Home Blogs Vertigo In Pregnant Women

Vertigo In Pregnant Women

Vertigo is a feeling of whirling or dizziness wherein one experiences a feeling of moving even when one is absolutely still. Vertigo in pregnancy is not unheard of. If an expectant mother is experiencing it for the first time, she may find it very uncomfortable and disorienting. However vertigo may sometimes be one of the first signs of pregnancy.

Vertigo in pregnancy symptoms include a feeling of dizziness, nausea and vomiting. These signs can last for a short while or may sometimes go on for long periods. Sometimes, certain head movements may cause vertigo. For other women, simple movements like getting up or sitting down or shifting positions can cause vertigo.

Vertigo most commonly occurs due to a problem of balance in the inner ear. However, causes of vertigo in pregnancy range from changes in the cardiovascular system, low blood pressure, pressure on the circulatory system and inconsistent and fluctuating blood sugar levels, hormonal imbalance and even dehydration.

During pregnancy there is a rise in production of different hormones. Due to this sudden hormonal imbalance or hormonal surge, the blood vessels in the expectant mother’s body get larger due to which there is a drop in the blood pressure as the volume of blood remains the same. This is not a cause of concern for the growing baby’s health in the womb as the baby is getting adequate blood supply. The same volume of blood and relaxed and enlarged blood vessels lead to the blood vessels being incapable of pumping blood, resulting in the delays in the blood reaching the brain and consequently vertigo occurrence. The body has not had enough time to make up for the circulatory demands. As pregnancy advances the body will increase the blood volume.

Vertigo in early pregnancy is quite common. Vertigo in pregnancy second trimester is also not unusual. This is also caused due to a sharp fall in blood pressure levels also known as hypotension. Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar levels also cause vertigo and dizziness during the second trimester. As for vertigo in pregnancy third trimester, it is caused because of the pressure exerted by the enlarged uterus with its fetus on the major blood vessels in the mother’s body.

Treatment of vertigo in pregnancy involves simple tips such as eating well-balanced meals, eating small but frequent meals and drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, slow and controlled movements. It is important to prevent falls due to vertigo.

• RSS Feeds -
• All posts
• All comments