Pregnancy is undoubtedly a magical time, eagerly anticipated by most women who dream of motherhood. The experience of creating life in your own womb and carrying a baby for 9 months, who you will soon hold in your arms and call your child for the rest of your life, is truly fascinating.a00aAnd for all these changes to happen, the woman’s body goes through numerous changes during this period, and it’s common to experience some discomforts like fainting, insomnia, blood pressure fluctuations, as well as hormonal changes that directly affect mood and well-being1.0a0a

When Should You Be Concerned?

0a0aIf the symptoms are temporary and are under control, there is no reason for concern. All these discomforts are expected and are within what is considered normal. However, if any discomfort persists, it is best to see your doctor for an evaluation.0a0aIf in doubt, getting a specialist’s opinion can help, and you’ll also feel more at ease knowing everything is fine with your baby.0a0aFind out which of these symptoms are most common and learn how to deal with them day-to-day, so you can ensure your pregnancy is as peaceful and healthy as possible, letting you enjoy this special moment without any worries about your health.0a0a

What Can Cause Fainting During Pregnancy?

0a0aSome factors can cause dizziness, vertigo, and even fainting during pregnancy. Excessive heat can cause bad feelings and that sense of weakness. Avoid staying in the sun for many hours, try to sit down whenever possible and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.0a0aStaying in places with poor air circulation or with crowds of people can also be unfavorable during pregnancy. If it’s unavoidable and you don’t feel well in such a situation, try to step outside for fresh air, sit down, and breathe slowly and deeply.0a0aRemember, if the discomfort is under control and passes quickly, there is no need for major concern, but you should take precautions so it doesn’t lead to fainting or other complications.0a0aIt’s also common for pregnant women to feel vertigo, often because they have gone too long without eating; blood glucose levels2 drop and cause this discomfort, which can in some cases lead to fainting.0a0aDon’t forget to eat well and include more natural foods in your diet. The baby is developing and all your nutrients are being shared. Take seriously the recommendation to eat small, frequent meals throughout the day, to avoid going long periods without food and to prevent this type of discomfort.0a0aAlso, getting up too quickly from bed can give you a feeling of faintness (postural hypotension). This happens because the blood doesn’t have time to reach the brain, causing dizziness. Don’t rush when getting up, move naturally.0a0a

Low Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

0a0aAmong all the causes that can lead to fainting, one can actually be more concerning if not controlled: low blood pressure. At the beginning of pregnancy, blood pressure tends to be lower anyway due to hormonal changes that relax the blood vessels, and also because of the increased need for blood flow in the mother’s circulatory system to now supply both the placenta and the baby3.0a0a

Risks

0a0aLow blood pressure can cause fainting, which is not serious in itself, but what is concerning about fainting is if it leads to a fall, and mom risks getting hurt or even harming the pregnancy.0a0aStay alert and take care to avoid these problems. Also, just to reiterate, if they occur frequently, it is always best to see your doctor so they can check your blood pressure and make sure everything is fine with you and your baby. 0a0a

How to Know if Your Blood Pressure Is Low

0a0aWhen blood pressure drops, pregnant women may feel weakness, dizziness, headaches, blurred vision and can even faint. With these symptoms, low blood pressure can be diagnosed, which should be confirmed by measuring blood pressure.0a0aIn general, this condition doesn’t usually cause harm to mother or baby, but it’s important to check the frequency, and if necessary, see your doctor to determine whether it is only caused by hormonal changes (common in pregnancy) or if there are other causes that need specific treatment.0a0aWhen it comes to blood pressure, it is actually more complicated and dangerous to have problems with high blood pressure during pregnancy than with low blood pressure. Hypertension can pose serious risks to both mother and baby, and in some cases, the delivery may need to be induced early to preserve the well-being of both.0a0a

How to Prevent Low Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

0a0aThere are some precautions every pregnant woman can take to avoid drops in blood pressure. A few tips can help keep your blood pressure under control, minimizing the common discomforts during pregnancy:0a

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  • Always carry a snack in your bag in case you go a longer period without meals (a mix of nuts and seeds is a good option).

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  • Avoid very hot environments without air circulation

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  • Don’t change positions abruptly. Get up slowly to avoid dizziness

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  • Check with your doctor if any medication you’re taking has low blood pressure as a side effect.

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  • Avoid drinks like coffee, sodas, and alcohol.

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  • Do light but regular exercise, as it helps a lot with good blood circulation and blood pressure control.

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  • Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Besides hydrating, it helps prevent low blood pressure

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0aTake good care of yourself to prevent hypotension during pregnancy. But don’t forget to consult your doctor about any symptom that concerns you. This way, you’ll feel more at ease, be able to deal with any discomfort, and stay strong and happy to enjoy pregnancy as you wait for your baby, who will soon be in your arms.0a0aSee Also: Preeclampsia 013; What It Is and How to Prevent It0aPhoto: pedroserapio0a0a0a