Dizziness

[Kif]

I'm 23 weeks preganant. I've been feeling very dizzy and lightheaded in the office the ast few weeks. Today for the last ninety minutes it's been especially bad - dizzy like 'hope I don't fall over and pass out'. I've eaten my lunch and had a cup of tea which seems to be making it better (notice that not snacking makes it worse). Tried sitting in the loo with my head between my knees but can no longer bend over that far! At home I get tired, but never dizzy.

Anyone had this? Any tips to make it better? I've read on google that it's 'mostly harmless' and prob to do with low blood pressure (I measured mine on a home monitor and got something like 98 over 56).

I haven't been to the docs - and off on hols in 2 days - so down to good old combined power of mumsnet and google to answer my questions...

[Kif]

bump

[PrettyCandles]

It doesn't sound like you're drinking enough. Home monitors can be quite inaccurate, but if that's correct then it's very low. Drink drink drink lots of water. Have a bottle with you and keep sipping.

Try to avoid tea/coffe/cola as the caffeine can actually dehydrate you, and IME if you're at all sensitive to caffeine it can lead to dizzy spells.

You should be weeing every at least every couple of hours, and the wee should be no darker than palest yellow.

[lucy5]

I would go to the doctors just to be sure. I get dizzy spells but not for as long as you, i've found grazing throughout the day helps. Hope you feel better soon.

[lucy5]

oops, sorry didnt read the first line about snacking.

[Kif]

Perhaps caffeine is the clue - I do make fair use of the free tea machine at work - won't drink more than the odd can of coke at home. Never thought of that.

The doc can see me on a last minute cancellation, so I think I'll get it checked out. Knowing french doctor - if I had to see one on holiday I'd end up medicated to the eyeballs!

Thanks PC and lucy.

[miasmummy]

hi i have low blood pressure with this pregnancy, i am 19 weeks and it is made worse witht this hot weather. I have an arm cuff home blood pressure monitor and have used it at the doctors to compare accuracy and mine was quite accurate. If it is low blood pressure then there is nothing can be done but my doc told me to eat little and often so that blood sugars dont make it worse.Hope you enjoy your hols

[PrettyCandles]

I don't know whether this holds true for low BP in pregnancy, but my aunt (a nurse) encourages my parents/grandparents to drink more water if they have serious dips in their BP.