When does postpartum dizziness go away?

October 16, 2013 2:25 PM

I am ten weeks postpartum and dizzy. I don't think it was this bad at my six-week checkup, or I would have said something to my OB. Googling around tells me postpartum dizziness is common, but my question is: When is it going to go away?

(And why am I having it, if you know.) I'm functional, but it's unpleasant. My next doc appt isn't until December.

posted by Ollie to Health & Fitness (9 answers total)

I would move up your appointment and get this addressed by your OB. I personally didn't have it, but 10 weeks postpartum is still a delicate time with the body and any concerns should be addressed quickly.
posted by tafetta, darling! at 2:38 PM on October 16, 2013 [3 favorites]

I don't remember being dizzy much past 12/14 weeks pp (baby is 10 months now). But I definitely had to work on eating to keep my blood sugar up and not forgetting to drink plenty of water (breastfeeding). The height of my pp dizziness definitely coincided with feeling able to get up and out and do more. I took it is as my body's reminder to take care of myself. I hope it passed quickly!
posted by Swisstine at 2:47 PM on October 16, 2013 [1 favorite]

I would call my doctor's office and ask about it. Yeah, it's probably just that you need even more water than should be humanly possible, but it can't hurt to run it past them now.
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:06 PM on October 16, 2013

Please call your doctor first thing in the morning and get this checked --- dizziness can be a sign of really, dangerously-low blood pressure.

And besides: it's better to ask the doctor a silly question (not that I think this is one!) than to risk major trouble.
posted by easily confused at 3:07 PM on October 16, 2013 [2 favorites]

It could also be anemia, best to check with your doctor and get a quick blood test to see how things are doing.
posted by quince at 3:20 PM on October 16, 2013

Dizziness in the not-postpartum population is usually associated with inner-ear congestion, often from allergies. Sometimes dehydration is an issue. Are you breast feeding? Maybe upping your fluids for a few days would reduce your dizziness. People often don't think about drinking fluids if they're not feeling thirsty, but when I was breast feeding the lactation nurse suggested I drink a glass of water every time my baby nursed. If you are drinking lots of fluid (urine very pale, almost colorless) maybe a pediatrician-approved antihistamine would help.
posted by citygirl at 3:40 PM on October 16, 2013

Anemia can cause dizziness. First thing to do is take some vitamins.
posted by amtho at 4:20 PM on October 16, 2013

Agree with moving up your OB appt. There is not enough information here to do much more than guess about the reason for your dizziness but a face to face visit with your OB should help, even if they can do little more than reassure you that there's nothing too serious going on.
posted by TedW at 5:35 AM on October 17, 2013

By "dizziness" do you mean lightheadedness or giddiness? Or are you experiencing a form of dysequilibrium or vertigo (sensations that either you, or the world, is tilting/swaying/bouncing/whirling when it is not)?
posted by bennett being thrown at 11:03 AM on October 17, 2013