Dizziness

Dizziness during pregnancy: Normal or warning sign?

A feeling of light "fog" in the head or sudden dizziness, especially when changing body position, is quite common during pregnancy. In most cases it is a physiological norm related to the extensive remodeling of your cardiovascular system.

Why does dizziness occur?

• Hormonal changes. Progesterone relaxes and dilates the walls of blood vessels. This leads to a drop in blood pressure (hypotension), especially in the first and second trimesters.
• Uterine pressure. In later stages, when you lie on your back, the enlarged uterus can compress the inferior vena cava, making it harder for blood to return to the heart and causing dizziness.
• Low blood sugar. Long gaps between meals can cause a drop in blood glucose levels.
• Anemia. Iron deficiency leading to anemia means the blood carries less oxygen, which can also cause dizziness.

Orthostatic hypotension: Enemy of sudden movements

Most often dizziness manifests as orthostatic (postural) hypotension. This is a condition where blood pressure drops sharply when changing body position from horizontal or sitting to standing. Gravity causes blood to "pool" away from the head, and the relaxed vessels do not constrict quickly enough to compensate. The result – sudden dizziness, "darkening of vision" or even brief loss of consciousness. That’s why the main recommendation is to move smoothly.

It is important to distinguish mild physiological dizziness from symptoms that require a doctor's attention, especially if it is accompanied by severe headache or visual disturbances. You can read about other physical changes in our guide.