From the Guidelines
Dizziness and cramping can be normal symptoms during pregnancy, but persistent dizziness or severe cramping warrant immediate medical attention. According to the 2019 Canadian guideline for physical activity throughout pregnancy 1, persistent dizziness or faintness that does not resolve on rest is a reason to stop physical activity and consult a healthcare provider. Dizziness commonly occurs due to hormonal changes that cause blood vessels to dilate, leading to lower blood pressure. Additionally, the growing uterus can put pressure on blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the brain.
- Mild cramping, especially in early pregnancy, often results from the uterus expanding to accommodate the growing fetus.
- These cramps, sometimes called round ligament pain, typically feel like mild menstrual cramps. To manage dizziness, pregnant women should:
- Change positions slowly
- Stay hydrated
- Eat regular small meals
- Avoid standing for long periods For cramping, rest, gentle stretching, and a warm (not hot) compress may help. However, severe cramping with bleeding, persistent dizziness, fainting spells, or severe headaches warrant immediate medical attention as these could indicate complications such as ectopic pregnancy or preeclampsia. Regular prenatal care is essential to monitor these and other pregnancy symptoms, as suggested by the guidelines 1.
From the Research
Symptoms of Pregnancy
- The studies provided do not directly address dizziness and cramping as normal symptoms of pregnancy 2, 3, 4, 5.
- However, one study mentions that a wide range of symptoms involving most body systems were reported by pregnant women, including frequency of micturition, fatigue, pelvic pressure, insomnia, and lower backache 3.
- Another study lists the top three most reported complaints as nausea-vomiting, fatigue, and breast pain-tenderness during the first trimester, and polyuria, fatigue, and heart burn during the second and third trimesters 6.
- It can be inferred that pregnancy is associated with various physical symptoms, but dizziness and cramping are not explicitly mentioned as common symptoms in these studies.
Management of Pregnancy-Related Symptoms
- Pregnant women often avoid taking medications due to fear of harming the fetus and instead practice nonpharmacological methods to manage their symptoms 6.
- The majority of women do not take any action to alleviate their physical symptoms, and their knowledge is often based on previous experience and that of close relatives 6.
- Midwives and nurses should educate pregnant women on appropriate practices to manage their symptoms, as incorrect practices can be determined through questioning 6.