What Are the Causes of Vertigo After Childbirth?

There is a wide range of symptoms that can plague a woman during and after pregnancy, including vertigo. Vertigo is a type of dizziness that makes you feel like you are spinning, falling or moving even though you are not. This sensation is very uncomfortable and can often lead to other symptoms including nausea, headaches and trouble standing. Experiencing this condition after delivering a baby is referred to as "postpartum vertigo." There are many causes of postpartum vertigo, however most of them are easily diagnosed and treated.

  1. Positional Vertigo

    • Positional vertigo, also referred to as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, is the most common type of post-baby dizziness. This condition is caused by debris that has collected in the inner ear and formed into "ear rocks." These tiny "ear rocks" are made of calcium carbonate crystals and can cause vertigo symptoms when you turn your head a certain way. This condition can occur in non-pregnant patients as well, however pregnant woman are more susceptible to inner-ear changes throughout pregnancy and soon after childbirth.

    Postpartum Migraine

    • Hormone fluctuations are a common part of pregnancy and the postpartum period. These changes in post-delivery can cause their own set of symptoms including migraines. Migraines are usually accompanied by dizziness and are a common cause of postpartum vertigo. Migraines caused by post-pregnancy hormone changes can be present with, or without, a headache. Most of them include dizziness, spinning sensations and nausea -- all symptoms of vertigo.

    Perilymph Fistula

    • Perilymph fistula is commonly brought on by straining, which is common during labor and delivery. During pregnancy, a woman's body automatically adjusts the amount of collagen needed to support the pregnancy. When this process is combined with inner-ear changes and the exertion needed for delivery, perilymph fistula can be created. These women typically experience head and inner-ear pressure, which leads to vertigo symptoms.

    Psychogenic Vertigo

    • Childbirth is a demanding process that affects a woman both physically and emotionally. It is normal for women to experience postpartum depression or anxiety after delivery. These psychological changes can be a major factor in post-delivery vertigo. Postpartum depression can cause a variety of physical symptoms, including dizziness, levelheadedness and nausea.

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