Dizziness in pregnancy second trimester

Feeling faint after standing, waiting in a queue or lying flat can occur because pregnancy changes circulation and the uterus can affect blood return. Heat, vomiting, diarrhoea and limited fluid intake can make this worse. Anaemia and iron deficiency anaemia are possible contributors when dizziness accompanies fatigue, pale skin or breathlessness. A spinning sensation that follows head movement has a different pattern and can occur with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Note the setting, posture, food and drink beforehand, duration, palpitations and any associated pain. Those details help a clinician distinguish a circulation problem from an inner-ear, metabolic or heart-related issue.

Stop what you are doing and sit or lie on your side. Once steady, drink water in small amounts, eat a nourishing snack if you have not eaten, and move into a cooler place. Avoid lying flat on your back for long periods later in pregnancy, and bend your knees or sit before standing. Keep a note of repeated episodes and do not drive until your balance feels normal.

Get urgent help if dizziness occurs with fainting, a fall, chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache, new weakness, confusion, vision disturbance, vaginal bleeding or severe abdominal pain. Promptly contact your maternity service for ongoing vomiting, very little urine, a fast or irregular heartbeat, or symptoms that remain after rest and fluids. Headache, weakness, heavy sweating or confusion after heat exposure may indicate heat exhaustion.

Ask whether your blood pressure and blood count need checking, how to manage dizziness around meals or exercise, and whether any supplement or medicine should be adjusted. Mention every episode that caused near-fainting or affected walking.