Low blood pressure in pregnancy

[Upwind]

Has anyone had this - my midwife told me mine was very low but nothing to worry about (at 14 weeks). She said it just meant I would feel faint, dizzy and weak a lot and there was nothing I could do about it.

If you had or have it, did it persist throughout pregnancy?

[naturalblonde]

I have it,(at 28 wks, now 33 wks) no really bad side effects. Not sure if it's still low as next appt is not till next week.

[belgo]

Not that much you can do, make sure you eat and drink regularly. I've heard of some women being advised to up their salt intake, but I'm not sure how scientific that is. And make sure you get plenty of rest.

[Songbird]

I had it just the one time I went for a check-up, but next time I was back to normal and stayed normal throughout pg. I was told to make sure I ate little and often to keep my energy levels up, not to get up too quickly and that sort of thing. Hopefuly it'll sort itself out. Better than high bp I think.

[kid]

Eating little and often helps a lot. I have low blood pressure and if I miss a meal I feel like I am going to pass out.
If you don't have time to eat in the morning or don't want to, have a cup of tea or coffee with some sugar in it.

What I was always told is low BP is better than high BP. That doesn't take away the faintness feeling though.

[Upwind]

Thanks all! I am still nauseous all the time so assumed the diziness/weakness/tiredness were all part of that and would hopefully go away as pregnancy progresses. I suppose I should just be grateful it is not high and that baby seems to be doing well

[caramelbunny]

Not sure how much you need to eat but I've read that there's something in liquorice that increases BP.

www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=33255-low-dosage-liquorice

[CantSleepWontSleep]

What was your BP upwind?

[TotalChaos]

I had it, had no problems or symptoms with it. Mine went down to IIRC 90/50 at one point.

[Upwind]

cantsleep it was 105/70

I have no idea what those numbers mean or whether it is even very much below normal

[belgo]

105 is a little on the low side. 70 is fine. I woudln't worry too much.

[CantSleepWontSleep]

Is that low though TC? Mine is always 90-100 over 50 during pregnancy, and no-one has ever commented on it being low.

[CantSleepWontSleep]

Oh cross posted upwind. I really wouldn't call that low at all!

[ilovemydog]

I have really low blood pressure anyway, and in pregnancy it was really really low.

I also was terribly anaemic, so had regular blood tests to monitor it.

But wouldn't worry about low blood pressure as your midwife will take it every time you visit.

[Upwind]

Thanks , so nothing to worry about then

She also told me I was underweight which seems unlikely so maybe she just likes scaring people!

[TotalChaos]

according to nhs direct 90/60 is low

[kittenloren]

Mine was very low, would get very dizzy esp. first thing in the morning when I hadn't eaten for a few hours and had to scarf brek before seeing to DD, much to her disgust!

Carried around cereal/museli-type bars in my bag and had a couple if I felt I was getting a bit wobbly - would advise staying away from quick sugar rushes in favour of something with a bit more of a slow burn energy release, as you can go very dizzy very quickly when you run out of juice.

I had to have a late glucose tolerance test cancelled after only an hour due to extreme wobbles - although to restore normal service lovely MWs practically ordered me to eat a whole packet of custard creams...

[quickerthistimeplease]

I had low BP as well- they said it would probably make me feel feint etc- I never did. I think I just have low BP anyway. Much better to havethan high blood pressure.

[Goldiewithabump]

Hi Upwind,

Pretty much the same as everyone else, have had low blood pressure the whole way through pregnancy, now at 33+4.

Would recommend you always eat some brekkie, have some snacks in your bag and a fan. I have fainted twice at 7 and 31 weeks, both on public transport and both been put down to low bp. Now always have water and fan with me and if you think you will faint try and tell someone close by.

Sorry for long post but have also been told that if you start to go light headed clench yuor buttocks and squeeze. No idea if this actually works!!!??

[CantSleepWontSleep]

TC - NHS direct isn't talking about during pregnancy. Absolutely agree that 90/60 is low when not pregnant, but blood pressure naturally lowers during pregnancy.

[Upwind]

Okay, next stupid question - is it the actual numbers which seem low? Or is it the ratio? e.g. 90/60 = 1.5

Is 90/70 higher or lower than 90/60?

Thanks!

[bethoo]

my bp is 80/40 and the mw jsut says it is nice and low. they do not seem concerned though have asked if i feel faint at times! i am 30 weeks and counting!

[bethoo]

90/70 is higher than 90/60

[bethoo]

and nothing to do with ratio

[TotalChaos]

outside pregnancy, the low end threshhold for normal bp is I think 100/70.

[witchandchips]

mine is very low too (95/50) it is the size of both numbers that is important. In terms of high blood pressure I think they worry about the top number for older people and the bottom number for pregnant women (risk of pre-eclampsia).
Have fainted a couple of times (both this pregnancy + last) but have been told (and resutls of googling seem to concur with this) that there is really nothing to worry about. Key thing is not to get too hungry and not to get up to quickly