Dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting during pregnancy are relatively common. During pregnancy your body undergoes a lot of change physically. Your body is making place for another human being, with existing organs. Your ambient body temperature goes up. Your body starts pumping more blood per minute and amount of blood expands by roughly 40 per cent. You are bound to feel the after effects. Dizzy and fainting spells can occur during any trimester of the pregnancy. Usually the body has its own way of adjusting to such changes.
But sometimes it is not able to. If you feel dizziness during pregnancy, you should try some basic remedies for quick relief. If you stand up too fat, blood tends to quickly pool into your extremities.
As your body cannot adjust, you start to feel dizzy. To remedy this you should stand up from a sitting or a lying down position slowly. If you remain standing for long periods, remember to move your legs to promote circulation. Ideally, when pregnant, you should not remain standing for a long time.
As the pregnancy progresses, lying on your back can prove dicey. Lying flat on the bed can block blood circulation to your legs due to the increasing size of your uterus. This could also bring on a dizzying or fainting spell. Lying on your side with a pillow supporting your belly, your back and your legs is a good idea.
Sometimes less food and water can lead to dehydration and a spell of dizziness with or without fainting spells. This is especially true in anemic women who suffer from a less volume of blood. Pregnant women are advised to eat frequent meals, especially energy giving food. If you are anemic, carry and eat iron-rich food. Just taking supplements and vitamins is not enough. Food helps regulate blood sugar which helps prevent these dizzy spells. Eating really large meals is also not a good idea.
Sometimes taking a steam bath or being in an overheated room can also affect blood pressure and make you feel woozy. Excessive exercise is also known to cause overheating in the body leading to feeling faint and dizzy. Though feeling dizzy and faint is common during pregnancy, accompanied with other symptoms might be dangerous. If these incidents are repeated and you are doing everything correctly, it would be a good idea to let your health care provider know.
Read more articles from the During Pregnancy Category.
7 Must-Haves Before Your Baby Arrives
Bonding Games for Babies
DIY Baby Bath Towel Apron
Common Late Pregnancy Fears