Maternal Resources

Three Signs Your Pregnancy Dizziness is Worrisome

When you are pregnant it’s hard to distinguish which pregnancy symptoms are normal and which are concerning. Some seem alarming but turn out to be totally common while others seem like no big deal but turn out to be much more serious than you think. Feeling dizzy can fit into either category.
Why do you get dizzy when pregnant?
Dizziness can have a lot to do with your blood vessels. According to Parents, the hormones you get when pregnant increase your blood flow and your heart rate but slow down your circulation in the process. Dizziness can also be caused by the pressure that’s put on your blood vessels by your growing uterus.
If you start to feel dizzy, immediately lay on your side until the feeling passes and try not to stand up for a long period of time. Staying hydrated also helps prevent dizzy spells from happening, so drink plenty of water. If you have tried these tricks and you still feel dizzy, you may have to speak with your doctor to come up with a solution.
If any of these signs happen to you, your dizziness may be more serious than you think:
Fainting
If you faint while pregnant, don’t just shrug it off. Fainting is not common during pregnancy. If you faint and feel dizzy, you might have anemia, according to the Mayo Clinic, and you should let your doctor know.
Dizzy or light headed when laying down
Lying down usually helps ease the dizziness, so if getting horizontal actually makes you feel worse, it could mean that you have developed supine hypotensive syndrome, which means your blood pressure drops when lying on your back leaving your head spinning. Try to lay down on your side instead of your back to help ease the dizziness.
Throwing up
If you are vomiting often and feeling dizzy, you could havehyperemesis gravidarum which is a very severe form of morning sickness that could sometimes require going to the hospital.
It’s very important to recognize which pregnancy symptoms are serious so you can take the appropriate precautions to keep you and your little bundle of joy safe and healthy. For more pregnancy advice, tips and hints, visit the Maternal Resource blog often or contact us at 201-487-8600.