable, because it is a natural process of the body during pregnancy. Dizziness during pregnancy because hormonal changes occur because the pregnancy hormone produced makes your blood vessels dilate. On the one hand, widening these blood vessels is needed to increase blood flow to the fetus. But on the other hand, it makes the blood supply to your brain become reduced, causing dizziness. To anticipate and overcome dizziness during pregnancy because of these hormonal changes, you are advised to consult a gynecologist so that treatment can be given if needed.
Dizziness during pregnancy is a natural thing, but it is advisable to remain vigilant especially if accompanied by other symptoms such as fainting, severe abdominal pain, convulsions, fever, weakness in limbs, blurred vision, and vaginal bleeding. Immediately consult your obstetrician about the signs of symptoms that are experienced.