low blood pressure.... is this normal?

[KayMum]

i've been suffering with a lot of low blood pressure over the last few weeks, i'm 20 weeks and its really starting to worry me as i'm finding it harder and harder to keep to a normal life and rutine as i'm scared i may pass out alot of the time.

is this normal?

Just wanted to bump this up as I was wondering the same thing. I'm only 10 weeks but the mw said my blood pressure was on the low side. I am getting out of breath at the slightest thing! I'm usually quite fit.

I'm 21 weeks pregnant and my blood pressure is really low too (sometimes about 90/50), however my heart rate is really high sometimes... even after walking up the stairs.

Luckily I'm not light headed or anyhting, but it's still not very pleasant...

Yes, I had this for both of mine, but happily it has gone up after the birth each time. I agree it's inconvenient and can be scary, and I did faint a few times. And have to stop in the middle of supermarkets and sit down or start weeping (anyone else find the dizzy spells make them weep?!). Just one of those pregnancy niggles I think.

i have low blood pressure and found especially as I was getting bigger i would feel light-headed a lot of the time. Thankfully I've never passed out but it isnt nice at all. Miffy- i would have the same thing like my heart was pounding if i walked up the stairs.

My mws didnt seem too concerned with it as I dont think mine was that low (90/60normally) i think they're more concerned when it's high. But it is definitely a worry, you dont want to be fainting. :(

Low BP is very common in early pregnancy. Not so much in later pg. Mine is naturally low so ive felt doubly afflicted! :)

kaymum what has your MW advised?

I've had it for much of this pregnancy (now 36w), and basically been told to rest lots and been signed off sick from work for most of the time since July. They were only concerned when I was throwing up loads and it was 90/50, but again advice was to drink enough and rest.

me to. low around 90/60 most of the time. It went up a few weeks ago and I had a banging headache (19 weeks) and that was cause for concern so am happily a little bit dizzy and slow now it has come right back down 'in my boots' as my mw said! someone said a little salt could help, but I am not sure about this, maybe try some nice natural sea salt? or does anyone know if this helps or will just make us thirsty and upset our kidleys?

kidneys!

Yes, it's normal

Mine's pretty low when not pregnant and at my last couple of appointments has been 96/55 (17weeks) and 90/69 (21 weeks) compared to 100/80 at booking (12 weeks).

From previous experience, it'll pretty much stay this low for the duration and my pulse will be fast (100-105, often) - even post delivery. They took blood from me last time worried I'd had a pph given my low bp/fast pulse combo the day after delivering... but, nope, not anemic.

Fifth pregnancy, and never fainted.

Definitely better to have low rather than high bp but if you have low bp and are symptomatic with it (light headed/fainting) then making sure you're properly hydrated can bring it up some, as will small regular meals/snacking. I am terrible with 'drinking enough'. Of course, the low bp may not be what is giving you your symptoms - anemia is another consideration.

Also, as for putting your life on hold for fear of fainting, remember, you will normally get physical clues that you're close to fainting - so long as you can read the cues and take evasive manouvres you can probably stall the faint long enough to be 'safe' or even avoid it altogether.

Have you spoken to you mw for advice/reassurance?

Just to add mine, I was 90/60 for the first 16 weeks, got very breathless, heart pumped like mad if I exerted myself and was dizzy when I stood up. Often had to lean on things in the supermarket. It absolutely disappeared one day though, so have hope!

Think I'm 100/60 now which doesn't sound much better but all the symptoms have stopped and the midwife said low bp isn't usually a problem.

I have this too and the obstetric registrar told me to eat crisps for breakfast because of the salt content! I found this really helped me stopped feeling faint on my train commute.

Mine got as low as 60/40 with both of mine!! I freaked out when I saw someone on Casualty with higher blood pressure being defibrilated!
I was told that there isnt anything medical that can be done for low pressure. Id imagine that salt would probably help.
Otherwise, sit if you can and elevate your feet. It stops the blood pooling apparently! Standing for long periods doesnt help your BP.
I suppose if your BP is low, it must mean you are at a lower risk of pre eclampsia?? bonus

I've got to go see my mw tomorrow so going to bring it up then,
i went to my doc a few weeks ago and she wasnt a great deal of help didnt really say anything about it... i left the docs feeling rather lost!?
i was hoping to at least get some advice or support.... tbh just wanted a bit of reassurance and didnt get anything.
its really started to get in the way, feel scared to just go to the shop incase i go dizzy and pass out.

i've started eating a little more salt to see if this helps and trying to rest as best i can.
just wanna say thank you to everyone thats posted bk, its made me feel alot less alone, and like this is more normal than i 1st thought. i'd looked into it on the internet and everything to do with your blood pressure online is for if you have high blood pressure which was really confusing, it made me feel like i was the only one with this problem ( silly i know )