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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Low blood pressure in pregnancy.....is it dangerous?

15 replies

LadyTophamHatt · 02/06/2006 18:39

I ahve low BP naturally but during pg it gets even lower.
My lowest reading with ds3 was about 70/40 in the later stages.

I'm just over 8 weeks an had my MW appt today and already my BP was at 84/40.

Can it cause any problems apart from dizziness?
I've only ever fainted once when pg with ds2 and never feel dizzy but I am concerned that it's so low at such an early stage....

Thanks...

OP posts:

Gem13 · 02/06/2006 18:58

Apparently not. I've always had low BP too and I hoped it meant that I should take things easy but everyone (doctors, midwives, etc.) said I should sit down if I feel faint. No help.

I did mention it when in hospital though as I was always on 'watch' as it was very low post birth. It got to be irritating being woken up for them to check it. I did start to 'fade' during my c-section with DD which was quite scary but they were really on the ball with it.

Original poster

LadyTophamHatt · 02/06/2006 19:07

Thnaks gem, I suppose I'll just have to watch out for dizziness then.

84/40 at 8 weeks...I dread to think what it will get down too.

OP posts:

TuttiFrutti · 02/06/2006 19:29

I've got low blood pressure too Lady TH, and felt faint a few times in pregnancy but nothing that sitting down with head between legs couldn't cure.

One thing to be aware of in labour is that an epidural will lower your blood pressure even more. I had one anyway as I was in so much pain, and ended up with an oxygen mask on to stop me passing out! Still worth it though.

Original poster

LadyTophamHatt · 02/06/2006 21:41

I wonder how low TO low is......?

OP posts:

liath · 02/06/2006 21:46

Mine got very low at 12 weeks (the midwife checked sevaral times and seemed surprised that I was still upright) and I did faint a couple of times so I avoided baths for a while in case I fainted getting out & drowned (I always think positive, me).

MerlinsBeard · 02/06/2006 21:51

i had low blood pressure with ds1. Was kept an eye on and told i would extra monitoring if i had an epidural and she wrote on my notes that i was low at booking so it didn't come as a shock to any new mw's.

U do need to be careful of dizzyness and very hot baths too. also lying on ur back (or is it ur side? - sorry head all over at mo)

I don't know what normal is but if u r worried, at ur nxt antenatal check u could ask how low is too low

magnolia1 · 02/06/2006 21:57

Mine is like yours LTH and low normally but lower still in pregnancy. My lowest has been around 70/40 too but lower after operations and I need an injection (can't remember what) to raise it up.

Not sure how low it can go before they really worry though.

nicnack2 · 02/06/2006 21:58

hi lady

i had low BP throughout both pregancies. Lowest was 84/40 which if not preganat and in car crash with that reading would have had every bit of fluid known to man put in me! BP only managed to get above 100/60 during labour. felt fainted once in each pregancny but fine other than that.

Slink · 02/06/2006 21:59

hi i am 12weeks and have always had low blood pressure, and luckly have been fine,

chatee · 02/06/2006 21:59

i was the queen of feinting whilst pregnant with dd and had to sit and wait for dh to collect me from shopping on a few occasions
when pregnant with ds (dd was just 3 years old and has cp=walking difficulties and uses a walker)i always had to tell the people at customer services when i entered the shop to do my shopping(and when i was leaving)to ensure that dd would always be safe(luckily it only happened twice)
midwives were always double checking their equipment after taking my blood pressure

whiffy · 14/06/2006 14:06

I was very low BP and GP recommended 2 bags of crisps a day. Seriously. No idea if it helped my BP in the end but was certainly music to my ears after reading all the ruddy PG books about what not to eat. Aparantly salt helps raise BP.

stapo1 · 14/06/2006 22:23

I have low blood pressure also, my midwife said as long as it was normal for me then my body should naturally adjust during pregnancy.
Just the normal advice to be carefull of dizziness, make sure you drink LOADS of fluid.
The only time I passed out was after the birth of ds1 & was put on a drip to relace lost fluid.
I had an epidural for an emergency c section at 28 weeks with ds2 & low blood pressure did not effect it at all.
I think it is always better than high blood pressure!

mammaduck · 14/06/2006 22:36

I always had low BP and it got very low during pregnancy.

I was told to drink lots of water and if I felt dizzy to sit or even lie down, with feet raised above heart if possible, because that is safer than fainting and falling.

It's much more dangerous to have high BP when pregnant, so don't worry!

kelbryant · 03/12/2007 16:01

hi i just went to see my midwife and my blood pressure is normally low but shokingly its gone even lower to 40/112
bit worried cus feel really weak and light headed though i been drinking ...

Gemtubbs · 04/12/2007 14:41

hello. I have low blood pressure as well. Pregnancy seems to have made it even lower. I'm scared of fainting when I give birth! I hope that won't happen. I have low blood sugar as well so I have to make sure I eat and drink reguarly.Good luck with pregnancy! Love Gem.xXx

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