Pregnancy Forums

Posted: July 01 2007 at 9:09pm | IP Logged

Im so fed up with dizzy spells.

They just getting worse. When I stand up everything goes black and it feels like my head is gonna explode. Then my legs go funny. After a few seconds my vision comes back and I start feeling better.

Anyone else getting this? If so how are you coping with it?

Posted: July 01 2007 at 9:46pm | IP Logged

Feeling dizzy or faint is quite common, especially in early pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones cause your blood vessels to relax and widen. This is nature's way of improving the flow of blood to your baby, but has the side effect of slowing the return of the blood, causing your blood pressure to be lower than usual, so that if you stand for a long time or get up quickly from sitting or lying down the flow of blood to your brain may be temporarily reduced leading to dizziness or fainting.

Dizziness may also be caused by low blood sugar levels as your body adapts to changes in your metabolism. Getting too hot may make you feel even worse. Also, you've been ill recently haven't you, which is not going to help. Try the following:

• Avoid standing for a long time. If you cannot avoid doing so, keep your legs and feet moving, to boost your circulation.

• Get up slowly from sitting or lying down, or when you get out of a warm bath.

• Don’t go too long between meals. If necessary carry a few biscuits or some fruit with you so you can have a snack when you need it.
• Don’t lie flat on your back. If you are not comfortable sleeping on your side, push a small pillow behind your back to tilt you slightly to one side.

If you do feel faint

• Sit or lie down, and lower your head
• Breathe deeply, and loosen any tight clothing
• Ask somebody to fan you or open a nearby window
• Rest for a while, then have something to eat

Having said all this, I do think that you should go to your gp and just get checked out, especially as you've been unwell recently anyway. Hope you're feeling better soon. x

Posted: July 02 2007 at 9:27am | IP Logged

Now you mension it lisa I remember you saying that. I think you did anyway.

3smallboys Thanks so much for that info. I am seeing my midwife on Thursday I will have a chat with her then. I have been feeling like this for a while I went doctors over it before and my blood pressure was checked and it was ok. It has seemed to get worse while I have been poorly.

Thanks ladies

Posted: July 02 2007 at 1:16pm | IP Logged

I just wanted to add, that when i was pg, i used to faint and feel dizzy quite often and it turned out i was slightly anemic (sp).
Its nothing to worry about though and when you have your bloods taken at your doc's, they will automatically check the level of iron in it, and if its low, you will just be prescibed iron tablets.

Just try to take things easy and i hope things improve soon.
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