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What causes dizziness and fainting in pregnancy?Dizziness and fainting are quite common in early pregnancy, when your blood sugar levels fluctuate. At this time, you are getting used to the high levels of pregnancy hormones circulating in your body. You may be also be suffering from morning sickness and vomiting. This can cause dehydration, making symptoms of dizziness and fainting worse. Being anaemic will exacerbate the problem.
Changes in blood pressure during pregnancy can also make you feel dizzy or faint. In early and middle pregnancy the hormone progesterone affects your veins by dilating them, so your blood pressure often drops. This is made worse by sitting or standing up quickly. As your pregnancy progresses you will have more blood and fluid in your body to accommodate your developing baby, which may make your blood pressure go up.
In addition, the pressure of your growing baby in later pregnancy can squeeze some of the blood vessels, notably those in your legs, pelvis and lower body when you lie flat on your back. This can also make you feel dizzy and vague as your blood pressure drops, especially if you have already developed varicose veins or haemorrhoids (piles). Being too hot can add to these problems, and overheating is common because your growing baby already pushes your normal temperature up by 1 degree Celsius.
Occasionally fainting and dizziness can be caused by diabetes which is either existing or develops while you are pregnant (gestational diabetes).
On rare occasions fainting and dizziness may also be due to serious problems such as bleeding from the placenta or an ectopic pregnancy. If you are at all worried by fainting and dizziness, contact your midwife or doctor.
How can I prevent it from happening?Keep your blood sugar levels even by eating regularly, little and often. If you are prone to dizziness, make sure you always have a couple of dry biscuits with you in your bag. Stay well hydrated, drinking at least eight glasses of water a day and avoiding drinks which cause you to pass urine more frequently (such as caffeinated tea and coffee, cola and alcohol).
Eat iron-rich foods with plenty of vitamin C to aid absorption if you are anaemic, if you are expecting more than one baby or if you have become pregnant again within a year of having a previous pregnancy. These circumstances may cause you to use up your iron stores quickly.
Try not to become overheated. Wear layers of loose, comfortable clothing, so that you can take a layer off as needed. If it is a hot day, drink plenty of water, use a fan if you have one and sponge your face and hands with cool water. You may like to consider keeping a spray dispenser containing spring water in the fridge to use when you need it. (Find other tips on keeping cool in hot weather)
Do not bathe in water that is too hot, and get out of the bath very carefully in case you feel dizzy as you climb out. If this is really a problem, avoid having a bath unless someone else is in the house to help you.
Your circulation will flow better if you avoid standing or sitting in one position for too long. If your job involves standing for long periods move about from one foot to the other, and sit down whenever possible, or take a walk around to stimulate your circulation. Do not sit with your legs crossed over one another.
In late pregnancy it is important to avoid lying flat on your back, as the weight of your baby will press on the large blood vessels returning blood to your heart, temporarily restricting the circulation. This not only causes you to feel dizzy, light-headed and faint, but can also slightly reduce your baby’s oxygen supply, even if only temporarily. Lie on your side (preferably your left), use pillows when possible and sit up slowly when you have been lying down for any length of time.
Self-help suggestionsConsider all the suggestions above to prevent dizziness and fainting from becoming worse. If you actually start to feel faint, sit or lie down with your head between your knees (if you can!). If you are already lying down, move onto your left side. Take some deep breaths to regulate your breathing, loosen any tight clothing and ask someone to open windows and doors for you. A wet cloth on your forehead may also help.
Your diet should include plenty of wholefoods, including watercress, dandelions, nettles (or drink nettle tea), dried apricots (sulphur-free if possible) and prunes, raisins, blackcurrants, raspberries and blackberries.
Garlic, used as whole, unpeeled cloves in cooking, will stimulate your circulation without causing a strong flavour or odour. Mashed whole sardines, eaten with the bones, kippers and organic salmon are also useful sources of minerals to help prevent anaemia.
There are two shiatsu points which can serve as a quick "first aid" point for self-help. One is in the depression on the thumb side of the wrist crease (Lung 9 point) and the other is in the depression on the inside of the tendon on the little finger side (Heart 7 point). Press both at the same time for 5-7 seconds, repeat twice more, then do the same on the other wrist