Low blood pressure

[Miss E]

My blood pressure has always been on the low end of normal. For most of this pregnancy, everytime my OB has checked it it's been 110/60. He also said that my haemoglobin is on the low side.

For the last few weeks I've been having occassional moments of lightheadedness/exhaustion that come in waves. Sometimes they pass in a matter of seconds buts sometimes they're quite overwhelming and I need to sit down for a few minutes until they pass, but not so severe that I feel like I'm going to faint or anything. I haven't really mentioned them to my OB because they haven't been that regular. But for the last week or so I've been getting quite a few a day (I've also had two bouts of gastro which can't help).

So, I've borrowed my Dad's blood pressure monitor so that I can check my BP when I have one of these spells and see if that's what causing it. This morning I've had a couple of spells (quick passing ones) and checked my blood pressure. I've gotten 92/48 and 103/52 which seems extremely low.

So, do you know anything about low blood pressure in pregnancy? Is there anything I can do to prevent it? I'm a bit worried because DH is going away for 5 days later this week and I'm going to be on my own with DS...

[EsJay]

I have the same problem, actually our numbers are almost identical.
When i have an 'episode' it generally lasts for an hour or so and even when my bp gets back to a respectable level i am left feeling drained and like c*ap for at least the rest of the day
I was the same with my last pregnancy, and my ob pretty much said theres nothing you can do, its the better problem to have when it comes to bp. just be mindful that it occurs, get to know the feeling when its coming on, so you can put yourself in a safe place in case you do faint, to follow your body and what it wants, so if you feel you need to stop and sit down do it, if you feel you cant possibly get back up then dont.
The things she told me which i found did help keep my bp at a decent level and reduce the amount of times it dipped were water intake to be at least 2ltrs a day, more if possible and increase salt intake, which for me isnt hard as i dont use salt to cook my food, or have it on it, so when im pregnant i generally cook my vegies with salt in the water and season my food more, however this time around i havent added salt to anything because of DD, i have found my bp dipping many more times throughout this pregnancy, in fact it had stopped altogether by the third trimester last time, whereas this time it's happening at least once a week sometimes 2-3 times a week.
I would mention it to your ob next visit and see what they say, each person/pregnancy/ob is different.

[smallmum]

I too suffer low BP. pregnancy makes it worse, and the nifedipine i take makes me feel terrible.
A couple of things that really help me get through the day are poweraid and salt and vinagar chips.
I buy powdered poweraid and make it a bit stronger, tomato toast with salt and vegemite toast help raise mine a little.
Nurses worry when they take my bp, usually 70/40 ish My doctor is used to it and only askes how many fainty spells i had that fortnight! i very rearly faint compleatly but i do black out for a few mins if I dont add a little salt and drink poweraid.

I hope one of these help a little.
goodluck

[Miss E]

Thanks ladies.... I'm finding that a couple of handfuls of pretzels and a glass of coke are my saviour at the moment - hardly the basis of a healthy diet though! have an appt with my OB tomorrow so will talk about it further with him then.