Dizziness during pregnancy

introduction

Dizziness during pregnancy is a common phenomenon. Especially at the beginning of pregnancy, dizziness is a typical complaint, often in combination with nausea and vomiting.

If you have frequent attacks of dizziness, especially if these occur in combination with palpitations, headaches or visual disturbances, these should be discussed with a doctor.
Most of the time, dizziness during pregnancy is harmless and can be viewed as a natural, albeit unpleasant, companion.

causes

There are many different reasons for the occurrence of Dizziness during pregnancy. One important reason is that the body changes itself throughout pregnancy new circumstances has to adjust again and again, which is a challenge for the entire circulatory system. More details can be found in the individual periods of pregnancy, which are usually divided into trimesters (also called trimesters), i.e. three-month periods.

Other more general reasons can include low blood sugar, gestational diabetes, Overheating, getting up quickly, psychological causes, High blood pressure or anemia.

1st trimester

For one thing, it comes to Onset of pregnancy to a very large hormonal changeswhich in about 75% of pregnant women is sometimes very severe nausea with or without vomiting, but also too dizziness and fatigue can lead. Here is above all that Hormone progesterone to emphasize that is increasingly being formed and has a calming effect, but also makes you tired.

On the other hand, it must adolescent baby now has enough blood are supplied so that the Adjust blood flow quickly got to. As a result maternal blood pressure drops. One should pay attention to this not getting up too quickly, because when you get up some of the blood already sags into your legs. To the Blood pressure to get going, can moderate exercise help. Preferably in the form of slow walks or swimming. It should sufficient breaks be inserted. Alternating baths can also help. Drink a lot (2-2.5 liters per day) generally helps to keep the blood pressure from dropping.

Slight dizziness at the beginning of pregnancy is thus completely normal. Nevertheless, one should address the dizziness to the doctor, especially if symptoms like Shortness of breath, strong Palpitations and Headache in pregnancy join in. Then one could Anemia exist. In this case, too, should be no medication for circulatory problems be taken without consulting a doctor, not even if they were taken before pregnancy, as many Medication in Pregnancy are not allowed and that Harm the child.

2nd trimester

Most of the time im sound second trimester the initial inconvenience like Nausea and dizziness from. This Stage of pregnancy is considered very by most women enjoyable felt. Still, many women continue to feel Dizziness (fits). This is because the Blood volume continues to increase and the Have dilated vessels. Especially on getting up the blood becomes now slower up towards heart/head pumped, bringing it to a short-term undersupply in the brain what can come as dizziness is felt. This brief one dizziness, however does not affect the babythat has its own well-regulated blood circulation. It helps that Put your legs up or to swing your legs. Because that leads to the Blood back in the body faster distributed. However, it should be Faint must come dizziness urgent to be clarified, because then the child can also be harmed.

Even if to At the beginning of the 2nd trimester the child is only about 7 cm is large, it grows enormously during the 2nd trimester. This allows the growing uterus on the large, inferior vena cava push causing it to dizziness can come. However, this is rarely the case at this point.

3rd trimester

in the 3rd trimester the child is already very much well matured. If before no dizziness existed, it is relative unlikely now pronounced Developing vertigo again. However, it will be in this Section of pregnancy more likelythat dizziness occurs because that Child now more strongly on the inferior vena cava presses. This can be done while lying down, especially when lying down or sleeping on your back.

Low / high blood sugar

One to low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia, Hypoglycaemia) occurs when over one Eaten nothing or too little for a long time has been. After all, the child now “eats” and the Food intake needs to be adjusted accordingly become. More must be eaten, because up at the end of pregnancy the basal metabolic rate increases by up to to 20%. It is helpful every two hours to have a small healthy snack. For example, a Apple, a banana or an orange, a mug of yogurt or a glass of milk. If you want it to be quick, you can Glucose or a small candy bar to take in.

At this point it should be noted that also a high blood sugar dizziness can generate, namely when the Glucose tolerance drops too much during pregnancy: That is, the Blood sugar levels do not decrease quickly enough after ingestion within a period of time. This is because more insulin is needed, which in some women is not provided enough by the body. Thus it can become a high blood sugar come, the so-called gestational diabetes (also Gestational diabetes called). Since the sugar is now in the blood, but cannot get into the cells, as the insulin “as the key to the cell” is missing, it cannot fulfill its task as an energy supplier. As a result, it can be despite having too high blood sugar Symptoms of hypoglycaemia (i.a. weakness, dizziness, Tremble, sweat) come to the mother. in the In the worst case scenario, the mother as well as the child can collapse. However, are Dizziness and fainting in this case later consequences. At the Onset of gestational diabetes namely kick mostly no symptoms yet on. So they are Blood sugar checks at the check-ups very important. Early symptoms include excessive thirst or also a frequent need to urinate.

Overheating

Overheating can also too Dizziness during pregnancy to lead.

Other symptoms of overheating are Drowsiness as well as strong, sudden onset a headache. There Overheating causes birth defects this must be avoided at all costs. Straight at the beginning of pregnancy you should be careful not to overwhelm your body with excessive stress. This includes not excessive exercise to drift even if one is from in front of the pregnancy was used to it. In addition, care must be taken to ensure adequate fluid intake during (sporting) activity. After exercising, the Body temperature (measured under the arm) not more than 38.2 ° C be.

Long hot baths can also lead to overheating. On Visits to the sauna should generally be avoided. In addition, care should be taken to avoid a fever (e.g. from a Infection) let develop. Should Fever occur, it is imperative to see a doctor for advice on the treatment of fever, as many Medication not in pregnancy may be taken. Lukewarm calf compresses are a good non-drug treatment option.

Further information on this topic can be found at: Fever during pregnancy

Mental causes

Often has dizziness not physical but psychological causes. This is the so-called "psychogenic dizziness". Causes of mental health dizziness can be very different. Common reasons for this are Stress and excessive demands with the situation.

At psychogenic dizziness are accompanying symptoms such as palpitations, Sweats or shortness of breath are not uncommon, but do not necessarily have to occur additionally. Especially if there are no other causes for the dizziness can be found, the dizziness has psychological causes.

It is worth discussing problems with the doctor, even if at first glance they do not match dizziness have to do and possibly one Psychotherapists to consult. Often occurs when other problems are resolved as well Relief of vertigo a.

Dizziness when lying down

At advanced pregnancy (approx End of the second trimester) should be on the Do not sleep on your back because the uterus is now increasing in size and thus on the veins (especially the inferior vena cava / V. cava inferior) can press. This will make the Obstructed blood flow to the brain.

More symptoms when this complication occurs, ringing in the ears, nausea or racing heart It is recommended that pregnant women sleep on their side.

Dizzy spells

Spells of dizziness are often accompanied by sweats and nausea. When you feel dizzy, fainting is the greatest danger because the brain doesn't get enough oxygen. However, this only occurs very rarely.

Should you feel the first signs such as severe dizziness accompanied by nausea or an "everything is spinning" feeling, you should try to remain calm, sit down quickly, if possible lie down and ideally turn on your left side. Another exercise against dizziness is: sit down and put your head between your knees.

You might also be interested in the following topic: Vertigo during pregnancy

Dizziness as a sign of pregnancy

dizziness can indeed be one Signs of pregnancy be. Often this is then in Combination with a headache available. The root cause is here the hormonal change. However, dizziness on its own is not a sure sign of pregnancy. However, should this be accompanied by other "safer" signs like that No menstrual bleeding, one slight implantation bleeding, emerging morning sickness or touch-sensitive breasts can occur if unprotected intercourse has taken place in the previous weeks / months pregnancy be thought.

Treatment with homeopathic remedies

Homoeopathic remedies can if necessary at Dizziness during pregnancy help. However, homeopathy should only be used at slight discomfort can be used. It also depends on which accompanying symptoms occur and when. Well-known are remedies are Cocculus, Bryonia alba, Conium maculatum, Gelsemium sempervirens.