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What To Look Out For If You Have Low Blood Pressure During Pregnancy


There are often many changes to a woman’s body during pregnancy in order to give better support to growing foetus. Constant medical check-ups during pregnancy is to not only make sure that the baby is growing healthily, but to also ensure that the mother is in good health. 

Doctors will do a thorough check on the mother’s health such as asking her about her lifestyle, dietary habits and also her blood pressure. Blood pressure is always changing slightly throughout the day as it depends on quite a number of factors: one’s energy level, lifestyle and stress levels. 

During pregnancy, mothers might notice that the blood pressure is lower in the first 24 weeks. This is pretty common as blood vessels expand to allow more blood to be pumped to the uterus. 

However, there are also many other factors that might be the cause for low blood pressure for pregnant women which include: 

Having extremely low blood pressure may also point to pregnancy complications, such as ectopic pregnancy where a fertilized egg is implanted somewhere else other than the uterus. 

Normal Blood Pressure During Stages Of Pregnancy

On average, a healthy blood pressure reading should be between 110/70 mm Hg and 120/80 mm Hg. 

Any readings below 90/60 mm Hg is considered as low blood pressure. If your readings came back low during a pregnancy check-up, should you be concerned? 

In general, if you do not experience any symptoms of low blood pressure, it isn’t a cause for concern. Symptoms of low blood pressure includes: 

    • Dizziness 
    • Nausea
    • Blurred vision
    • Clammy, pale or cold skin 
    • Tiredness 
    • Shallow breathing

Treatment 

Doctors typically would not recommend any medications for pregnant women as the blood pressure will usually start to rise back to normal during the third trimester. Unless the symptoms are serious or there might be complications, you generally do not require any treatment. 

However, if you do experience slight symptoms of low blood pressure, here’s what you can do to combat the symptoms without medications: 

    • Avoid getting up too quickly after sitting or lying down for a period of time
    • Do not stand for prolonged periods
    • Wear loose and comfy clothings 
    • Drink plenty of water 
    • Eat small meals throughout the day
    • Avoid taking hot showers or baths 

Remember to have a healthy diet too along with prenatal supplements that can help you prevent symptoms of low blood pressure during your pregnancy and ensure a healthy baby!