Low blood pressure in mornings

[CentralLondonPregnant]

Hi all, I know low blood pressure is normal in pregnancy, but I’m really struggling with it in the mornings at the moment. It gets down to about 85/50 and it makes me feel awful and I often have to lie down or I’ll faint. Is anyone else experiencing this and do you have any tips on how to manage? Eating makes it worse which isn’t ideal as I’m always hungry when I wake up! Eating also sends my pulse rate up to about 100bpm, which is an unpleasant combination with the low blood pressure. So far I’ve read online to drink water (tick), eat small amounts, and I’ve also ordered some compression socks in case that helps. I’m currently 31+1. Thank you!

Bumping in case anyone has some advice on how to manage! TIA x

Are you having a boy by any chance? I was just like this with DS

Ha! No, I’m actually having a girl

Ha! No, I’m actually having a girl

So that's that theory out of the window!

I had this with both my pregnancies. I had to start showering at night instead because I was scared I'd pass out in there and hurt the baby!

@Quietcrown Good to know I’m not the only one… did you find anything helped with it? I have quite a few early morning meetings at work so not ideal feeling as though I’m going to pass out in the mornings

Mine is terribly low too and really bad in the mornings, it makes my head split and I have to lie down til about lunchtime. The only thing that helps is a caffeinated drink as soon as I wake up - not ideal in pregnancy but does help me to function. I couldn’t drink any for weeks though as the thought made me sick - I’m 25 weeks now and can bear tea again luckily.

My obstetrician told me to eat crisps for breakfast 😋

I have POTS which makes me faint. You could try eating salty food and drink lots of fluids. Easier said than done when you're pregnant I know!

I have naturally low blood pressure at the best of times and it gets really low in pregnancy. The only recurring advice I’ve received is to drink lots of water and to eat little and often. And be careful not to stand up too quickly. I’ve been working from home this pregnancy and I’ve found regular rest breaks where I lay on the sofa with my feet elevated helps. Have even been known to plead a dodgy connection and do meetings with my camera off like that! No idea how I coped in the office other than hiding on the stairs to get some air. But definitely keeping well hydrated helps.

Another one with POTS and agree lots of fluid and salty food, electrolyte drinks too, feel better soon!

I agree that caffeine seems to help. Not ideal in pregnancy but I often had a can of full fat coke for breakfast!

Do you have an understanding team at work? I'm in quite a physical job but my colleagues were great at letting me sit down as much as possible.

I've got low BP generally and it was worse when pregnant.

As others have said, salty snacks, eat little and often not big meals, lots of water.

Propping the pillow end of the bed up a little also helps me hugely. Mine is postural hypotension so when I go from lying flat to standing up my body takes a moment to catch up and I can't see anything for a second or two if I leap up.

Having the end of the bed propped up, either something under the bed legs, or pillows under the mattress as well as on top, gives a gentle slope and means my body is working uphill to get blood to my brain through the night - and isn't so shocked when it has to carry on doing that as I stand.

Thanks all! Had a cup of tea first thing this morning and then had a small breakfast (single slice of toast which has some salt in it). Just lying down now. Can’t really stomach anything mega salty first thing in the morning but will look into electrolyte drinks. Will definitely try to keep well hydrated too.

@Aozora13 I’ve also had to turn my camera off and take some meetings while lying down! It’s tricky though as some meetings are ok for that, but for others it wouldn’t feel very appropriate…

@dryersheep Good idea about propping legs up in bed, I’ll try that too! I already have essentially a nest of pillows around me, so what’s a few more My poor husband is squashed down one side of the bed now!

Same here...very low blood pressure all the time but especially in pregnancy. I was prescribed compression socks and told to drink sports drinks. x

Hi, another one with POTS here. Had it before pregnancy.

I was advised to raise the head end of the bed for sleeping - I used to feel super groggy and light headed in the mornings, but since doing this I've felt way better and clearer headed. We just put a couple of bricks under the legs at the head end. More effective than just using pillows. It's listed as something to try for low BP here www.nhs.uk/conditions/low-blood-pressure-hypotension/
Always worth chatting with midwife/obstetrician though I spoke with one recently who suggested for relief during the day to lie on side with legs propped up with pillows. Otherwise if lying on back with legs up it can make you feel light headed anyway.

And another vote for staying very well hydrated and eating salty food