Fainting during pregnancy: in the early stages, 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester

A desired pregnancy gives every woman a feeling of happiness and incredible delight. Expecting a baby is always very joyful, but at the same time, exciting. A woman’s good health while carrying a child is the main sign that everything is going as it should. However, pregnancy can present unpleasant surprises to the expectant mother. One of these moments is fainting, which can make a woman worry. In fact, everything is not so scary, and there is no need to panic. The main thing is to study your condition, understand the reasons for its appearance and be prepared for it. In this case, the pregnancy will proceed smoothly.

Possible causes of fainting in pregnant women

Loss of consciousness in a woman who is expecting a child indicates that the brain is supplied with insufficient amounts of oxygen. This condition can be a single episode or become systematic.

Loss of consciousness during pregnancy is a consequence of such possible causes as:

overwork;
staying in stuffy rooms, crowded places;
heat stroke due to prolonged exposure to the sun;
sudden changes in body position;
increased physical activity;
nervous tension;
taking a bath with too hot water;
a sharp decrease in blood sugar levels;
presence of vaginal or internal bleeding;
toxicosis, accompanied by significant fluid losses and deterioration of blood supply to blood vessels;
enlargement of the uterus, which changes size along with the growth of the fetus (when this happens, the organ begins to compress large blood vessels, due to which blood circulation becomes worse and the process of its delivery to the brain slows down);
the presence of pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
low blood pressure, which is associated with a decrease in vascular tone and ongoing hormonal changes;
vegetative-vascular dystonia during exacerbation;
cysts in the brain: benign cavitary tumors put pressure on the blood vessels of the brain, which contributes to hypoxia - insufficient oxygen supply to the brain - and fainting;
severe anemia associated with a decrease in hemoglobin content in the blood;
exacerbation of an existing chronic disease of an organ or body system.

Before losing consciousness, a woman feels dizziness, weakness throughout the body, darkening of the eyes, and tinnitus. There is also increased sweating, pale skin, chills or, conversely, fever. Another distinctive feature is a confused appearance.

With toxicosis, fainting most often occurs in the early stages of pregnancy and is a normal variant. In the second and third trimester, loss of consciousness does not bother a healthy pregnant woman.

First aid

What to do if fainting occurs during pregnancy? First of all, you need to call a doctor. If the doctor takes longer than usual to arrive, it is better to provide first aid yourself.

At the first stage, a pregnant woman will need a bed or any other soft surface without a pillow. The head should be raised. To increase blood flow, it is recommended to place something under your feet.

Next, it is important to ventilate the room as much as possible (an influx of fresh air is necessary). Clothes can be unbuttoned. A cotton pad is moistened with ammonia, and the temples are lubricated with it. If there is such a need, then it is better to let the girl inhale the vapors of the product herself.

When the pregnant woman regains consciousness, it is recommended that she be offered boiled water with the addition of a few drops of valerian or sweet tea.

It is strictly forbidden to give nitroglycerin. It helps lower blood pressure (hypotensive effect). The doctor may prescribe an examination, after which placement in a hospital for treatment is possible.

Danger of fainting during pregnancy

If loss of consciousness is associated with hormonal changes in the body, there is no cause for concern, but the condition of a pregnant woman must be monitored by a doctor. The degree of danger posed by such a phenomenon is determined by the cause of fainting.

In itself, loss of consciousness during pregnancy does not cause adverse consequences: the causes that provoke periodic fainting pose a threat:

Loss of consciousness associated with increased blood pressure adversely affects the course of pregnancy and fetal development. Consequences: threat of miscarriage, development of preeclampsia, miscarriage.
If fainting is a consequence of a carbohydrate metabolism disorder caused by diabetes mellitus, then there is a risk of miscarriage, defects and abnormalities in the intrauterine development of the fetus.
Fainting creates conditions for falls and bruises, which increases the risk of miscarriage and the expectant mother receiving dangerous injuries and fractures. But in practice: the fact that a woman faints extremely rarely leads to pregnancy loss.

Considering the danger of fainting in pregnant women, a woman should contact a specialist as soon as the first warning signs appear.

Is it possible to somehow regulate the occurrence of fainting conditions?

There is a group of women who, under no circumstances, want to go to the hospital, so they keep silent about their condition and do not report symptoms to the gynecologist who is managing their pregnancy. It seems to them that there is enough information on the Internet to diagnose themselves, learn how to stop fainting, and then live with their problem alone. Such behavior is a crime, primarily against the baby, who remains a victim of the mother’s irresponsible attitude. In addition, the woman risks her health, since it is completely unknown why the fainting began and continues to test her strength.

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Only in the case of a complete examination, which turns out that there are no pathologies leading to such a condition, and also that there are no chronic or hormonal diseases, can one cope with a short-term loss of consciousness caused by low blood pressure within the walls of one’s own home. In any case, no matter where the treatment is carried out - at home or in the clinic, it will not be possible to solve the problem as a whole - the pressure normalizes only after childbirth. However, alleviating the condition, reducing and even eliminating attacks is a completely solvable task. If a woman, as a result of all the measures taken, feels satisfactory (or generally good), then the goal is considered achieved.

First aid for a pregnant woman in case of loss of consciousness

It is important for a pregnant woman who has lost consciousness to quickly provide first aid, regardless of the reason that provoked this condition. To do this you need:

if possible, lay her on the bed so that her legs are positioned slightly elevated, or sit her on a chair, lower her head down (closer to her knees) and put a cold wet cloth on her neck/forehead;
if this cannot be done, then the woman should be seated so that there is support for her back and cool water should be sprinkled on her face;
clothes, if they have buttons, unbutton them;
open the windows in the room, providing access to fresh air, and in case of heat stroke, take them to the shade;
bring ammonia to the pregnant woman’s nose, applying it to a cotton swab or piece of cloth (but not close, at a distance of about 5 cm from the nose);
give a glass of sweet tea to drink when the woman comes to her senses, or give her some candy or chocolate to eat.

If a pregnant woman faints for several minutes, an ambulance should be called.

Treatment of fainting conditions

The information below is taken from official sources of medical institutions.

Methods and methods that reduce the likelihood of fainting are approved by the world's leading experts in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. The latter guarantee that such treatment has stood the test of time, which means it is effective and safe for both the woman and the fetus.

However, there are exceptions to every rule, which means that there is still a risk of contraindications to such measures, although they are negligible. But no one has the right to risk the life of a baby, therefore, before taking at least some measures, even at first glance, that are safe, you need to additionally consult a doctor and find out whether this particular method is right for you.

Treatment of regular fainting during pregnancy

Regular fainting, which is repeated more and more often, is a reason to immediately consult a specialist. Particularly dangerous are conditions that are accompanied by heart rhythm disturbances, ringing in the ears, and severe pain in the head.

To find out the cause of such an alarming sign, the specialist sends the pregnant woman for diagnostic procedures to study the cardiovascular and nervous systems, and blood composition. The following diagnostic methods are required:

collecting anamnesis, detailing complaints;
visual inspection;
detailed blood test;
general urine analysis;
electrocardiogram;
Ultrasound of the fetus.

The treatment tactics for a pregnant woman depend on the results of diagnostic measures:

If fainting is caused by a lack of nutrients in the body, the diet should be reviewed. The daily caloric intake for pregnant women should be about 2500-3000 calories.
If anemia is detected, a woman is prescribed iron supplements to increase hemoglobin in the blood. In addition to iron, such medicines also include vitamins (most often these are B vitamins), as well as some microelements. Read more about how to treat iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy here.
If blood pressure is unstable, medications are prescribed to lower or increase it. Read more about the causes of low blood pressure and ways to increase it here.

To improve the general condition of a pregnant woman, physical therapy, aromatherapy, visiting the pool, and oxygen cocktails may be recommended. On the recommendation of a doctor, a woman can drink herbal teas based on rose hips and strawberry leaves in order to stabilize blood pressure.

Preventing fainting

As you already understand, it is better not to treat fainting, but to exclude its occurrence. At the same time, prevention of fainting should begin in the first weeks of pregnancy. Only then will you be able to minimize the likelihood of such an unpleasant situation occurring.

Preventing fainting will only help if its occurrence is not associated with serious illnesses. Therefore, if you experience fainting repeatedly, get examined by a doctor.

To avoid the occurrence of fainting, you need to try to eliminate all the causes of its occurrence. Let's see how to do this.

Methods for preventing fainting:

First of all, you need to eliminate situations in which oxygen starvation may occur. To do this, avoid crowded places, do not go to places where anything is being painted, and try to ventilate your apartment as often as possible.
Try to provide yourself with moderate physical activity. To do this, you can take frequent walks or enroll in a course of special exercises for pregnant women.
If you work in an interesting position, try not to sit in one position for a long time. Constantly stretch your arms and legs, make circular movements with your head.
Don't suddenly get out of bed. First you need to sit down and get used to this position, and only then get up.
Don't take too long breaks between meals. Try to eat at least five small meals a day.

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These tips will help you prevent fainting. If you follow all the recommendations. But if you still lose consciousness periodically, consult a doctor immediately.

Prevention of loss of consciousness during pregnancy

To avoid fainting during pregnancy, you need to follow a number of tips:

It is recommended to organize your diet in such a way that meals are regular and there are no long breaks between them. Protein foods, grains, vegetables and fruits should predominate. Pregnant women are advised to pay attention to rabbit meat - it contains the least amount of fat, which negatively affects the condition of blood vessels. And red meat (beef, veal) contains a lot of iron, which is necessary to maintain normal hemoglobin levels in the blood. Under no circumstances should you starve, even if your weight is rapidly increasing.
It is necessary to avoid both excessive physical activity and physical inactivity. Therefore, you need to regularly do morning exercises and do physical exercises for pregnant women 2-3 times a week.
It is important to drink enough fluid - about 2 liters. This volume can include not only pure water, but also green tea, natural juices, and fruit drinks.
Swimming in the pool and taking a cool shower also help avoid fainting during pregnancy.
A woman who is expecting a child should avoid stuffy, crowded places, especially public transport. Instead of traveling in it, you should take long walks in the fresh air.
Any sudden movements should be avoided. Even when getting out of bed, you should be careful: first roll over on your side, and only then put your feet on the floor.
It is important to avoid prolonged stay of the body in one position, especially uncomfortable ones. It is advisable to perform simple breathing exercises and warm up your muscles with light exercises that avoid sudden movements.
During pregnancy, taking hot baths is under no circumstances allowed, and you should not steam your feet either: high temperatures affect the movement of blood through the vessels, and a strong blood flow to some organs can become dangerous, because a pregnant woman’s organs are already under a lot of stress.
It is necessary to avoid stressful situations, not to focus on imaginary problems, and to refuse to watch videos with shocking content.
It is important to ensure proper rest: the expectant mother should rest about 12 hours a day and no less than 8.
Under no circumstances should you wear tight clothing, which compresses blood vessels and has a negative effect on the fetus. Even compression garments and tummy bands are worn only for a certain amount of time during the day.
It is necessary to ensure that the body does not become overcooled or overheated. This is why it is important to dress for the weather.
The room in which a pregnant woman lives must be regularly ventilated.
Strong, persistent odors should be avoided whenever possible. It is recommended to carry ammonia with you, which will help you come to your senses if you are about to faint.

Loss of consciousness during pregnancy is common. It can be caused by both relatively harmless reasons and serious pathological conditions of the organs and systems of the body. If a pregnant woman experiences repeated fainting, she should consult a doctor and find out the cause of this condition in order to avoid dangerous consequences.

Natural and synthetic medicines

Herbs only seem safe at first glance. If you think about it, why do plants heal? Because they contain substances that have a direct or indirect effect on the disease itself or its symptoms. And since synthetic drugs have exactly the same effect as natural ones, the question arises: what is the difference between natural and synthetic ones. Absolutely none, except that some are produced by nature itself, and others in the laboratory. The only difference is that the concentration of these components in herbal medicines is an order of magnitude lower than in medicines.

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The assertion that everything natural is healthy and can be consumed without fear is deeply erroneous. Yes, infusions and decoctions may not cause such strong side effects as medications, however, with prolonged use, a negative reaction will still appear. Moreover, if a pregnant woman decides to take the infusion, when her body’s reaction even to harmless remedies that she herself has long tested can be completely unpredictable.

In addition, during pregnancy the body begins to react to external influences with the manifestation of allergic reactions. And herbs are quite strong allergens.

Therefore, before taking “safe” infusions, tell your doctor. It is quite possible that these are the herbs you should not take.

If you decide to trust natural medicines, then pregnant women have one safe option that you can prepare yourself, namely a mixture:

St. John's wort;
Strawberry leaves;
Rosehip berries.

Place equal amounts of the three components in a thermos, pour boiling water, close and leave to infuse for at least 6 hours. Then strain off the liquid part and drink half a glass 15 minutes before meals.

If you don’t want to prepare a mixture of herbs yourself, buy it ready-made at the pharmacy. It is better to buy at a pharmacy because no one can guarantee the quality of weed purchased secondhand. It is unknown where and who collected them, even a harmless-looking granny could pick the same rose hips in a park in the middle of the city. In addition, do not forget that the pharmacist's advice is not enough to apply the fee. The pharmacist’s job is to tell you how the drug works, and not to advise you to buy it. A doctor and only a doctor can and should prescribe such infusions.

In addition to herbal infusions, you can choose an alcohol extract of any individual herbal remedy. For example, taking 30 drops twice a day of Aralia tincture will normalize blood pressure and stop dizziness. It should be taken on an empty stomach to allow it to be quickly absorbed into the blood.

Eleutherococcus tincture also brings blood pressure levels back to normal. Additionally, it normalizes hemoglobin levels if they are low. Not many people know that the best results when taking eleutherococcus will be if taken with milk. To do this, add 10 drops of the extract to a third of a glass of milk and drink immediately before meals. If you consume this cocktail three times a day for 10 days, the result will be fully felt.

Well, such an exotic remedy for our area is an extract from reindeer antlers. As the manufacturer writes in the instructions, there are no contraindications for its use. But still, consult your doctor. The same instructions give the recommended dosage regimen: morning-afternoon-evening – 1-2-1 tablets. You can take it during meals, after, or before, the meaning is the same.

Causes of hypotension during pregnancy

With the onset of pregnancy, the hormonal background in a woman’s body changes completely, and the functioning of all body systems and internal organs changes accordingly. Hypotension or decreased blood pressure occurs in every tenth woman during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, a woman’s blood volume almost doubles, and a third circle of blood circulation is formed, supplying the baby with all the nutrients and oxygen along with the blood. Therefore, a girl whose blood pressure was normal before pregnancy may experience frequent drops during pregnancy.

In order to provide the baby with blood, the heart begins to pump out more blood with each contraction. Due to this load, the heart and the thickness of its walls become larger in size, and from 20-24 weeks of pregnancy the heart begins to work more rhythmically, contractions increase. If at the beginning of pregnancy in the 1st and 2nd trimesters, due to the greater load on the heart, the vessels become more relaxed, which leads to a decrease in blood pressure, then in the 3rd trimester the work of the heart and vascular tone returns to normal.

If a woman had low blood pressure before pregnancy and felt good at that time, then during pregnancy the pressure can drop sharply, which will lead to a deterioration in her well-being, and the woman’s body will be poorly supplied with blood. And this is fraught with a decrease in the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the child through the mother’s blood. If you had low blood pressure before pregnancy, be sure to tell your doctor about it and carefully monitor your blood pressure, otherwise it could result in bad consequences for the baby, premature birth, or even a miscarriage.

Such a disease can and should be treated, or carefully monitor the pressure and maintain it at a normal level. It is not necessary to go to the hospital. If a woman’s condition is more or less normal, then it is possible to prevent this disease at home. Be sure to watch your lifestyle, this is the most important point.