Dizzy, why?

[tri31]

I went to see my midwife on Wednesday and told her I have been having frequent dizzy spells especially at night. Repositioning in bed, just turning my head, it's not just a get up slowly thing. She suggested that I need more calories and protein, and ordered an ultrasound for next week. So, anyway I am eating super healthy and drinking lots of water, it's still happening. Do any of you have experience with this?

[MaerynPearl]

I have problems with my blood pressure being really low in pregnancy which causes similar dizzy times later on when moving positions.

[etsdtm99]

hmm. i have issues with that too and i'm only 10 weeks.. i have always heard that dizziness is a pregnancy symptom but never any explanation.. maybe i should ask my midwife too.. hmm

[steph66]

Its most likely your BP. I have been getting horrible dizzy spells this pregnancy(i'm ten weeks too). I am normally on the low side anyways-the highest I have EVER seen my BP was 115/85 when I was like 38 weeks pregnant with DD. My BP this week was 90/60 and that was on a "good day". I plan to talk with my dr about it at next appt. I notice that it comes and goes though. I'm not sure what you can do for this though....

[katelove]

Yep, the most likely cause of dizziness during pregnancy is low blood pressure.

The reason for low BP during pregnancy is that the hormones relaxin and, to a lesser extent, progesterone cause the muscles which control how wide/narrow our blood vessels are to relax making the vessels wider (vasodilation). This is to allow improved blood flow to vital organs which have to work harder and also to the placenta but the side effect is low BP/dizziness.

It tends to be worse in the first trimester because we haven't had the corresponding increase in blood volume to fill the space. However, for some people, it persists even with the incresee in blood. Staying well hydrated may help and not getting too hot may help as heat causes vasodilaion as well.

In later pregnancy (usually third trimester) some people find lying on their back causes dizziness as the uterus presses on the vena cava (biggest vein, takes blood back to the heart from the rest of the body) which decreases the amount of blood getting to the heart. This in turn decreases the amount of blood leaving the heart which leads to low BP.

Hope all that makes sense.

Cheers
Kate

[cyndalnronny]

I am having that problem too. I have used the bp cup for the wrist when i was sitting down and then again on the other arm when i stood up and found out that it wasnt my bp it was my heartrate it jump 30 points when i stood up. So now i just try to stay relaxed and not try to move around too much and i slowing stand up and slowly move around and it helps alot. Are you stressed out alot? Worring about alot of things? That could cause it too. Try doing that and see if it helps. I hope it works for you.

[missmich]

Before I got the news and was not eating or drinking much I got really dehydrated and then dizzy if I walked to the bathroom! Now that I'm much better the dizziness has gone,but I notice that if I"m hungry I might feel a little bit dizzy and it's time to eat.

[bjorker]

I also have low-ish bp and get dizzy occasionally. I don't know if one necessarily causes the other (for me), but it makes sense.

[CorasMama]

dizzy spells are totally normal during pregnancy, and not necessarily related to blood pressure. I have them, and my bp this pregnancy is such that I'm on meds for it! I've had a midwife and 2 doctors check on it, and they all just say it's normal, and to just get up slowly when I get up, and if it happens while standing/walking, to take it easy and maybe sit down.