Fainting in pregnancy

Fainting during pregnancy is a sudden loss of consciousness in a pregnant woman, associated precisely with changes in the body during this period. This symptom often makes women worry about their health. This condition is most common in the first trimester, but this pathology is also possible at other times. There may be many reasons for this condition, so the approach to diagnosis and treatment should be differentiated.

Causes fainting in pregnancy

Very often, poor health, and especially fainting, are associated with pregnancy. But one should not think of pregnancy as a pathological condition. Pregnancy is a normal physiological process when a woman's body adapts to a new life inside itself. At the same time, all the changes that occur in the body of a pregnant woman are aimed at maintaining the normal functioning of the woman's organs and systems, as well as at maximizing sufficient growth and development of fetal tissues. Therefore, to understand the causes and pathogenesis of fainting, it is necessary to know that all processes are physiological, but there is a limit when fainting can be caused by a serious pathology.

Very often, fainting is the very sign of pregnancy, or rather the first of the symptoms. This happens in the early stages, when the fetus is just beginning to develop and the woman may not know about the pregnancy. At the same time, the body itself is not ready for such changes, which is why this phenomenon occurs.

The most common cause of fainting during pregnancy is insufficient blood circulation and blood flow to the brain, which causes its hypoxia. This occurs because in the early stages of pregnancy, the fetal blood circulation is not formed sufficiently - a new circle of blood circulation is formed. As a result, a gradual adaptation of the woman's body to this type of blood circulation occurs. At the same time, the number of formed elements of the blood gradually increases, mainly erythrocytes, which perform the respiratory function. The number of peripheral vessels and small capillaries that provide blood circulation to peripheral organs with relative insufficiency also increases. This is how centralization of blood circulation occurs with predominant blood supply to the main organs, as well as for normal blood circulation of the fetus. But at the beginning of pregnancy, the mechanisms regulating this process are still insufficient and imperfect, so the brain can be robbed, which is accompanied by fainting.

The causes of fainting during pregnancy can be more serious, this applies to those cases when this symptom occurs in the late stages of pregnancy. One of such etiological factors can be anemia, which develops with insufficient iron intake and simultaneous increased need for it. In this case, there may be symptoms of circulatory failure due to a deficiency of red blood cells.

The third trimester of pregnancy can often be accompanied by late gestosis. The most common cause of this process is high blood pressure. This can be the reason for a woman's fainting in the late stages of pregnancy precisely because of a sharp rise in blood pressure. This phenomenon is called preeclampsia, which has different degrees of severity, depending on other manifestations.

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Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis of fainting during pregnancy may also be associated with relative adrenal insufficiency. Under normal conditions, the adrenal glands provide the release of catecholamines in response to a critical situation, which is accompanied by spasm of the arteries and increased pressure. During pregnancy, there may be insufficient adrenal function due to the fact that hormones are also necessary for the fetus. Therefore, in a critical situation, when there is expansion of peripheral vessels, there is not enough concentration of adrenaline and noradrenaline, which leads to vascular atony and a drop in blood pressure. This can manifest itself in fainting. But not all women have such problems. It also depends on the risk factors that a woman has. Such risk factors include:

1. low maternal weight and low body mass index – this increases the chances of developing anemia and circulatory failure due to reduced reserves for nutrition and growth of the fetus;
2. anemia before pregnancy or inadequate nutritional intake of a woman during pregnancy - this increases the likelihood of developing anemia, and as a consequence, symptoms such as fainting;
3. concomitant chronic diseases that reduce the body's reactivity and resistance to infections;
4. diseases of the circulatory system – arterial hypotension, increased vagal innervation, heart pathology with blockages and heart rhythm disturbances;
5. thyroid pathology in the form of hypothyroidism.

All these conditions can further cause the development of changes that will lead to fainting. Pathogenetic mechanisms of fainting development in different situations must be taken into account, because sometimes there is no need for treatment.

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Symptoms fainting in pregnancy

Fainting during pregnancy may be the only symptom that does not manifest itself so often, then there is no need to think about any pathological processes. But often fainting is accompanied by other manifestations that need to be taken into account to identify the cause and possible correction of this condition.

The first signs before fainting may be in the form of some changes that occur a few seconds before the loss of consciousness. Most often, slight dizziness and flickering of midges before the eyes occur, and only then fainting. Further, the features of the symptoms of fainting depend on the cause.

If fainting occurs due to anemia, then one can detect paleness of the skin, slight blueness of the sclera, as well as non-specific symptoms in the form of dizziness, headache, weakness, decreased performance. Dizziness and fainting during pregnancy are the most common symptoms of anemia. Additional symptoms that may be present are palpitations or heart failure.

Fainting during early pregnancy is more common in the morning, on an empty stomach, when there is not enough energy for the brain, and a relative state of hypoglycemia occurs. Then the symptoms develop quickly, and this is often accompanied by sweating, tremors of the limbs.

Fainting in late pregnancy should be a warning sign, as it is a symptom of serious pathological conditions. If fainting is frequent and accompanied by other cardiac manifestations, then it is necessary to think about cardiac pathology. In this case, there may be palpitations, shortness of breath, edema - serious symptoms that may indicate the need for immediate assistance. In this case, high blood pressure is determined, which is clinically manifested by a feeling of heat in the face, headache, anxiety. Such symptoms are symptoms of late gestosis and therefore require immediate treatment.

Therefore, when talking about fainting in the early stages of pregnancy, they can usually happen several times and are not specific pathological manifestations, but in later stages it is necessary to pay attention to any such symptoms.

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Complications and consequences

Complications that arise immediately in the acute period of fainting are a sharp insufficiency of fetal blood circulation. If such fainting is repeated, then chronic fetal hypoxia may develop. Such a complication leads to dystrophic processes in the placenta, which causes such disorders.

The consequence of fainting can be a sharp blow and injury to the woman, which in the third trimester can cause premature birth or placental abruption. Therefore, pregnant women should monitor their health twice as much and prevent such conditions.

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Diagnostics fainting in pregnancy

Diagnosis of fainting, if it occurs repeatedly without any apparent reason, should be carried out as early as possible and the main goal of such an examination is to identify the cause of this condition.

It is necessary to start with the woman's medical history and find out how long the pregnancy is and how previous pregnancies proceeded. It is necessary to detail the complaints and find out under what conditions fainting occurs, whether there are any provoking factors, as well as the lifestyle of the pregnant woman. After all, regular nutrition and sufficient caloric intake, as well as rest and the exclusion of stress factors are very important during this period. This is very important, since these are the reasons that can play a priority role in the fainting condition.

When examining a woman, non-specific manifestations can be seen that can suggest the cause of fainting. Most often in the first trimester - this is anemia. Therefore, this pathology is excluded by careful examination and additional methods. During examination, you can see the woman's pallor, there may also be a slightly yellowish tint to the skin. During auscultation of the heart, a symptom of anemia is a systolic murmur at the apex, which does not go anywhere and does not change its character. These clinical signs of fainting in a pregnant woman, in the case of their combination, require confirmation of anemia by additional methods.

The tests that need to be taken to determine the etiology of fainting should be the most informative and non-invasive. In this case, a comprehensive blood test is a mandatory method, which allows you to exclude or confirm anemia or other pathology. With anemia, there will be changes in the form of a decrease in the level of red blood cells and hemoglobin, as well as changes in the color index (its decrease in iron deficiency anemia), reticulocytes (decrease or increase depends on the type of regeneration in the bone marrow). If the decrease in hemoglobin in pregnant women is less than 110 g / l, then we are talking about anemia. If the anamnestic data of a pregnant woman indicate an insufficient diet, then for confirmation it is necessary to determine the level of iron in the blood. If there is iron deficiency anemia, then the iron level will be less than 12.5 micromoles.

If fainting occurs in the late stages of pregnancy, it is necessary to conduct a general urine analysis and determine proteinuria (protein excretion in the urine). This allows you to identify preeclampsia, which may be the cause of fainting.

Instrumental diagnostics should be aimed at determining the condition of the mother and fetus, among other things. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the cardiovascular system with the registration of an electrocardiogram and, if necessary, an ultrasound examination of the heart. In the early stages, it is necessary to conduct an ultrasound of the fetus to detect blood flow in the placenta and exclude circulatory failure, which may be secondary to fainting in the mother. In the later stages, cardiotocography can be performed with registration of the condition of the fetus.

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Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnostics of fainting during pregnancy should exclude, first of all, extragenital organic pathology. Therefore, it is necessary to differentiate fainting in anemia and in cardiac pathology - heart block, arrhythmia, heart failure. The main method in this case is electrocardiography (lengthening and loss of the ventricular complex in block or the appearance of extra cardiac contractions in extrasystole).

It is important to carry out differential diagnostics of fainting in a pregnant woman, which is caused by transient cerebral circulatory failure and fainting in hypoglycemic coma with concomitant gestational diabetes. In this case, hypoglycemia causes loss of consciousness, which is accompanied by severe sweating, skin moisture, as well as tachycardia and increased tone of the eyeballs. Such fainting requires immediate administration of glucose. And fainting during pregnancy is transient and passes quickly without outside intervention, as soon as the compensatory protective mechanisms react.

To choose treatment tactics, it is necessary to know the etiology and correctly conduct differential diagnostics.

Treatment fainting in pregnancy

If fainting during pregnancy occurs due to fasting or is an isolated case in the first trimester, then such a case does not require targeted treatment. Only after identifying the true cause of fainting can we talk about etiological treatment. If pregnancy is accompanied by general weakness and decreased reactivity of the body, then in this case the use of traditional methods of treatment has priority.

It is very important to organize the correct work and rest regimen, as well as adequate nutrition, in the treatment of fainting in a pregnant woman. During a normal pregnancy, moderate physical and mental work is allowed and even recommended. It is necessary to take daily walks in the fresh air for at least an hour. A pregnant woman should sleep at least eight hours a day. It is very useful for a pregnant woman to take sunbaths - this activates the synthesis of vitamin D for the normal structure of the bone tissue of the future child.

The nutrition of a pregnant woman is of particular importance. The total caloric content in the first half of pregnancy should be about 2500-3000 kilocalories. Proteins should be about 100-120 grams per day, carbohydrates about 400-500 grams, and fats should be limited to 100-120 grams. The amount of water needed is no more than 1.2 liters. It is necessary to eat small portions 3-4 times a day. Such nutrition will reduce episodes of hypoglycemia, which can occur, and fainting may stop. It is very important to eat vitamins every day in the form of vegetables and fruits - this improves microcirculation and trophism of tissues that can suffer from oxygen deficiency.

If the cause of fainting is anemia, then it is necessary to treat this disease using iron preparations that form the active substance of hemoglobin. The main preparations used for this purpose are the following:

1. Hemoferon is an oral medication that contains iron, folic acid and vitamin B12. This composition can also prevent the development of other types of anemia. This medication is available in the pharmacological form of an oral solution that contains four grams of elemental iron. The dosage of the medication is fifteen to twenty milliliters of syrup once a day after meals. Precautions - the medication should not be taken with antacids, as this may impair the absorption of the medication's components, and changes in stool color may also occur. Side effects may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth, in which case you should reduce the dose and take ten milliliters. Allergic reactions are rare.
2. Actiferrin is an oral iron preparation that contains the amino acid serine, which also has an antioxidant property on all cells of the body. Actiferrin is available in the pharmacological form of syrup and capsules. Dosage - one capsule of the drug three times a day. Method of administration of the drug - it should be taken after meals and washed down with a sufficient amount of liquid. Side effects are possible in the form of dyspeptic phenomena, reddening of the skin, as well as changes in the nervous system - increased excitability, irritability, weakness. If any side effects occur, it is necessary to adjust the dose of the drug and select the maximum tolerated doses. Precautions - it is necessary to use the drug with caution in female patients with gastric ulcer, bronchial asthma, as well as gestational diabetes (it is necessary to take into account the glucose content in the syrup).
3. Vitrum Prenatal is a complex vitamin preparation recommended for pregnant women as a preventive and therapeutic vitamin remedy. Given its rich composition, the preparation replenishes not only vitamin reserves, but also contains iron and folic acid, which has a very good effect on the treatment of fainting during pregnancy caused by relative circulatory insufficiency. The preparation contains vitamins - A, B1, B2, B6, B9, B12, C, D, E, as well as calcium, zinc. The drug is available in the pharmacological form of tablets and is taken in a dose of one tablet once a day after meals. Side effects are possible in the form of allergic reactions, as well as dyspeptic phenomena in the form of diarrhea, abdominal pain, rare stool. Precautions in case of using this drug - do not take it in combination with other multivitamin complexes and when treating with iron preparations.
4. Materna is a vitamin preparation containing a huge amount of vitamin A and E, as well as B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, chromium, zinc. Dosage and method of administration of the preparation - one tablet once a day after meals. Side effects are possible in the form of allergic reactions, which happens rarely. Precautions - do not use with calcium preparations, since high concentrations can lead to premature overgrowth of the fontanelles in the fetus.

Physiotherapeutic treatment of fainting is not used, since many procedures are contraindicated during pregnancy. But you can use non-drug methods that increase vascular tone and response to stress factors. Hardening and dousing with cold water very well tone the nervous system, but this method cannot be started already during pregnancy. Only if a woman used such methods before pregnancy, then she can continue during pregnancy.

Surgical treatment of this pathology is not used.

Traditional methods of treating fainting during pregnancy

Traditional methods are aimed at improving blood flow in peripheral tissues and organs, as well as reducing vagotonia, which can lead to fainting. Therefore, many methods and decoctions are used:

1. If a woman often faints, then burdock root will help. For a reflex effect, it is recommended to knead burdock root, then place it under the chest where the ribs come off and gently massage for several minutes. This effect increases vascular tone and reduces the number of nerve impulses.
2. You need to rub homemade oil into the temple area. To do this, take five milliliters of milk and add five drops of violet oil, mix it and rub it in the morning and evening.
3. To bring a woman out of a faint, you need to let her inhale the aroma of any essential oil - this will activate the respiratory center, but not as much as medications. This should not be done in the usual way by bringing the bottle to the nose, but with light hand movements direct the aroma to the woman's nose or drop it on cotton wool and pass it under the nose.

Herbs are widely used to correct the functioning of the nervous system and the state of vascular tone:

1. Chamomile and gentian leaves are a good combination in this case. For a medicinal solution, take a liter of hot water and pour five tablespoons of dried chamomile leaves and five tablespoons of gentian with this water. This solution is infused and then it can be taken half a glass in the morning on an empty stomach, which activates the work of all internal organs.
2. Linden infusion should be brewed like any tea and drunk one glass at night as a medicinal tea - this will improve the tone of the vascular system in the morning.
3. St. John's wort and lemon balm leaves have a calming effect, but it tones the nervous system, since there are no sharp shifts in hormone levels, which can cause fainting. Therefore, it is recommended to take a tablespoon of infusion three times a day.

We should not forget about homeopathic medicines, since during pregnancy it is very important that the harm to the fetus is minimal, and the effectiveness of the drug is significant.

1. Bromcamphor is a homeopathic remedy, the main component of which is the natural substance camphor and bromine molecules. The drug has a calming effect, but at the same time it is tonic due to the increase in vascular tone, which increases blood pressure and keeps it at a sufficient level. The drug is available in the form of tablets of 150 and 300 milligrams. Dosage - one tablet three times a day. Precautions - patients with bronchospasm and aggravated allergic history are not recommended to use. Side effects are possible in the form of allergic manifestations and increased heartbeat, then you need to reduce the dose of the drug.
2. Nux vomica-Homaccord is a combined homeopathic preparation, effective in cases of fainting accompanied by nausea and discomfort in the throat. The preparation is available in drops, dosage - 10 drops per tablespoon of water 3 times a day. Side effects are often in the form of allergic reactions. Precautions - not recommended for use by women prone to constipation.
3. Hyoscyamus is a homeopathic herbal remedy that is effective in recurrent fainting spells in pregnant women. This remedy is available in the pharmacological form of homeopathic granules and is dosed ten granules twice a day. Precautions - when treating pregnant women, kidney function should be monitored. Side effects of the drug are possible in the form of red spots on the face, which are reflexive and transient in nature.
4. Petroleum is a homeopathic remedy made from petroleum raw materials and available in the form of drops and homeopathic granules, but for the treatment of fainting it is better to use drops. Dosage - seven drops per tablespoon of water, then it is not recommended to eat for another half hour. Side effects are possible in the form of abdominal pain and stomach pathology. Precautions - should be used with caution in combination with caffeine or nicotine.

These are the main folk remedies that are used most often and they show their effect.

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Prevention

Prevention of fainting is only non-specific:

• the correct daily routine for a pregnant woman;
• elimination of stress factors and bad habits;
• adequate and balanced nutrition, no starvation or malnutrition;
• treatment of chronic pathologies before pregnancy;
• prevention of anemia in pregnant women through timely monitoring of blood tests and other indicators.

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Forecast

The prognosis for fainting during pregnancy for normal gestation is favorable if these are isolated cases, but if this is repeated, then it is necessary to identify the cause and carry out treatment.

Fainting during pregnancy is often its first sign, but there are cases when they recur later. In this case, the etiological factor is often anemia, but a thorough examination is necessary for an accurate diagnosis. Treatment of fainting should take into account the etiological and pathogenetic principle, but one should not forget about folk methods. The correct daily routine is very important for the prevention of fainting, as well as any other pathological conditions.

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