Dizziness in pregnancy is very common. You are dizzy when you feel light-headed, weak, unsteady, and/or as though your environment is spinning. If you need to take a moment to steady yourself when you get out of bed in the morning, it's usually nothing to worry about. However, there are some circumstances in which dizziness can indicate something more serious. Always report this pregnancy symptom to your doctor or midwife. Seek medical help right away if dizziness is accompanied by feeling abdominal pain, feeling faint, feeling sick, bleeding, or having the colour drain from your face.

Why am I dizzy while I'm pregnant?

Your blood pressure, lowered by hormonal activity, is usually the culprit, but there can be different reasons for dizziness depending on the health of your pregnancy and where you are in your pregnancy.

Why am I dizzy in the first trimester of pregnancy?

Hormonal activity that lowers your blood pressure, low blood sugar, bouts of morning sickness, and fatigue are all reasons you may feel dizzy in early pregnancy.

Why am I dizzy in the second trimester of pregnancy?

During the second trimester, dizziness may also be caused by hormonal changes, or it could be because your growing uterus puts pressure on blood vessels. Nausea and fatigue often subside in this trimester, but every pregnancy is different, and these symptoms can cause dizziness. Dizziness may also occur if you lie on your back and the weight of the baby falls on your vena cava (a large vein that carries blood from your lower body to your heart). You may be diagnosed with pre-eclampsia with a test between 20 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, and dizziness can be a symptom of this condition.

Why am I dizzy in the third trimester of pregnancy?

As in the second trimester, you may experience dizziness if the pressure from your growing uterus presses on your blood vessels. This is more common when the baby is larger. Lying on your back can also cause dizziness in the third trimester. First-trimester nausea and fatigue can return in late pregnancy, making you feel dizzy. Gestational diabetes can develop at any time in pregnancy but is more common later on. Some women with this condition find they’re dizzy when they’re hungry, when their blood sugar is too high, or when their medication makes their blood sugar drop.

Is dizziness a symptom of miscarriage?

Dizziness is not a common symptom of miscarriage, but it can be a sign of ectopic pregnancy, especially if you are also feeling faint, experiencing heavy bleeding, feel sick, have strong abdominal pains, or become pale. An ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening. It is important to seek medical attention quickly, especially if you have more than one of these symptoms at once. Ectopic pregnancies rarely remain undiagnosed after the first trimester, so if you are past 12 weeks, this is unlikely to be why you are dizzy.

What are some self-care steps for coping with dizziness in pregnancy?

Here are some ideas for self-care steps you can take to cope with or avoid dizziness in pregnancy.

Take your time standing up or getting out of bed or the car, especially in late pregnancy.
If you feel dizzy while standing still, sit or lie down.
If you feel dizzy while lying on your back, roll onto your side.
Avoid hot, stuffy environments.
Ensure any chronic conditions, such as asthma and diabetes, are well managed.
Some anxiety disorders can cause breathing trouble and then dizziness. It is vital to reach out for mental health support in pregnancy if you need it.
Stay hydrated and abstain from alcohol throughout your pregnancy.
Wear breathable clothing and dress in layers so you can remove something if you get too hot.
Take warm (rather than piping hot) baths or showers.
Seek help with managing your morning sickness or anything that causes you to vomit.

Should I change my diet to prevent dizziness in pregnancy?

Your healthcare team will want to make sure that you have good iron levels in pregnancy. A lot of women become anaemic in pregnancy even if they had no symptoms before, and cases range from mild to severe. They may have iron tablets prescribed to them or be encouraged to consume lots of iron-rich foods. Dizziness can be a sign of low blood iron, so, again, it's important to mention this symptom to your doctor. If you have not been diagnosed with low blood iron, you may want to ensure you're eating lots of iron-rich foods in order to pre-empt this from happening. Examples of iron-rich foods include leafy green vegetables, pulses, red meat, and dried apricots. An alcoholic beverage's iron content is never a good enough reason to consume alcohol in pregnancy.

When is dizziness in pregnancy a cause for concern?

It is important to make a note of and report this pregnancy symptom, whether you're concerned or not. Apart from dizziness potentially red-flagging an underlying problem, your centre of gravity changes in pregnancy, and you are more prone to falls. Additional dizzy spells may mean you need more present support or to change your daily or activities, especially if you're a single mother.

On a related note, a 2019 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that fainting in pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester, may be linked to poor pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, so be sure to report any fainting or feeling faint too. Fainting happens when your brain is not getting enough blood and therefore enough oxygen. As we've mentioned, this can also be a sign of ectopic pregnancy, though this rarely remains undiagnosed after the first trimester.

What if I'm so dizzy that I fall or faint while pregnant?

Call your doctor or hospital if you fall and land on your bump or abdomen or injure your head, especially if you are bleeding, in pain, or your baby's movements change afterwards. Don't wait until your next antenatal appointment or the next day. It's extremely important to get checked out, and you are never bothering anyone.

For more advice on how to handle symptoms in every week of pregnancy, watch Dr. Shree Datta's Pregnancy Journey video course for Unii.

Why am I so dizzy in pregnancy?