Help! Low Blood Pressure

[triana1326]

All I can find online is pregnancy and high blood pressure. I jusst had my blood pressure taken by the nurse at work because I was getting a bit woozy when I stood up and I haven't been able to get warm the past couple days. it was 108/60. I know it's not in hte danger levels, but I'm still a bit worried. Is there any way to get it back into normal range? Should I be concerned? I'm a plus size lady in the middle of her 6th week, so this may skew my numbers a bit, but I'm hoping someone out there may have some advice..thanks!!

[AmyLaz]

It's my understanding that many women have periods of low blood pressure during the early part of their pregnancy b/c the blood vessels are relaxing to accommodate the increased blood volume that is to come. Some women experience dizziness and fainting as a result. Your blood pressure should start to go back up on its own as your blood volume increases.
BTW, my blood pressure is always on the low side (116/60something) this week), and my doctor has never found it a cause for concern.

[triana1326]

Thanks for the quick response. I'm a lot less worried now...anyone else have this happen to you?

[balancedmama]

Low bp is SUPER common in early pregnancy. Mine was 80/54 last week. I am pretty sure I am not in a coma. Although DH might argue that point with the amount of housekeeping I have done around here lately. :p Yours isn't terribly low. I was just about to say that you might notice getting dizzy when you stand up when I went back and read your post and saw that's what prompted you to have it tested in the first place. :o

Usually in the later half of pregnancy it gets normal again but sometimes not. Nothing to worry about though. Just stay hydrated.

[Shiloh]

I've gotten well under 90 ...
My cardiologist says salt, keep hydrated as low blood volume can lower BP - also if you have migraines...etc.
the salt will help with the heart slow reflex (sp?)
to adjust when standing up sitting down - common in pregnancy..
I think 108 is totally healthy she may have thought it was low for you as she might have expected you being plus size would have high blood pressure...I was plus size through 2 of mine they always thought I had high PB (extremely low I've only gotten over 100 3 times in my memory) and diabetis (sorry didn't get that either)

[kailotus]

I seem to have permanently low blood pressure, but it does get lower during pregnancy, first trimester especially (80/54 on bad day, 90/60 on good day). I was told to eat more foods with naturally occuring salt in them..like miso soup and seaweed! I drank a lot of miso soup for breakfast during my first trimester and I think it really did help. You need salt- just try to eat the good kind more frequently.

[NatureMama3]

70/40 is about the lowest I've gotten in PG and I was definitely alive. :) I find it helps to stay well hydrated and on particularly low days I get some caffeine in (ice tea, coffee, etc) to help give things a boost.

[Kylahroo]

108/60 would be considered normal for me! I think I was 110/68 at my appt. yesterday. If you're feeling dizzy, it's probably due to lack of hydration/food than anything else. Are you sure you're eating enough, regularly?

[Dov'sMom]

108/60 IS in the normal range. I wouldn't worry at all.

And as PPs have said, if you're dizzy, it's probably dehydration or low blood sugar -- go eat something sugary or salty (or both!).

[triana1326]

I have about 6-8 cups of water at work and several cups of herbal teas, chai, and rooibos, so I think I'm pretty well hydrated. I've being eating more than usual because I was on WW before I got pregnant, so I think I'm pretty well fed. I used to be pre-diabetic before I lost some weight so I know what low blood sugar feels like and this feels different - more light headed and a rush of blood in my head when I stand up than shakes, sweating, and weak knees. My normal avg. BP is 118/75, which I've had checked each Wednesday since I started working here last April for curiosity's sake.

I guess I'll start eating more pickles (YAY!!!) and some other things, but I can't stand the taste of seaweed and fish, so I'll skip the miso soup and seaweed (thanks anyways). I'll also add some more water to my usual amount. Thanks for all the advice - it's making me feel so much better:love

[Writerbird]

I'm normally 90/60 and freezing cold during the winter. Being 110/70 and warm as toast thanks to my little gestating peanut has made this the best winter EVER.

I did have a brief drop, and a little wooziness, but both resolved themselves within a few weeks.

[kerikadi]

Mine got as low as 80/40 and I didn't have any problems.

[andrea]

I have really low bp, normally 80/60 and the only thing I've had to watch, especially when I'm pg is getting up too fast makes my bp drop and I sometimes 'black out', also getting blood taken makes me pass out too from the sudden bp drop.
After each of my births Ive passed right out too, due to sudden bp drop, which was alarming at first but after a few years Ive heard other women tell me the same so I am just going to expect that its normal for me...

Another thing, consider very carefully getting an epidural if you have low bp, they cause a huge crash in bp and I've heard some horror stores about women going unconcious, vomiting, shaking, getting very ill, etc from having low bp and then getting an epi on top of that.

[amberskyfire]

I have very low blood pressure normally and with this pregnancy, it just keeps getting lower. My MWs told me I need to exercise more. Get good regular daily exercise and that will probably help.

[DBZ]

I've had lower then my normal bp too. Considering that my last pregnancy ended with being induced for high blood pressure, I wasn't too bothered by having lower numbers LOL. Also if they used a plus sized cuff when you normally get bp done with a regular cuff, the number will come out lower.

Do you get anemic? Try taking some iron (floradix). I don't know if it will help with the bp, but it might help with feeling cold.

[dianna11]

Do you normally have low blood pressure?

My midwife's student almost had a fit because mine was 90/60, but the midwife wasn't worried. Mine is normally pretty low.

Were you rushing to get there, then sitting still? When you raise your blood pressure by moving quickly, then relax, it tends to go a lot lower than it is normally.

[leafwood]

My BP normally runs on the low end and drops in the beginning and end of pregnancy. I was usually 98-110/55-65. I struggled with anxiety and during a panic attack I once got up to 126/77 and in labor my reading were about 120/55 at most times. I also had periodic dizziness and always fixed it by eating something (protein & complex carb) and resting for a bit, but it can be scary.

Good luck!

[waterjen]

Mine also runs low and I've also been dizzy and blacking out quite a bit. Normal from what I understand in the first trimester, which is what everyone has posted already... I think it's important to rest a lot when feeling lightheaded, and I've been trying to do that, and to get into bed before it gets to be too much...

[spu]

My bp is always low, even when I'm not pg. The highest it's been is 110/60. When I get nervous (or go into labor), it drops even more - and I get really lightheaded or faint. Just remember to focus on breathing. I find rescue remedy spray has helped in those situations. Some people say to eat salty foods and make sure you're drinking plenty of fluids. Not sure if this makes a difference or not, but every time I'm pg, I crave super salty foods.

[freestyler]

That is a totally normal BP, pregnant or not. Mine is usually about 90/60 all the time. It would only get higher if I had to fight traffic all the way to the OB's office! Your BP is NOT low. It is normal, and is healthier than having a bit too high.

[Dame]

The highest mine has been is 112/64 since I got pregnant. Usually it is around 102-108 over 64-65. I was having problems with feeling dizzy, but seemed to have fixed them through diet.

[crazydiamond]

As has been said, your BP is totally normal. In fact, that's higher than mine is, pg or not!

During pg mine usually runs 90/60 or so. Otherwise, it's a bit higher at 110/80.

I get lightheaded if I'm standing too long or standup too quickly. All it takes is some consciencious moving to make sure it doesn't happen. If it gets really bad, I just lay down with my legs elevated for a few minutes and all returns to normal.

[LeahC]

I normally have low blood pressure, so it becomes super low during pregnancy. I have never had any problems and my doc has never been concerned during my pregnancy with my son or with this pregnancy.

However, you will need to watch yourself in certain situations: slight dehydration will effect you easier, so will low blood sugar (make sure to eat small meals and snacks often) and taking warm-to-hot showers since the warm water makes your veins and arteries open up, thus dropping your blood pressure even more.

[crazydiamond]

I normally have low blood pressure, so it becomes super low during pregnancy. I have never had any problems and my doc has never been concerned during my pregnancy with my son or with this pregnancy.

However, you will need to watch yourself in certain situations: slight dehydration will effect you easier, so will low blood sugar (make sure to eat small meals and snacks often) and taking warm-to-hot showers since the warm water makes your veins and arteries open up, thus dropping your blood pressure even more.

Oh yeah, the warm showers thing gets me a lot! I feel the yuckiest after I step out of the shower and start getting ready in the warm bathroom. It helps if I lay down for a few minutes after getting out of the shower to cool off and encourage more blood flow to my brain.