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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Very low blood pressure - advice?

24 replies

runtus · 27/03/2006 15:10

Has anyone else got very low blood pressure? Mine has sat around the 90/55 mark since being pregnant and I think it is one of the causes of me being so wiped out all the time.

The MW just keeps saying "oh its better than being high" but personally I find the dizzy spells, blurred vision and total tiredness a bit of a pain too........anyone?

I have not tried to get her to take it more seriously up to now but I have been forced change my work situation because I can't do the commute anymore - so I'm thinking it must be more serious than she is giving it credit for no?

OP posts:

TuttiFrutti · 27/03/2006 20:33

Yes, I remember this from my pregnancy last year! Felt incredibly exhausted all the time, to the point of wanting to sink to my knees on the pavement. The midwives saw nothing wrong with having very low blood pressure, and my GP even said "Oh good, beautifully low" when she measured it.

I don't think there's much you can do about it, apart from resting as much as possible - difficult to do in real life, I know.

Be aware that if you have an epidural in labour your blood pressure will plummet. Epidurals lower your blood pressure, so if it's low to begin with, you will feel very faint. I spent the last stages of labour with an oxygen mask clamped to my face as I felt as if I was about to pass out.

HRHQueenOfQuotes · 27/03/2006 20:34

Haven't got much advice, but one thing if you've been lying down, make sure you sit up, and stay on your bum for a few minutes before trying to stand up - less likely to get the dizzy spells then.

Enid · 27/03/2006 20:34

drink plenty of water

I am pg, mine is consistently 90/50 and I do feel tired but dont think the low bp causes it

I never have dizzy spells either though

drinking water temporarily boosts your blood volume so good for low bp. Epidurals aren't recommended.

spacecadet · 27/03/2006 20:42

i have low blood pressure 100 over 60 normally.
at one point is was 80 over 40 when i was preg!
i used to feel constantly faint. lightheaded and dizzy.
i did have an epidural with ds2 but a drip was set up to stop my bp from falling anymore.

Original poster

runtus · 28/03/2006 09:20

Hmm, so I just have to grin and bear it I guess.....seems odd that the MW's take everything else seriousyl but when it comes to fainting and not being able to see because your BP is so low - they just go oh good!

I'll bear in mind what you said about the epidural though - good to know ahead of time.

OP posts:

evilstepmom · 28/03/2006 12:44

hi runtus - I'm 34 wks and also have the low blood pressure going on. totally agree that it is a pain when midwives and gps go "marvellous" when u feel like you want to lie down and sleep!just letting u know that ur not alone...!!
and tuttifrutti - thanks for warning about epidural - this is my first so dont have a clue what will happen re my pain threshold in labour!

NomDePlume · 28/03/2006 12:47

I had the same problem, which resulted in me fainting at wholly inappropriate moments and scaring the bejesus out of my 2 DSs . It used to really bug me when I'd have my mw checks and they'd be chuffed that my BP was low, whenever I told them that I kept fainting etc they didn't seem to give a toss so long as it wasn't harming DD then I could take a running jump !

TuttiFrutti · 28/03/2006 13:00

Runtus and evilstepmom, as far as the epidural goes, just keep an open mind! It's all relative: the epidural may make you feel faint/pass out, but that could be better than the alternative. Even with the oxygen mask, the epidural was still worth it for me!

Original poster

runtus · 28/03/2006 14:00

Good to hear I'm not alone in feeling totally sidelined by the MW's on the BP issue........surely they must recognise it is dangerous? What if it were to happen whilst we were driving or something?!

I have a totally open mind re all kinds of pain relief, including epidural. I will make sure my DP knows that it might make me faint as wll, so he can remind the MW's at the time (in case I'm incapable!). Not going to rule it out completely though - I might need it yet!

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whiffy · 28/03/2006 14:05

I had very low BP when pg, and my doctor said only thing you can do is to up your salt intake via marmite and a pack of crisps each day. Seemed to have only a marginal effect on my bp but rather more noticeable impact on my weight...apparantly nothing else you can do about it.

essbee · 28/03/2006 14:18

I've always had low BP too and like Spacecadet reached about 80/40 when pg which left me really lightheaded and unable to stand for really long periods of times. I used to get a few odd looks walking around shops when I suddenly had to sit down before I fell. I never had a problem when driving as far as I remember. Yes ok it's obvs not as dangerous as high BP but likewise I a bit sick of the "marvellous" comments from MW etc. I'm sure this is one of the reasons they let me carry my ds so much over term (he was 19 days late), I was deemed 'healthy'..

donnie · 28/03/2006 14:31

I also have low bp and endured a lot of dizziness and light headedness in both pregnancies ( and I am always cold!).But like tuttifrutti my gp and mws always suggested it was a good thing.

Original poster

runtus · 28/03/2006 17:07

Oh well, just back from MW and she seemed totally happy for my BP to be low yet again. I asked if there was anything I could do to fend off the dizziness but she was more interested in how dry my skin is to be honest - so guess I'll just have to put up and shut up some more!

I can do the crisps thing but not marmite (bleugh!)

OP posts:

flatmouse · 28/03/2006 17:11

My Dr prescribed Support Tights when i was expecting to help raise my blood pressure and stop me fainting everywhere. They weren't that pleasant.

Enid · 28/03/2006 20:24

my low bp never caused me any problems at all

have you had your iron levels checked?

Enid · 28/03/2006 20:28

very important to drink plenty

drosophila · 28/03/2006 20:31

I believe in some countries low BP is treated and others think it is a wonderful thng. I have low pressure during and after pregnancy. I too was real tired. People with low BP apparently lie longer than the average.

I think water is imp. I never drink enough and I really notice the tiredness on days when I am particularily naughty. I can only describe it as having cotton wool in my head or that my brain is swimming through treacle. I find exercise helps.

kid · 28/03/2006 20:40

I have low blood pressure all the time, it raises slightly during pregnancy. I have always been told by my Dr that low blood pressure is good as no-one has ever died from it!

To prevent myself from fainting, I musn't skip a meal. In the morning, if I don't have time for breakfast, then I was advised to have some tea with sugar in. I haven't fainted for almost 4 years now. I have several dizzy spells which a sit down and some water seem to cure.

Its hard when you have to put up with it, but you do get used to it. Hopefully it is something you only suffer from during pregnancy.

Miaou · 28/03/2006 21:03

Hmm, may not be the low blood pressure causing the tiredness runtus - my blood pressure was 90/50 during pregnancy (as it is usually) and I didn't have any of those problems (except if I knelt down then got up suddenly, but again I have that problem even if not pg).

I had an epidural with my first two births and had a saline drip to stop my bp dropping - twas no problem

I have never fainted either (pg or not) but I put that down to being close to the ground (am only 5'2" )

wannaBe1974 · 29/03/2006 14:06

I've had low blood pressure all my life, approx 100/60 and I had no problems during pregnancy. However, after I gave birth I was a bit anaemic (sorry if spelled wrong) and I had the dizzy/cotton wool head/tiredness you describe. you should get your iron levels checked asap and also get your blood sugar levels checked as well. Meanwhile broccoli is a good source of iron, and if you eat sugary snacks then this should help a bit more with tiredness.

Pinchypants · 30/03/2006 11:29

I've got v low bp too and know this is a good thing despite having to take it a bit easy on getting up quickly sometimes so I don't keel over! Would much rather have low bp than even slightly high during pregnancy, personally, as it isn't actually likely to lead to any major problems.
Pinchy x

Bozza · 30/03/2006 11:41

I had low bp in pg and although I only fainted once (in the queue in the canteen at work) I had to sit down in various inconvenient places. Remember sitting on the floor in the mens dept of matalan for instance. Also sitting down just outside the doors of the garden centre and the auto doors opening and bashing me in the back. And crouching down by the escalator in H&M with DS and furiously scoffing his raisins. I used to carry glucose sweets with me.

Original poster

runtus · 30/03/2006 15:36

Thanks for all the replies guys...........I have always had low BP and it has stayed about the same in pregnancy. I've never suffered from the symptoms I get now though. I have tried all the water drinking and had my iron levels and blood sugar levels checked but nothing doing.

Guess i will just have to put up with it.

OP posts:

donnie · 30/03/2006 18:05

be careful when in the shower runtus - I found , esp in 2nd pregnancy, that I got dizzy when in the showering, just turning my hear/torso around to reach for the soap/shampoo etc bought starts to my eyes! use a bath mat and DON'T lock the door!

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