Meniere's disease and pregnancy: what to know

Meniere's disease involves the inner ear and can cause attacks of vertigo, ringing, hearing loss and pressure. Pregnancy-related changes in fluid balance, sleep, stress and migraine patterns may alter how symptoms feel, but a new symptom should not automatically be attributed to Meniere's disease. Dizziness in pregnancy can also have other causes, including low blood pressure, anaemia or dehydration. Your clinician can assess the pattern and review your diagnosis.

Tell your GP, obstetric team and ear specialist that you are pregnant or planning pregnancy before starting, stopping or changing medicine. Keep a diary of attacks, food and fluid patterns, hearing changes and triggers. Rise slowly, keep pathways clear and sit down as soon as spinning begins. Ask which medicines and dietary changes are appropriate for you; do not self-treat with leftover prescriptions or supplements. A hearing test may help track changes when hearing is affected.

Get urgent help for fainting, chest pain, severe breathlessness, one-sided weakness, trouble speaking, a severe headache, sudden hearing loss or vertigo that prevents safe walking. Contact your maternity team promptly for persistent vomiting, inability to keep fluids down, vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain or reduced fetal movement when that is relevant to your stage of pregnancy.

Ask which symptoms fit Meniere's disease, which medicines are suitable in pregnancy or breastfeeding, and whether you need an ear assessment or hearing test. Make a plan for getting help if an attack happens while you are alone.