Low Blood Pressure - Advice please!

[Lazylou]

Hi. I was diagnosed on Sunday as having low blood pressure following a dizzy spell whilst out shopping. I have been reasonably ok up until today, just an ongoing headache which I was told was a consequence of the LBP. However, this morning I got up to make breakfast, came over dizzy to the point where my vision was blurred, vomiting, headache (worse than usual) and possibly fainted. I can't be sure, as I remember lowering myself to the floor as I felt as if I was going to fall, and then the next thing, DD is shaking me and calling out to me.

I am 17 weeks today and I am worried that there is going to be a knock on effect to the baby. I don't know whether or not to go to the hospital to be checked out, but the possible fainting thing is bothering me. I don't think I fell to the point where the baby has been injured, I managed to get on the floor myself.

I have no credit to ring NHS direct, hence my enquiry here. What do you think I should do? I do feel rather terrible tbh and my head is still swimming slightly.

Thanks in advance

[lilimama]

I would recommend an anemia/iron levels check. they often go together, low bp and low iron levels and it sounds like you might be anaemic too, though a test should show for accuracy. I also have low bp but apparently it's fine and I've had dizzy spells but nothing more serious. Can you have your iron levels checked with a blood test by your midwife/hospital? They are quite routine as many many women are anaemic during pregnancy. if you are, I would take floradix from the chemist and eat lots and lots of iron rich foods rather than take the actual iron supplements which are not easily absorbable by the gut, irritate the gut lining and cause horrible constipation. Floradix in liquid or tablet form has worked wonders for me.

[Lazylou]

Thanks, will look into that.Still unsure whether or not to go to the hospital though. They said last week that if it continued to go back but until today, I have been ok.

[ChristmasLauren]

I suffer from LBP and have passed out several times during my pregnancy, including a big fall down a flight of stairs! Falls have to be VERY bad to pose any risk to the baby in my experience as amniotic fluid is the best shock absorber around.

For the LBP there isn't actually anything you can do, do make sure you get your iron levels checked though as anaemia and LBP isn't ideal and low iron can be fixed. The thing I have found most useful is looking for the signs that I am going to pass out/get really dizzy.

Personally, I get a little light headed initially, followed by dizzy and then hit the deck. So when I get light headed I lie down - ANYWHERE! Yes it can be embarrassing but better than falling down. Also make sure you take your time when standing up, make sure you bend at the knees, I always find that not wearing loads of layers helps because when I feel like this it's important I don't feel claustrophobic too! Different things work for different people though.

Obviously if you are really worried you should go to hospital, if nothing else but for your peace own peace of mind. Good luck!

[Lazylou]

Thanks ChristmasLauren. I felt that claustraphobic feeling earlier and had to whip my top off a bit quick! It was the worst spell I've had and it frightenend me a bit tbh.

[LOONEYplayingachristmasTUNEy]

No advice on the LBP as mine hasn't been bad enough to faint. And it's true that a fall has to be bad to harm baby usually due to the protection HOWEVER if you happen to be RH-ve blood type like me the you do need to be checked, I had a tiny fall and ended up needing an anti-d injection as baby's blood has leaked into mine - only a problem if you're rh-neg.

Back to the LBP, I think if you feel that bad, it's best to get checked definitely!

Let us know how you get on!

[MumOfBillyTheKid]

I had low blood pressure earlier in my PG, however not low enough to faint. Now almost 28 weeks and it has risen luckily!

Midwife told me not to have any hot baths and also told me to eat often as low blood pressure and low blood sugar together isn't good. Not sure why - if maybe that contributes to fainting. As Lauren says, am sure LO is fine though as they are well protected by fluid.

[Lazylou]

Thanks for all your replies. Have spent the day in bed as ANY kind of standing sends my head all over the place. DH has said he is going to leave work early (we've tried to avoid this today as he is the only one working atm and we are quite literally skint for Christmas) to come and take me to the out of hours dr at the hospital, rather than waiting for hours at a&e. Will let you all know how I get on but it is really worrying me now.

Thanks again