Is dizziness common in pregnancy?

• Normal physiological changes during pregnancy such as a drop in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate could lead to dizziness or lightheadedness. All this changes helps to provide more blood to your baby.
• Compression of a large vein called inferior vena cava especially if you lie down on your back.
• Changes in your metabolism could lead to low blood sugar
• Low levels of haemoglobin or anemia. The women who has anaemia may also have other symptoms such as tiredness, difficult in breathing & palpitations

• Avoid prolonged standing.
• Avoid standing up to quickly from a lying or sitting position.
• Avoid humid rooms
• Avoid have a hot bath or shower
• Avoid lying down flat on your back especially when you are in your second or third trimester as by doing so your growing abdomen may compress on a large vein that brings back all the blood from the legs back to the heart (inferior vena cava).
• Avoid skipping meal to avoid low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia).
• Have a balanced diet, rich in iron. You may want to start taking iron supplements to prevent anaemia.

• Lie down on your side
• Sit down. You may place your head in between your knees if this feels comfortable.
• If your dizziness worsen or is persistent you need to see your doctor.

• If you have fainting episodes.
• You have other symptoms such as breathlessness, palpitations, shortness of breath or chest pain or blurring of vision.
• You have lower abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding.

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