Seeing Stars While Pregnant

Just wanted to say, I experience that as well (I am almost 16 weeks), it is usually just after I get up in the morning. And I am usually extremely thirsty at that time as well, so I am thinking what everyone saying about blood volume and needing to drink more is probably correct. I know it's kind of distressing...just be careful!

I had the same thing with my last pregnancy. I waited to tell my doctor thinking I was just too tired or something and just neeed more rest. Well it just got worse to the point that I would lose all of my perrifial vision!! It was so scary. I made an appointment with my doctor after that and she refered me to an eye doctor. My vision was fine. It turned out I was having silent migraines. They gave me rx ibuprofen to take only when I felt the symptoms coming on and it worked great. Hope that helps you!!

I had it when I was pregnant because I was getting dehydrated and the baby was sitting on certain nerves. Keep drinking!!

I had the same problem when I was pregnant. Afterwards, I developed orthostatic syndrome. The vessels in my legs don't constrict quick enough so if I get up to quickly there's a chance I'll get dizzy. Even more weird, the dizziness will happen as late as 5 minutes after I've stood up. When I was diagnosed with this problem the doctor told me that stress and lack of sleep could aggravate the condition. Hah!! Being a parent, I'm not sure how to avoid stress and lack of sleep, but the doctor said if I am experiencing more stress than normal and/or losing sleep, add some Gatorade to my diet. I guess the electrolytes help.

I am 33 weeks pregnant, and had this problem earlier in pregnancy. I was so scared to ask my doctor about it. When I did, he say that my body needed more water, and to drink more. I upped my water intake and the problem was resolved. Never bad to talk to your doctor about those little worrisome things.

Hi E.,

I would call your Dr. Monday morning and let their office know what is going on. They'll probably want to see your or refer you to an opthamologist. This could be a eye health issue (retina health). I've read before we see stars due to a lack of oxygen or blood to the head. I have it happen sometimes when I look backwards and turn my neck, but it's not often. It's best since this has been happening for a week to make your doctor aware to determine what they feel is necessary. This will also put you at ease during your pregnancy. :)

I had the same problem and was told it was migraines and I was prescribed Fiorcet to take. Just discuss it with your doctor because it could be something else, but I suffered from migraines prior to pregnancy but they got worse with pregnancy because of the extra blood volume. Take care! J.

Call you doctor right away especially if it's happening more than once. It could be something neurological. I had this happen a couple times when I was preggo and they sent me to the hospital for tests, just to send me back home because everything came back normal. Call the doctor, it doesn't hurt. And good luck with the rest of your pregnancy:)

I dont know why but I had this with both my pregnancies. The docs always checked my blood pressure but everything always seemed fine. Good luck.

Hi E.. I am a nurse (and a mom). When you are pregnant, the amount of blood volume you have in your body goes up dramatically. When you stand up, that blood volume can shift and cause what is called orthostatic hypotension. It is very common and not dangerous (unless you are not careful in getting up slowly and end up falling down). It happened to me when I was sitting as well and I really don't know why. Sometimes a shift in position can cause it. I really don't think it's a retinal issue. Just be careful standing up - go slow!

I had a condition called vaso-vagal while pregnant. It was the worst thing as I couldn't get a handle on it. It started by seeing while dots and then my heart would race and I would be short of breath. Anyway, it was due to low blood pressure (but not out of range, just low on the scale). My internist called it classic fainting. I resolved the issue by increasing my water intake, increasing my protein (substantially) and increasing my salt. Essentially, I ate a lot of peanuts and PB & J's. After a month, I got it under control. I hope that this isn't what you have, but if it is, it is easily controlled once you know the problem. Take care of it. It wasn't harmful to the baby, just very stressful for me.

I had weird visual things when I was pregnant too. I would get wavy lines that would cover my whole center of vision for 20 minutes at a time. These too turned out to be migraines, but I never got the headache. It was really weird. After I had the baby, it all stopped.

It is probably just an increase in blood volume. I wouldn't worry about it. Just get up more slowly and when you go upstairs, try not to run...

If you are at all concerned about it, definitely call your doctor. If you start noticing other symptoms (chest pain, or the episodes are lasting longer than a few seconds) definitely call your doctor immediately. Other than that...just relax more...and get up/change positions a little more slowly.

It happens to me once in a while (during my pregnancy as well) and doctor told me that it can be from low blood pressure or dehydration. Make sure you have had enough water and if that doesn't care of your symptoms consult your doc.