Dizziness during pregnancy is common in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. You don't need to worry if you experience it, because dizziness during pregnancy can be prevented by avoiding certain conditions or habits.
Dizziness during pregnancy is generally not a dangerous condition, and will go away with increasing gestational age. However, this condition can cause discomfort for some pregnant women.
Various Causes of Dizziness during Pregnancy
Here are some conditions or habits that can trigger dizziness during pregnancy:
1. Anemia
Some pregnant women often experience anemia due to lack of iron intake. This causes fewer red blood cells that carry oxygen to the brain and other organs, thus triggering dizziness during pregnancy.
Therefore, it is recommended that you get intake iron adequate, especially when entering the second and third trimesters. If necessary, take iron supplements according to doctor's recommendations.
2. Lack of energy
Dizziness during pregnancy can also be a sign that the body needs energy intake. This condition often occurs in pregnant women who have difficulty eating or drinking because of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
For that, always prepare healthy snacks as an energy supply. In addition, try to get around it by eating small portions but often to avoid dizziness during pregnancy.
3. Dehydration
As with hunger, dehydration can also cause dizziness during pregnancy. During pregnancy, you need a lot of water to form the placenta and amniotic sac.
If these fluid needs are not met, pregnant women can become dehydrated. To prevent dehydration during pregnancy, it is recommended to drink 10 glasses of water per day, loose clothes, and turn on the air conditioner.
4. Stand up suddenly
When sitting, blood will collect in the legs. Standing up suddenly can trigger dizziness during pregnancy. This is because the blood flow to the heart becomes less, so blood pressure drops quickly. To prevent dizziness during pregnancy, try to get up slowly from a sitting or lying position.
5. Standing too long
Standing too long can also cause dizziness during pregnancy because a lot of blood collects in the leg area. To fix this, try sitting or lying down until the dizziness subsides. Not only that, you can also move your feet for a few minutes to help improve blood circulation.
6. Lying too long
Lying on your back for too long can also trigger dizziness during pregnancy, especially in the second trimester and third.
This happens because the blood vessels behind the uterus are pinched. As a result, the back flow of blood from the legs and pelvis to the heart will be blocked and not flow smoothly.
To prevent dizziness during pregnancy, lie on your side to increase blood flow to your heart and brain. In addition, support your back with a pillow to make it more comfortable.
7. Hormonal changes
Dizziness during pregnancy due to hormonal changes occurs because the pregnancy hormones produced by the body make your blood vessels dilate.
On the one hand, dilation of these blood vessels is needed to increase blood flow to the fetus. But on the other hand, it reduces the blood supply to your brain, causing dizziness.
To anticipate and overcome dizziness during pregnancy due to hormonal changes, you are advised to consult a gynecologist so that treatment can be given if needed.
Dizziness during pregnancy is a natural thing. However, you are advised to remain vigilant, especially if dizziness is accompanied by other symptoms, such as blurred vision, abdominal pain, difficulty speaking, chest pain, tingling, shortness of breath, fast pulse, and vaginal bleeding.