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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Is 80/40 REALLY low blood pressure? Especially when pregnant?

24 replies

suwoo · 07/01/2009 16:07

Had my booking in today , I'm 9 weeks. (3rd baby). My blood pressure was 80/40. Thats quite low isn't it? I don't feel dizzy or anything. The midwife said it was pretty low and to just be careful that I don't faint.
Opinions please?

OP posts:
DumbledoresGirl · 07/01/2009 16:09

Yes that is low, but some people do have very low blood pressure anyway. My mother does. Utterly confounded the medics when she had a bad stroke.

Original poster
suwoo · 07/01/2009 16:10

Mine is generally low, thinking back to previous pregnancies- but never THAT low.

OP posts:
Stretch · 07/01/2009 16:12

I always have blood pressure that low when pregnant, infact it went to 76/42 at one point. I suffered from hyperemesis and rarely ate so was told that was the reason. We also have low blood pressure in the family.

I used to faint, or feel dizzy most of the time.

HTH
Congrats BTW!!

McDreamy · 07/01/2009 16:16

I also have low blood pressure which becomes a slight issue when pregnant. Make sure you don't get too hungry, too hot, stand up too quickly as you will be more likely to faint than others.

I've fainted once during his pregnancy - I was going out for a meal so hadn't eaten at the normal time then ate a big meal. I fainted sat at the table in a restaurant in Cyprus as a result - highly embarassing!! I came round with my legs elevated and my head down feeling like a proper plonker!! Luckily i was wearing trousers

Original poster
suwoo · 07/01/2009 16:18

Thanks Stretch and DDG. I'm eating for Britain so its not that! I'm not petite either, just normal. My mum has low blood pressure, but not that low- my dad is on meds for high BP!

OP posts:
Mercy · 07/01/2009 16:18

My lowest was 90/50 and was told that was fine.

It wouldn't be fine if you weren't pg though!

BoffinMum · 07/01/2009 16:29

I've got low BP too and feel awful, and the mw advised me to do the opposite of what is normally recommended, ie have a couple of cups of coffee a day and a bag of crisps to get the salt.

Original poster
suwoo · 07/01/2009 16:29

I thought your blood pressure went higher during pregnancy, am I wrong about that then?

OP posts:
Lulumama · 07/01/2009 16:31

oooh., 9 weeks already !

that is v low, mine is not taht low and i have low BP

just take care to not stand up too quick etc and if you have a bath get out slowly and carefully

i think bp is a bit lower in the first trimester, but i might have made that up!

crokky · 07/01/2009 16:31

I had something like 90/50 when I had hyperemesis. I was barely able to stand up.

I would say that it does sound very low, but it should be compared to your usual blood pressure rather than comparing it to other people/averages etc.

LoveActually · 07/01/2009 16:33

Hi Suwoo, My blood pressure started out low and I didn't feel too bad. Like Mercy said it wouldn't be fine if you weren't pg. Now though at 39 weeks mine has gone up 90/120. x

Original poster
suwoo · 07/01/2009 16:34

Yep Lulu, 9 weeks tomorrow! Got a very early scan on Monday at St Marys, not sure why they are doing me that early but maybe the policy has changed a bit. I'll have to be careful as my job involves standing and lifting/carrying.

OP posts:
BoffinMum · 07/01/2009 16:36

Mine's always a bit low anyway. But yes, it is supposed to rise during the 3rd trimester so I live in hope.

doggiesayswoof · 07/01/2009 16:42

That is quite low.

My bp is always lower when I'm pregnant. I had to be careful when getting up, especially first thing in the morning. I didn't faint but I did have a couple of episodes where I felt a bit woozy.

Original poster
suwoo · 07/01/2009 16:46

I don't feel woozy at all, and I'm up and down all day (like all of us). Will just keep aware though.

OP posts:
Mercy · 07/01/2009 16:48

Suwoo, blood pressure should be lower in pregnancy, not higher.

Normal BP when not pregnant is 120/80 ish.

Original poster
suwoo · 07/01/2009 16:49

Shows what I know then .

OP posts:
minouminou · 08/01/2009 22:37

mine's usually about 90/50, and is low when i'm not pregnant
am loving this cold weather - the heatwave of 2006 (DS born Oct) was just about the worst time of my life, physically
it can be a pain, but like others have said, eat, drink and don't stand still for long periods

Original poster
suwoo · 09/01/2009 09:11

When you say don't stand still- do you mean literally in one spot? I stand a lot with work, but wander to and fro IYKWIM.

OP posts:
kizzie · 09/01/2009 20:00

Very similar to mine in pregnancy. one thing to be careful with is getting out of the bath. As standing up after lying down in the water can make you feel a bit woozy. probably best to have a bath when someone can be with you when you get out just to give you a hand. (Thats when it affected me the most).

kizzie · 09/01/2009 20:03

Ps. babies (twins) and me fine in long run. the low blood pressure didnt cause them any probs in case you were concerned about that x

dinny · 09/01/2009 20:03

gosh, that is VERY low - was it a machine or manual reading?

Pseudocreme · 09/01/2009 20:05

I'm 90/60 usually but was 80/50 when pregnant. I was predominantly okay but fainted a bit in my 2nd trimester when in hot/crowded places. If you feel fine then it's not a worry according to my old midwife.

jeanjeannie · 09/01/2009 21:47

Mine is also very low and seemed to drop like a stone with 2nd pregnancy. It was OK in first and second trimester - didn't really notice but boy did it kick in on the third!

I went down to 72/48 and started to feel faint all the time. Got so bad in the last 3 weeks I didn't drive as I knew i wasn't safe.

It's a real pain - but you may be lucky as it's early days yet

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