low BP... how low is too low?

[chocoraisin]

My GP is talking about signing me off work indefinitely until my BP rises considerably, I've already been off since before Christmas :(

Admittedly I am feeling dizzy/sick and seem to have palpitations when I climb stairs, but I'm only 17 weeks so a bit worried that I'll be signed off for ages longer for something that seems fairly minor. Or should I be taking it more seriously? It's usually 90-100/60-70 but has dropped now to 75/50. I just feel like work must think I'm taking the mickey being off since 11 week pg.

I am a single mum with a toddler which isn't helping as the doc can only suggest eat more, drink more and sleep more. None of which seems to be happening while I run around after DS!!

Anyone else finding their BP is making them feel really ill? Could do with a buddy or too to moan with/cheer each other up. Cheers

Horrible, isn't it. Mine went down to about 80/50 in my second trimester, although was pretty much back to normal later in the pregnancy and is fine now DD has been born.

I found eating and drinking really helped, even if I just grabbed a flapjack or piece of cake. The other thing that bizarrely helped was to clench and unclench my buttocks quite vigorously whenever I felt a bit dizzy.

hahaha I will try the buttock clenching next time!! I am also going to be packing a cereal bar/pack of salty crisps in my handbag everywhere I go :) I really hope it picks up soon!

Mine dropped to 60/40 at one point. Nobody gave a stuff! there were people on casualty in resus with higher bp than me!

I've hovered around 90/48 for the whole of my (twin) pregnancy. My Mum also has really low blood pressure and the doc said to her when she had her first baby "Well Mrs Red, you will live to a long age, but get very tired getting there." I think that pretty much sums it up!

I find eating protein helps - stay clear of quick sugar highs as they tend to just make you dizzier. Peanut butter and ham have been my trusted friends this pregnancy. I've also really made sure to keep my iron levels up - I don't know if that's actually medically correct, but it does seem to make a difference. Taking a long time to stand up and get out of a chair also helps - although toddlers can be impatient with that one. Can you nap when they do? I've been doing that with my DD.

Don't feel embarrassed about being signed off - your doctor wouldn't do that unless he really thought you needed to be. Pregnancy, whilst not an illness, has a lot of risks and is hard work - your employer just has to deal with that.

Hiiya I'm in Australia so advice might be different but my obstetrician said have a hydrolyte which is same as dioraltye every day or every other and that's made a massive difference. Also if youre drinking heaps of water then have a pack of salty crisps at lunchtime to help you retain the fluid and not just pee it all out. Good excuse for some naughty food! I took some iron for a few weeks as the sickness made me not want to eat any red meat and that seemed to help a bit, I think it may have been coincidence or just me being less tired but once you're over 12 weeks it's safe to take a bit extra. Hope that helps x

thanks everyone :) today it's up to 80/60, and my iron count is great so maybe things are looking up? I'm going to take to heart the advice to eat crisps haha and protein sounds like a great idea too. Anything to reboot my energy a wee bit. DS is out with his dad this afternoon so I am planning to get a bit of kip then, and see if that helps. Made it to playgroup this morning which was great for DS - he really needs to be out running around, no matter how I feel. Dioralyte is a good idea too and certainly won't hurt to try. The lowest I've been is 70/45 and that required a saline drip so goodness knows how you managed at 60/40 Saggy!! I'd barely be able to lift my head off a pillow!!

I hovered at 70/40 and my midwife recommended normal digestives - not chocolate ones - and to start eating more regularly. I was also then diagnosed as anaemic and having got the iron and digestives I feel like a new woman!!