You are 6 weeks and 5 days

You may have had bouts of dizziness by now. It's all part of your body and brain adjusting to pregnancy.

233 days until your due date

Be extra careful if you feel lightheaded, especially when getting up from lying down. Dizzy spells are common, particularly as you get bigger, because your heart has to work harder against gravity to get blood to your brain.

Get up gradually, in stages, from lying to sitting to standing. Standing for a long time can also make you dizzy, because blood collects in your legs, so keep moving to help pump it back to your heart.

Dizziness can also be caused by low blood sugar, along with sweating, shakiness, and hunger. Even if you feel or are being sick, try to eat little and often to keep your blood sugar steady.

If you often feel dizzy, see your doctor, who will do some basic health checks.

The lowdown

Being a teetotaler

Your baby's health comes first, so before you've announced your pregnancy, you may need to avoid alcohol discreetly:

Buy the first round and get yourself a mixer with ice and a slice but no alcohol. After one drink, people are less likely to notice, and for the next round, say you're pacing yourself and ask for a mixer.
Say you're detoxing or hungover and order a juice or a Virgin Mary.
Quietly swap your full glass for your partner's empty one.

As a matter of fact

Exercise and sleep

Exercising regularly can help you sleep more deeply.

Insomnia is common in pregnancy because of anxiety or trouble getting comfortable. Exercise relieves stress and tires you out, improving your chance of a good night's sleep.

Good to know

Keep on moving

Exercise may be the last thing you feel like doing, but it can do a lot to relieve and prevent pregnancy symptoms. A run in the park or a walk into town may sound less inviting than a nap on the sofa, but exercise is energizing and the effects last. Think of it as being active rather than "exercising."

If you feel even more tired after an activity, reduce how hard and how long you exercise, and always listen to your body. As you get fitter and your pregnancy progresses, tiredness should ease, usually by weeks 12–14.

This is general information based on NHS guidance, not medical advice, and every pregnancy is different. Talk to your midwife or GP about anything that worries you. If your baby's movements slow down or change, or you have bleeding, severe pain or leaking fluid, call your maternity unit straight away. In an emergency, call 999.