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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Does anyone know about low blood pressure?

18 replies

FurryFox · 16/10/2007 19:07

Was 32 weeks yesterday, had midwife appoointment and blood pressure was 73 over 52. I'm not even sure if that's classed as low but it sounded like it might be although midwife never said anything.

My blood pressure is usually aroud 116 over 90 I think which I assume is classed as normal.

Does anyone know if 73 over 52 is low and what it might mean?

OP posts:

Othersideofthechannel · 16/10/2007 19:09

I don't know what the figures for low are but low blood pressure means you are tired and need a rest.

I had low blood pressure earlier on during one pregnany and got time off work to rest.

pigletmaker · 16/10/2007 19:15

I also have low blood pressure 9and I'm 31 wks) - its not a problem. My readings have normally been 110 over 60 and recently went down to 90 over 50

My consultant does not see this as problematic at all. He said that I may feel light-headed or dizzy (especially after blood tests) but that there is no sign of it dropping dangerously low (don't have the numbers for that) so there is nothing to worry about.

I understand that during pregnancy, the bigger fear is High blood pressure.

Try not to worry. Its lower for me after a bad night's sleep so OTHERSIDE is right in that you may need more rest.

Littlefish · 16/10/2007 19:18

I had low blood pressure during pregnancy. My Midwife just told me to be careful when I got out of bed, or stood up quickly as I might get dizzy.

belgo · 16/10/2007 19:21

73/52 is low. More then just a bit low. A lot of people would be on the floor with a bp that low. How did you feel when she took your BP? Did she take it using a manual or electric machine? SOmetimes the electric machines can give a false low reading if they are not around the arm properly.

I'm very surprised she didn't say anything after taking a BP that low.

Original poster

FurryFox · 16/10/2007 19:24

Thanks girls.

belgo - I felt ok actually. Had been waiting to go in for about half hour so was quite relaxed. Wasn't particuarly tired. It was an electric machine though so maybe that would explain it I didn't even notice what it was until I got home and looked.

OP posts:

belgo · 16/10/2007 19:26

maybe she wrote it wrongly in your book?

Can you phone up and check tomorrow?

I do suspect, if you felt fine, then it wasn't an accurate reading. But you need to phone up to be sure, because if it really was 72/53, that would be a cause for concern.

Original poster

FurryFox · 16/10/2007 19:34

She may well have done, and as I didn't see the machine I don't know for sure.

Think I'll try ringing tomorrow, although it wasn't my usual midwife so not sure who will be there.

If the reading was correct, you say it would be a cause for concern, do you know what they might do or would it just be a case of trying to rest more etc? Sorry for the questions etc

OP posts:

belgo · 16/10/2007 20:09

Sorry, I was putting dd2 to bed.

if it is that low,then most likely you would have had symptoms of dizzyness, lightheadness, these would be warning signs that you need to lie down. Low blood pressure is common during pregnancy, but not usually that low, especially as you usually have a normal bp. As oterh posters have said, rest and putting your feet up is important if you have low blood pressure.

Other far more unusual cause of a low bp is heart problems - but don't worry because I really don't think this is the cause in your case!

I really do think the reading was false, as happens sometimes with an electric monitor, sometimes due to the battery being low, sometimes due to the armband being on too lose or being over too many clothes.

Did the armband tighten up when she took your bp?

Pollyanna · 16/10/2007 20:12

I have had it during this pregnancy. I was told it can be caused by dehydration too. my doctor wasn't at all worried.

ChorusLine · 16/10/2007 20:19

I suffer from low BP and a few times a year I have to lay on the floor! I can tell when its coming its my under the water feeling - when it passes after about 5-10 mins i'm fine as if nothing has happened.

Most embarrisingly it happened on my thirtieth birthday meal out in front of all the girls - some knew about it some didn't - the ones that didn't were freaking out about the grey colur i turned!

It also dropped scarily so all through my c-section with DS, they had to keep giving me the 'magic purple medicine'.

Have been to the doctoe about this and they have told me they can't give me anything and at least my BP is not high!

Original poster

FurryFox · 16/10/2007 20:19

Yes the armband did tighten as my bp was being taken.

I sometimes feel a bit faint when geting up quickly or dizzy but I just take it easy and then feel fine. Also sometimes when I get up my head kind of feels tight, like it's going to explode but it's literally only for a few seconds so never worry about it.

Am not too concerned about it as bp is usually fine and midwife never mentioned it. Thanks for your help

OP posts:

Miaou · 16/10/2007 20:20

Hmm, my blood pressure during pregnancy was regularly 90/50 or 85/45; usual bp is around this level too. It didn't cause me any problems more than normal - I generally have to be careful not to stand up too quick, but that's all.

belgo · 16/10/2007 20:22

fuzzyfox - what you describe sounds normal during pregnancy, so you're right not to worry too much

chunkypudding · 16/10/2007 20:40

my bp was 88/60 at the beginning of my pregnancy, and I think was round about that before I got pg, and I've always been told my bp is absolutely fine...

if you have been left feeling worried about anything at a mw appt then you should definitely contact them for clarification/reassurance I think. Although it sounds like you feel fine so I wouldn't worry too much

chunkypudding · 16/10/2007 20:45

this may make you feel better
www.bbc.co.uk/health/ask_the_doctor/bloodpressurelow.shtml

chunkypudding · 16/10/2007 20:46

that's for a non-preg person, so if a lower bp is common in pregnancy then doesn't sound too bad..

Original poster

FurryFox · 16/10/2007 21:07

Thanks chunkypudding, the link was helpful too.

I'm not too worried at all to be honest but if I start to feel funny at all will certainly contact midwife/gp to get it checked again. Thanks

OP posts:

WheresMyWaistGone · 17/10/2007 12:25

Low bp is much healthier than high bp!

I collapsed with mine at 80/50 at 31 weeks, but that was coupled with a wee infection. I'm now 40+4 and all is fine. Bp has been fluctuating since that all time low and was only 95/55 today.

Don't worry. If any of the medics were worried, they'd be doing something about it. I know - easier said than done!

Take it easy and I'm sure all will be well!

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