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Dizziness During Pregnancy -- Is it normal?
As if the thought of your life changing with the arrival of your precious bundle of joy wasn't enough to keep your head spinning, now you are experiencing physical head spinning. But occasional (and perhaps frequent) bouts of dizziness are typically nothing to worry about, just a normal part of what your body will go through during pregnancy.
In the first trimester, dizziness can possibly be contributed to the fact that your blood flow has not yet had a chance to compensate for your need for increased circulation. Starting in the third trimester, it can be attributed to your expanding size in general. Your blood flow will start to place priority in getting blood to your baby, not you, thanks to a hormone known as progesterone. The fact that your own cells are receiving less blood means that your blood pressure will drop. This is what is causing you to see spots when you arise quickly from a sitting or lying position, and probably what is causing you to be so forgetful. It's a good idea to go from lying to sitting (dangling your legs off the side of the bed), then to standing.
You might also feel dizzy or faint because of a drop in blood sugar. During pregnancy, it is recommended that you consume at least 300 extra calories a day. Failure to get enough of the protein and complex carbohydrates (usually referred to as 'good carbs') can cause your sugar to bottom out, and could lead to syncope (fainting). If you feel a severe dizzy spell coming, it would be a good idea to sit down as soon as you can and ask someone to bring you a snack. I have suffered with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) for most of my life and I have found that orange juice and peanut butter crackers are a good snack for getting blood sugar back to a normal level. Avoid things like candy bars and soda unless it is a dire emergency and these are the only items you can get on such short notice.
Just as before you were pregnant, becoming overheated can also cause you to feel dizzy. The best way to deal with this is to take off any unneccessary layers of clothing and getting some fresh air.
You may also be able to blame your dizzy spells on dehydration. Just as before you got pregnant, you should be drinking at least 8 cups of water a day. Water intake is also important to help you avoid a dehydrated uterus. If your amniotic fluid becomes dangerously low, you could start premature labor contractions or Braxton-Hicks contractions.
To deal with dizziness, lay down on your right side, with your legs elevated. You can also sit and tuck your head between your knees. Get some cool water or something else to drink and relax for a while.
In general, being dizzy is perfectly normal (unfortunately), and is nothing to become too alarmed about or call your doctor over. However, mention it at your next visit. If you do happen to faint completely and lose consciousness, call your doctor right away.