Risks of Low Blood Pressure in Pregnancy and How to Deal With It

Many pregnant women experience low blood pressure or hypotension during pregnancy. According to published research one in five pregnant women develops low blood pressure at some point during pregnancy. It’s more common in early pregnancy than at any other time during the nine months.

Low blood pressure causes cold sweats, dizziness, and feels like you are about to faint. While low blood pressure in pregnancy can be scary, it is generally nothing to worry about. Sometimes low blood pressure only lasts briefly before returning to normal levels so don’t think too deep about it!

You should consult a doctor only when certain signs and symptoms arise. Keep on reading to learn more about the worrying signs of low blood pressure and how to deal with them.

What does low blood pressure mean?

It is the pressure of blood against the walls of blood vessels when the heart pumps the blood through the circulatory system

While expecting, if your blood pressure is below 90/60, it means that you have low blood pressure. It is very common in moms-to-be so you shouldn’t take it too seriously unless you have any alarming symptoms.

What is the Cause of Low Blood Pressure in Pregnancy?

Abnormally low blood pressure during pregnancy can be either temporary or chronic. There are several potential causes of hypotension during pregnancy. More commonly following are the reasons:

• Hormonal changes 
• Lack of nutritious food
• Dehydration 
• Anemia  

Whatever the reason for low blood pressure in pregnancy is, consult your doctor if you see one or more of the following symptoms of low blood pressure.

Signs and Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure

Common signs and symptoms of low blood pressure include lightheadedness, nausea, weakness, dizziness, blurred vision, and fatigue. If you are experiencing any of these signs it may be because of hypotension. Additionally, you may also experience constipation, extreme thirst, or increased urination if your blood pressure is low. Your doctor can confirm whether your blood pressure is low during one of your prenatal checkups.

What are the Risks of Low Blood Pressure in Pregnancy?

When you’re pregnant, you want to pay attention to every little symptom that can affect your baby’s health or yours. One of the most overlooked symptoms is low blood pressure, which could put both you and your baby at risk. Some women experience dangerously low blood pressure during pregnancy which significantly increases the risk of losing their baby. 

• Low blood pressure can lead to falls if you faint or lose your balance because of dizziness
• It can also result in going into shock or organ damage
• Hypotension along with other factors may be responsible for stillbirth or low weight of the baby

How to Treat Low Blood Pressure?

A doctor may prescribe medication if your condition requires it. If medication isn’t an option, your doctor can suggest lifestyle changes. Moreover, certain non-pharmacological treatments may also help. Your doctor may recommend a plan for low blood pressure treatment in pregnancy depending on how severe your condition is. In some cases, a combination of different treatments will be recommended. You should discuss these options with your doctor or midwife before making any treatment decisions.

Tips to live a Healthy Pregnancy with Low Blood Pressure

There’s no question about it: pregnancy is tough job. And, unfortunately, hypotension during pregnancy can make an already difficult task even more challenging. So, what to do in low blood pressure in pregnancy?

Fortunately, there are several ways you can improve low blood pressure when expecting. These include, but are not limited to a suitable diet for low blood pressure in pregnancy, resting regularly, and avoiding stressors where possible.

1. Eat Properly throughout the Day

Eat five or six small meals during the whole day instead of three large meals. Smaller meals are easier to digest, leading to better overall health. It’s important not to skip any meals though. Furthermore, pay attention to the nutritional value of the food while you’re pregnant. Consuming nutrient-rich foods will also boost your energy, making it easier for you to manage all of life’s stresses!

2. Get Plenty of Rest

Being pregnant is hard work, and you’ll need all your energy to get through it!

Make sure you rest when you need to as it’s normal to feel exhausted during your first trimester.  You can avoid low blood pressure in early pregnancy if you slow down your pace. Especially, if you find that simple tasks take more effort than they used to, take naps during your waking hours.

3. Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is more important for moms-to-be than anybody else!

If you have low blood pressure, it’s especially crucial to drink plenty of water. Your doctor may recommend even more water than usual, though. If you’re struggling to stay hydrated because you’re urinating frequently or experiencing headaches that might be caused by dehydration, try having small snacks between meals to slow digestion and give your body time to process nutrients before being emptied through urine.

4. Don’t Worry About Minor Symptoms

A lot of first-time moms assume that low blood pressure means something is wrong. However, it’s quite common for pregnant women to experience drops in blood pressure at some point during nine months. During these times, try not to worry about minor symptoms. Ignore dizziness or headache as long as you are feeling well otherwise.

As the pregnancy progresses things will become easier. The low blood pressure in pregnancy third trimester starts to come back to its normal state.

5. Take Lukewarm Showers

This tip to avoid low blood pressure in pregnancy may sound strange at first but it does help a lot!

Hot showers feel good, but they increase your heart rate and have been shown to cause blood pressure to spike. If you have high or low blood pressure or want to avoid getting either, then shower at lukewarm or cool temperatures instead.

Final Thoughts

When pregnant, try to avoid the things that can cause blood pressure to drop. Keep your spirit up and stress down and make healthy choices for your and your baby’s sake.