Lower Blood Pressure Plus Low Temperature

[BarbaraH1]

Hi, Mamas -

I've been lurking for a long time, and searched the archives but came up empty-handed. I'm hoping someone can offer some insight, please - or at least tell me I'm not going crazy!

I'm a little over 27 weeks along with baby #3, overall feeling *much* more tired & run down than with the first two (I'm 39 this time, so I was prepared for that). At my last midwife appointment, my BP was 90/60 - that's low for me. The lowest it's been in the past is 110/70. Then I got sick (fever, aches, chills, sore throat) and that lasted a few days, with my temp topping out at about 101.9.

Today I am feeling like a complete slug...could barely get out of bed...and I just took my temp and it's 95.5. I was doubting the accuracy of my thermometer, so I checked it out on the rest of my family, and it seems to be working just fine.

So, what gives here? I have another midwife appt. at the end of the week, but I am wondering if there's cause for concern. My appetite's been poor for a couple of days, but I have been eating to keep up what little energy I have and give babe the nourishment he needs. The baby seems fine, he's moving around the same as usual, thankfully.

There's a history of thyroid problems in my family, although every year I get mine checked and so far it is fine. Is this just a normal phase that I missed with my first pregnancies? This one's been loaded with all kinds of symptoms I've never experienced before, so that wouldn't surprise me.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

[no5no5]

Originally Posted by BarbaraH1 

There's a history of thyroid problems in my family, although every year I get mine checked and so far it is fine.

That'd be my first thought.  Sometimes pregnancy can change thyroid function, and it sometimes happens that women need thyroid replacement during pregnancy who have never needed it before.  Sometimes the opposite.  If you haven't had your thyroid checked very recently (i.e., within the last month), I'd personally have it checked again.

[no5no5]

So I just asked my DH (who is an MD), and he immediately said that unusually (for you) low blood pressure coupled with unusually (for you) low body temperature can be a sign of sepsis, especially since you've had a recent illness.  He recommends not waiting to get it checked out.  Of course it could be something else, but my DH isn't an alarmist type, so when he says it should be checked out asap, that probably means it should be checked out asap.  I sure hope it's nothing serious!

[BarbaraH1]

Thank you for the comments. I will call my midwives as soon as the office opens!

[no5no5]

I hope it turns out to be nothing.  Good luck!

[geekgolightly]

Are you doing ok? When I saw this post I immediately thought sepsis, too, but I am an old ICU nurse so of course my mind wanders that way. I'm just checking in and hoping that all is well.

[BarbaraH1]

When I spoke to the midwife, she seemed confident that it's a virus (my son has been sick, too, so there are definitely germs in the house) and advised more rest & hydration. My temp has been slowly coming up and I am feeling a bit better. I have an appointment on Saturday, and I intend to discuss it further then - and probably insist that they check my thyroid function, as well.

Thank you for your concern. I do appreciate it.

[Buddhamom]

I am 25 weeks and was 88/60 yesterday.  She asked me how I was feeling and I said fine.  I don't tend to have a high blood pressure anyway and I assume it is because I am vegan.  I tend to be 100/70.  She wasn't worried.  DH thinks I may hev been a bit dehydrated because I haven't been drinking my water as good as I had been. I have been noticing a bit more sleepiness too so I am going to ramp up my iron intake with more fruits and veggies.  Hope yours turns out well.

[tourist.]

Originally Posted by no5no5 

So I just asked my DH (who is an MD), and he immediately said that unusually (for you) low blood pressure coupled with unusually (for you) low body temperature can be a sign of sepsis, especially since you've had a recent illness.  He recommends not waiting to get it checked out.  Of course it could be something else, but my DH isn't an alarmist type, so when he says it should be checked out asap, that probably means it should be checked out asap.  I sure hope it's nothing serious!

 Hearing this, I would definitely go to the doctor asap for a check-up.  I would not go to my midwives for something like this, as it sounds like sepsis starts off so subtle it could easily be brushed off as something else.

I'm glad you're starting to feel better though.  Hopefully it turns out to be nothing to worry about.