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| |    Lightheadedness in Pregnancy by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. reviewed by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. As early as four weeks into their pregnancy, many women experience episodes of dizziness or lightheadedness. This can be alarming, especially if it happens frequently, but the good news is, the problem can be avoided with a few simple precautions. The trick is to figure out what triggers these episodes in the first case. Low blood sugar Many women notice that they feel dizzy and a little sick to their stomach when they don't eat frequently. In addition, they may feel weak and see dark spots or have other vision problems. If this sounds familiar, you're probably suffering from low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Since this usually occurs when you haven't eaten recently, the fix is obvious: Drink a glass of juice or eat a piece of fruit or some form of healthy carbohydrate (like a piece of whole wheat bread) as soon as you feel lightheaded. If these symptoms are a regular annoyance, you'll have to plan your mealtimes a little more carefully. Be sure to eat something first thing in the morning, and eat several small meals or healthy snacks that include some protein (to help sustain a steady blood-sugar level) throughout the day. Low blood pressure Pregnancy causes blood to pool in an expectant mom's legs, which in turn makes less blood available to her brain. Because of this, her blood pressure can drop abruptly and leave her feeling faint when she rises from a lying or sitting position. Standing for a long time can be problematic as well, and a warm environment often makes the situation worse. As with low blood sugar, she may experience vision problems as well. To avoid low blood pressure, drink plenty of fluids, rise slowly when you get out of bed or a chair, and take cooler showers. Support hose can make a huge difference, especially if your work requires you to stand for long periods of time. When standing, contract your calf muscles and move in position slightly to help pump the blood from your legs back up to your heart and brain. Dress in layers, so you can shed some clothes to prevent overheating. Your first instinct when feeling dizzy may be to search out a bathroom or other private area where you can sit down and get your bearings. Unfortunately, this is a bad idea, because you might faint and hurt yourself before you get there. If you suddenly feel lightheaded, sit or lie down wherever you are, even if it causes you some embarrassment--better that than to lose consciousness and fall down. Keep your head level with your heart, and ask for a cool compress if help is present. If a seat isn't available, lie on your side or sit on the floor with your head between your legs, and before you know it, you'll feel better. When to contact your healthcare provider Fainting while pregnant is not a common occurrence. If you actually pass out, tell your practitioner about it at your next prenatal visit. If you faint more than once or feel lightheaded every day, alert your doctor as soon as possible. If you fall down while pregnant after the 20-week mark, an office or hospital evaluation may be necessary to make sure that the baby is OK--call your healthcare practitioner and let him assess the situation.
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