Low blood pressure.. looking for advice

[Redrosebelle]

I’ve felt poorly for a few days - sick, headachey and just ‘weak’ though nothing I can put my finger on. I’m 19 weeks. At the beginning I had quite bad nausea which caused me to be dehydrated and have low bp. When the midwife measured it was 80/50 but she thought it dropped when I stood.
For the past few days I get a really strange sensation when I stand up - my arms, legs and chest ‘burn’ like they would if I’d been doing vigorous exercise. I get a bit of a head rush, feel a bit dizzy and just generally feel the need to sit down as quickly as possible. I’ve tried to drink lots.. but with the nausea I will admit I haven’t had as much as I probably should. I just feel exhausted, weak and unwell. I can’t really put it into words, but the only time I feel ok is when I lie with my feet up and put my head down to rest.
Does this sound like low bp? I have just started a new job who are very supportive but I don’t feel I can be off sick! Would you give the midwife or gp a call about this? I don’t want to waste their time if it’s just usual pregnancy troubles.

It does sound like low blood pressure. It's normal during pregnancy as the blood vessels increase in size but if it's affecting you this way then you need to report it to your midwife in case they need to monitor you. Fainting from standing is risky to both you and baby so don't take any chances for fear of being a nuisance. If you're concerned you can buy a blood pressure monitor for £20 and keep an eye on it yourself. This is normal practice for people who need to monitor their blood pressure and can help you understand what is normal for you and what isn't.

Thanks for your reply..
Is there anything I can do to make myself feel better in the meantime? Obviously the heat isn’t helping and I’m trying to drink more water.. I would really prefer to just get on with things! I’ve just decided with my mom that if I feel like this in the morning I’ll try and get a Gp appointment just to check everything’s ok.

Yes it does. Increase your salt intake and drink less water (but obviously keep hydrated!).

I get very low BP in pregnancy but naturally go off water and crave salty food which seems to stop me getting too ill.

I had this, it was a nightmare. Drinking lots helped, and also support socks/stockings (great in this heat!). Also, never stand still. I fainted in a queue in Tesco. Keep moving at all times when upright, even of just yo walk on the spot/clench leg muscles etc

OP, i'm in the same boat. My BP was low before pregnancy, averaging about 95/60 but now it's down as low as 70/44 last week. Neither my Doctor nor midwife were concerned. Their thinking was, it's far better to be low than high!

As other's have mentioned, increase your salt and water intake, and keep your legs elevated. When you get up, do so slowly and try keep as active as possible. I know mine dips the minute i get too relaxed.

I took iron supplements both times
they were my happy pills

Postural hypotension is low blood pressure caused by standing up too suddenly. This doesn’t actually mean you are leaping to your feet but your BP takes a while to acclimatise when you stand. If you do it too quickly your blood pressure drops causing faintness and other unpleasant symptoms.

From lying try to roll onto your side and then slowly propping yourself up to sitting on the side of the bed. Sit awhile, maybe sipping tea and then gradually stand. If you ever feel faint sit immediately and put your head down whilst breathing slowly and deeply.

It’s a nasty feeling but there is no specific treatment and it tends to improve later in pregnancy.