It then begins to go back up, returning to its regular level by the end of pregnancy. In the second and third trimesters , a growing uterus also puts pressure on veins and slows circulation to the lower half of your body. Your cardiovascular and nervous systems can usually adjust to these changes and maintain adequate blood flow to your brain. But sometimes they don't adapt quickly enough, which can leave you feeling lightheaded or dizzy, or even make you faint.
You're also more likely to feel dizzy if you have anemia , don't eat or drink enough, overdo it when you exercise , or get overheated.
Although these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they're distinct from each other. Lightheadedness happens when you feel faint, and your body might seem heavy while your head feels too light.
Dizziness, which is also called vertigo, makes you feel like your surroundings are moving and that can often lead to nausea. With vertigo in pregnancy, you may feel off balance or like you're spinning or tilting. This might also be accompanied by headaches or vision issues.
Feeling lightheaded or dizzy during early pregnancy is not as common as changes like sore breasts, morning sickness, fatigue, and frequent urination. But it's still considered normal because of increasing blood volume along with hormonal changes. Those hormone shifts cause your blood vessels to relax and widen, which bring more blood to your baby, but slow how much flows back to you. That prompts a dip in blood pressure that can cause dizziness.
Low blood sugar levels may also be a culprit, because your body is trying to regulate those levels in the first trimester. Although dizziness can be more acute in the first trimester and less frequent in your second trimester , it can also occur later in pregnancy, especially if you lie on your back.
That's because the weight of the baby is pressing on your vena cava, the large vein carrying blood to your heart from your lower body. You can have vertigo in pregnancy, but other less common causes of dizziness during pregnancy may not be as easy to spot. Those can include:. Vasovagal syncope: Some people get dizzy when they strain to cough, pee, or have a bowel movement. These actions can prompt blood pressure and heart rate to fall, leading to dizziness and fainting.
Vasovagal means your vagus nerve is affecting your circulatory system; syncope means fainting. Dehydration, anxiety , and pain can also be triggers. Pregnant women are more prone to vasovagal syncope. Besides lightheadedness, it's often preceded by warning signs such as a feeling of warmth, paleness, sweating, nausea, yawning, and hyperventilation. Pay attention to these symptoms and lie down immediately to try to keep yourself from fainting. Anemia: If you're anemic, you don't have as many red blood cells to carry oxygen to your brain and other organs, which can make you feel lightheaded.
Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia, so be sure to eat an iron-rich diet and take a prenatal vitamin with iron, especially in your second and third trimesters. If you're anemic, your provider may prescribe a separate iron supplement as well. Anxiety: When you feel anxious , you may hyperventilate and get lightheaded. Pregnancy Health and Wellness.
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Subscribe to our week-by-week Pregnancy Newsletter. What week is your pregnancy in? Facebook-f Twitter Instagram. Pregnancy Tools. You can expect on average a drop of 5 to 10 mmHg in systolic pressure and up to 15 mmHg in diastolic pressure.
Be assured that your pressure will gradually rise and should return to normal by the end of your pregnancy. Did you know that blood pools in your feet and lower legs when you sit?
When you stand up quickly, your body may not return enough blood to your heart. Tip: Wearing support stockings can help the circulation in your lower legs. As your pregnancy progresses, your uterus can compress the inferior vena cava the vein that returns blood from your lower body to your heart and pelvic veins, slowing circulation in your legs. Lying flat on your back can make the problem worse. Inadequate nutrition can lead to low blood sugar, which can make you dizzy or feel faint.
This article describes 12 early signs in detail and when to contact a doctor. Can dizziness occur in the first week of pregnancy? Causes Other symptoms Managing dizziness Prevention When to see a doctor Summary Some people who experience dizziness during the first week of being pregnant may think that pregnancy is the cause. What causes dizziness in early pregnancy? Other symptoms of early pregnancy by week.
How to manage dizziness. How to prevent it. When to see a doctor. Latest news Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes.
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