Dizziness at 20 weeks of pregnancy: what to know

At around the middle of pregnancy, standing quickly, staying in a warm room, lying flat for a long time, missing a meal or drinking too little can bring on lightheadedness. A spinning sensation can have an inner-ear cause such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Anaemia or iron deficiency anaemia may cause tiredness and faintness. Dizziness alone cannot identify the cause, so note whether it follows a position change and whether headache, vision changes, pain or palpitations occur.

Stop what you are doing and sit or lie on your side. Move away from heat, loosen clothing and take slow breaths. When the feeling settles, drink water and have a snack if you have not eaten. Change position gradually, avoid long periods of standing and do not drive while dizzy. Tell your midwife or obstetric team if episodes repeat, even when they settle quickly.

Contact maternity care promptly for dizziness with severe headache, blurred vision or flashing lights, upper abdominal pain, sudden swelling, vaginal bleeding, fluid leakage, reduced fetal movement, chest pain or breathlessness. Emergency help is needed for collapse, confusion, one-sided weakness, trouble speaking or severe ongoing symptoms.

Should my blood pressure, urine, blood count or iron be checked? Is my hydration and meal pattern adequate? Which symptoms should take me directly to maternity triage?