Feeling dizzy

[Yael]

Hi,

I'm about 8 weeks into my 2nd pregnancy. For a few weeks now i've been feeling dizzy quite often, and have fallen over a few times. Not fainted, but just couldn't keep standing up and kind of had to let myself fall if that makes sense?

I know a few times its been because i've been so busy lately and haven't eaten or drunk very much, but other times i have and still feel that way.

I'm generally ok sitting down, but have it quite often standing up and need to hold onto things.

I don't know if i should start monitoring my BP. At the dr 2 weeks ago it was 145/63, when its normally around 110/(70-80)

But apparently a one off means nothing, and i have to do it constantly. Only rpobs is my dad and MIL both use their machines everyday, so i don't have one to borrow and they are expensive to buy.

Anyone know what this is caused from and if i can do something about it (when its not the food issue?).

I've heard its normal in pregnancy (don't remember this from last time, but i'm a lot more tired and busy this time around), so i haven't called the dr about it. Anyone else had this?

Thanks.

[MamaPan]

Hi Yael
I havent had that although i naturally have quite low blood pressure so i go get faint quite easily esp when blood sugars are low.
I would think if it is not a 1 off perhaps call your GP and ask them? It cant hurt to get their opinion although i have heard this is common in pg...
sorry not much help - hope feeling better
ps perhaps take some snacks in handbag for when v busy, i do that (muesli bar or something) and it helps.

[johT]

yup it normal to a degree in preg. i fainted before i knew i was preg with dd1.
but if it has happened a few times you should mention it to your doc incase it is blood pressure, or blood sugar?? or just not eating enough and rushing about .

I don't know if i should start monitoring my BP. At the dr 2 weeks ago it was 145/63, when its normally around 110/(70-80)

that sounds like quite a difference...

[*noni*e*]

i had it alot actually fell at work... i have heard iits to do with the veins opening up to let more blood through and it changes ur bp... best thing i found was just to sit down head between legs if that didn't make me feel like i was gonna puke and have a drink and a rest...

[Alan]

Hi Yael

Dizziness in early pregnancy is quite common and is cause by tour blood vessels expanding in preparation for the extra blood your body will make. However from what you say your dizziness seems a little excessive. I think you should go to the doctor and get it checked out

[SallyJ]

I had dizziness/lightheadedness for the first time with this pg at about the same stage as you. I had been very busy that week, I think it was my body's way of saying slow down. Had a day off work and it didn't return. Apparently it's quite common though.

[Yael]

Thanks for the advice everyone

I think i'll go to my GP this week

If it was just eating related, i would know its my fault, but at lot of times i've eaten and drunk that day (although i've never been one of those 2lt a day person, maybe i'll have to be!), and i've been resting, and i still get really dizzy.

When i'm out an about i'm so happy to have the pram to lean on!

I haven't fallen in a while (mainly cos i make myself sit down when its happening), but i don't know.

Alan - whats considered low BP? Is the 63 from my last one a concern? I might try to get a BP machine so i can monitor over a week or something.

[Alan]

Yael
The 63 is a little low but its not scary low.
You really should try to drink about 2 litres a day.
Make sure you are having a good diet I know this can be difficult with M/S

[Yael]

Ok,

So i was a little naughty and put off going to my GP.. (i know, i know)

Anyway, so still been feeling dizzy, and was dizzy this afternoon.. Was at our synagogue this evening, and there is an organisation in our community which is like an early response paramedic service (they don't transport you to hospital, but have a lot faster response times then an ambulance, and they are trained in emergancy medicine.. they have very good links with the ambos etc)

Anyway, somebody there is a member, so i ended up telling him about the issue as i had been dizzy for around 1.5hrs, and though i should see what my BP is etc.

He said he was less concerned with my bottom figure, and thought the top one would be causing the diziness. He took my pulse (80) and my BP was still at 150 (he didn't do the bottom figure). He did a blood glucose reading (5.5), and said in his opinion i should go to hospital and have it checked out.. he was going to call me and ambulance, but the thought of spending many hours in an emergancy department on a sat night wasn't my thing.

I still had D.A with me, so i told him i would go home, put the baby to bed, call my obs, and then organise a babysitter and go in if necessary.

So i've just spoken to my obs, he says this early on, pregnancy shouldn't be the cause of the diziness and high bp, and its probably due to something else, but he didn't think i needed to go to hospital...

So, if its not pregnancy, what is causing this? What should i do about it (other than see my GP first thing Monday morning)? Is this normal? there is a history of high BP in my family, so now i'm getting worried i'll end up having a heart attack or something.

Should i be overly concerned, or just a little??

[storm04]

i am 10 weeks 4 days and i have had shocking head spins lately, i havent had my bp tested though but know they my iron is horrible when i am pregnant and really low!
anyhow i feel like someone is also squeezing my temples someone has their hand on my head and squeezing its more migraine neck pain and head spins
doc told me it wouldnt be bp either so i am stressing as i have panic attacks so freak out when i feel off like this.
I know this sounds really dumb but i like have something salty usually like vegemite on a salada just a bite size peice even it tends to give me a kick i guess thats why i am thinking its my bp but seems not to be when i find out i will tell you hopefully u find out before i do i actually rang my doc today and they said you will be right..said it was pressure on my spine from bubs,,,.thinking i might get a good going over monday and a 2nd view on things seeing they havent even done a bp test

[Yael]

Hey Jen - i hope you feel better very soon... I haven't had headaches, just bad head spins where i feel unstable on my feet.

My iron levels were 100% normal 4 weeks ago.

My blood glucose was checked and was completely normal, so eating shouldn't have changed anything (i.e. i didn't need a sugar hit or anything).

I would get them to take your bp, is a very quick thing and it rules it out once and for all... I was just concered as mine has stayed quite high over the past 4 weeks... And if its not the baby i don't know what it is.

Good luck.

[storm04]

thanks yael this pregancy is soo different for me i am extra sick for some reason but i have given up smoking (about time) and its been about 6 weeks so thinking it could be withdrawls as well and i cant stand coffee at all anymore! I find mine is more food related that helps ease them but my sugars are ok
i just hope i dont feel like this the whole way thru i am sure your the same though, good luck you must be due around the same time as me
I can imagine your concern with the high bp though worth keeping an eye on

[Yael]

Ok

I've just come back from the GP. My BP is still 145/60 (and I wasn't even dizzy then).. She is quite concerned, as wants me to have it monitored every 2 days, so I’m back there Wed and then to my obs on Friday.

She didn't want to treat me, as she wants my obs to really be in charge, but she did want to refer me onto a physician who deals with issues during pregnancy, but i think she will wait and see how my obs wants to proceed.

She seemed to say it wasn't quite high enough to go on meds yet, but it has been elevated for quite a while and she was quite concerned that it will need constant monitoring and possibly medication... She did say thought that there wasn't much that she could give me for the dizziness that was safe..

I told her I was quite worried (but that I trusted her that not much could be done about it), especially as I fell over yesterday morning at the top step of our stairs and almost fell down the staircase (she seemed a little worried at this also). I'm just worried that something will happen while holding the baby, or driving the car etc etc. (especially as we know of a women who had BP issues and last week passed out whilst driving and was killed in the accident)

She also couldn't really say if this would continue on after the pregnancy.

She wants to me rest a lot this week, and possibly try and drop some subjects from my course (which isn't really so possible, but i might try for an extension on the exams)....

Can anyone give me some advice or reassurance? Or tell me what I could expect from here on in??

[MummaBear79]

Hi Yael,
I have had the same thing this pregnancy and I have found that drinking more water has helped alot. I still get it every now and again but mostly when I have forgotten to drink enough during the day.

[MamaPan]

Yael sorry I dont have any advice for you, I think you are doing the right thing to see Drs and def go see that specialist.

[ej_1974]

I wish I could give you some advice but not having suffered from this as my bp is low I don't have any comments to offer here.

You are definitely doing the right thing though seeing all the docs.

good luck and my thoughts are with you