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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Anyone got low blood pressure?

21 replies

owllover · 05/08/2013 14:31

Got low blood pressure, which is not a problem really but keep getting really sore headaches due to my low BP. Anyone had these and know anything I can do to raise my BP or get rid of the headaches. I'm nearly 11 weeks do you think my BP will raise as pregnancy goes on or get lower. I am fine with dizziness I just can't cope with the headaches.

OP posts:

MoreSnowPlease · 05/08/2013 14:36

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

Original poster

owllover · 05/08/2013 14:48

Thanks for replying. Feeling a bit weary with it. Drinking loads and eating crisps and small regular meals is all I can manage due to nausea so I feel like I'm doing all the right things and it's not getting any better. Never mind eh, only 29 weeks left!

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tobiasfunke · 05/08/2013 14:51

I had it but it was way worse when I was anaemic or even borderline low iron. Iron tablets boosted it even so that I didn't feel like I was going to pass out all the time.

pippin66 · 05/08/2013 14:51

Ive got this at the mo fainted on fri at work because of it. There didnt seem a lot they could do just said to make sure I was drinking and eating enough. Its a horrible feeling though. Im 12 weeks and wondering if its only going to get worse or not too! !

April13 · 05/08/2013 14:56

I do (am 10 weeks), and i don't think there is much you can do. I am just overly tired and like you am drinking water and eating salty foods although I must admit, salt usually is a staple of my diet
My BP is low even when I am not PG, however, I have noticed that since being PG I am feeling the cold alot more. I actually prefer the cold so not too bad, but my nails seems to be constantly blue....

Original poster

owllover · 05/08/2013 15:04

Haven't had any bloods or anything yet but my multivitamin has iron in so I should be ok for that but suffered anaemia last pregnancy. Just a bit annoying they can't do anything for it I suppose. Hope you feel better soon Pippin

OP posts:

Bootyluscious · 05/08/2013 16:04

I have low BP too - am 20 weeks. It was 90/50 last time they looked & when I looked at a chart on Google it was one about step up from death lol

I've been trying to exercise the last month or so & that has really helped.

My Dr said to eat more beef & salt - so tucking into a big cheeseburger & salty chips, not quite sure that was what she meant

April13 · 05/08/2013 16:33

Bootyluscious mines was 90/60 at the last check...i just like to refer to myself as a walking talking miracle ;)

juniper9 · 05/08/2013 17:34

Yeah, my blood pressure is very low too. They thought it'd go up in the third trimester but it hasn't (I'm 32 weeks).

Has your heart rate increased too? That was the bit that concerned me- it goes at high as 165 bpm at points. Saw a cardiologist who said to eat lots of salt! All the tests showed my heart is fine but just going very quickly.

Emigrated · 05/08/2013 17:47

Yes, my bp was 90/50 from 18 weeks until 28 when it went to 100/60. I figure better than high bp but the dizziness is a pain. I craved liquorice and found eating crisps helped a little.

purplemurple1 · 05/08/2013 20:05

Weirdly mines been 90/60 and lower at every check and other than a cursery mention that its on the low side nothings really been said or done about it. Didn't realise that was considered so low or could be realted to the headaches I had earlier in preg.

That said, my iron has also been low so I've swapped to preg multi vits from USA as they seem to have more of everthing in them than UK multivits. (I think its becasue they assume you are overweight.)

Also drinking lots of water, snacking (as I find i get headaches/shakes if I let my blood sugar get low, not sure if its related), getting some gentle exercise every day. Then generally avoiding things that lower your blood pressure - getting up quickly, hot baths, etc.

bonzo77 · 05/08/2013 20:11

I had this in both pregnancies. Actually I always have it. Drinking lots helped, and made a big difference to headaches and dizziness. The anaesthetists had massive problems stabilising my BP during my CSs. 2nd one was planned and the surgeons, midwifes and paeds were waiting around half an hour while my BP was sorted.

Bodicea · 05/08/2013 20:17

Mine isnt as low as you guys - 100/60 - gone up to 110/60 at 25 weeks but I have always had a penchant for lots of salt and also craved liquorice in first trimester, Hmm wonder if it is linked?

hetsto · 05/08/2013 21:02

Mine's always been pretty low too, and seems to be going down as pregnancy progresses. I've always found that exercise really helps and just take care to sit/lie down as soon as you feel faint... wherever you are. My best one was fainting into my dinner! Good luck with it, can be horrid, I know!

Fairydogmother · 05/08/2013 21:03

Mine is 95/55 at 27 weeks. I've switched to drinking some low sugar lucozade lime & lemon sports drink and that has helped. I wondered if all the water I was drinking was actually washing out all the salt in my diet (which was fairly low anyway!).

I keep my feet elevated when sitting down as much as possible. My blood sugars are all over the place as well so having to eat small meals about 6 times a day!

ShowOfHands · 05/08/2013 21:10

Mine is 90/60 usually but falls to 80/50 when pregnant. I always found that regular snacks helped, avoid standing up quickly and careful with going from one temp to another. At this time of year, going from an air conditioned car or shop or office to out in the sun can make you feel rotten. Try not to lie on your back either.

Also, if you're feeling the cold, try thin layers and strip one off once you're warming up to try and maintain an even temp as it shooting up and down used to make my head spin and once I started to feel that sort of hot, sweaty, swimmy head feeling, I was done for. Found it best to try and avoid that stage completely.

Original poster

owllover · 05/08/2013 22:33

I've had the heart racing too and the over-heating. Are they all linked to low BP? Increased heart rate is usually when I'm resting too. Weird!

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DaleyBump · 05/08/2013 23:51

Yup yup yup. Low BP, around 90/60 usually. Anaemic too, and I get palpitations. I'm a student nurse and while it's not something I've learned in class, a nurse on one of the wards advised me that if a patient has low blood pressure they could be dehydrated, so keeping your fluids up is a must. I find if I get light headed, a good big drink of water puts me right most of the time.

Bootyluscious · 06/08/2013 05:31

Like the walking talking miracle April

I have found I feel better than i did in the early stages, still a bit lethargic but I haven't fainted tho thankfully, that must be scary

I did read somewhere that sometimes you can't have an epidural if you have unusually low BP - has anyone else heard that? Scared me a little as I've just started watching OBEM & the epidural option is looking more & more attractive (first baby!)

MoreSnowPlease · 06/08/2013 09:56

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

BigBongTheory · 06/08/2013 11:58

I had an extra test for iron stores not usual low iron. This came back clear for me but might be useful.

As soon as I feel light headed I lie down and have a Rest with my feet higher than my head. This is pregnancy number three so I recognise it coming now.

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