When is too low not good? (Blood pressure)? 21 weeks pergnant..?

Question

Okay so I am 21 weeks pregnant and I had a doctors appointment today because I had been getting funny feelings in my head and when they took my blood pressure it was 104/54 which was consecutive with how it had been the last 2 times I had OB appointments. She thought that it could maybe be my blood pressure getting too low at times so she did this thing where she tests it while im laying down, sitting up, and then standing up. When I was laying down it was 84/38, sitting up it was 100/58, standing up it was 90/54. The doctor didn't sound scared and my normal blood pressure is usually around 118/78 which is way normal but they said its normal its lower because i'm pregnant and all I'm just scared that maybe it might be too low. I dont really feel dizzy.. any ideas?

Answer 1

Mine was super low during my pregnancy too.  I don't think is was ever as low as 84/38 tho, that seems extremely low to me.  The lowest mine got was when I was in labor and it was 89/51.  I had to be given 5 bags of fluid to bring it up just so I could have an epidural.

Answer 2

Your doctor took your blood pressure at various points and then was not concerned, and there's your answer.  Here are the symptoms to be concerned about, because they could signal an underlying problem.

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Fainting (syncope)

Lack of concentration

Blurred vision

Nausea

Cold, clammy, pale skin

Rapid, shallow breathing

Fatigue (common in pregnancy)

Depression

Thirst

Your 118 is high for me, and all those other numbers are my norm.  Many times I don't break 100 about 92-96 is average for my top number.  I've been through 4 pregnancies/deliveries, too - non adversely affected by my blood pressure.  The nurses who take my blood pressure often comment on the healthy or good, low reading because they see people who are fighting hypertension.  Maybe that will help ease your mind a bit.  If you're worried about this, then you need to call a nurse at the doctor's office so they discuss it with you further and answer your questions.  That's why you are paying them.  

Read more about it including when to seek medical advice, treatments, and lifestyle and home remedies at the Mayo Clinic website below.

Answer 3

she was testing for orthostatic hypotension..and it would cause drops in your blood pressure when standing and moving too quickly..i would keep a close eye on it..some of them are a little low and concerning for the fact that when you have low blood pressure...that is less that your baby is getting as well...an excellent range for you would be about 120/80 or even 110/70...84/38 is a little scary and im very surprised that you aren't dizzy when standing up...? monitor it and don't take it lightly if you start passing out...keep asking about possible orthostatic hypotension as well..just keep safe

Answer 4

I have chronic low blood pressure. It's usually 105-110/55-60, but during my pregnancy it has been around 95/45 (it just finally went up to 100/60 at 38 weeks). My midwife said that as long as you don't feel dizzy or tired you are probably fine. You said you have "funny feelings in my head" so you may be anemic or not increasing your food intake (WITH salt) enough. Pregnant women need to have about a 50% expansion of blood throughout pregnancy, and salt helps this. Low salt is sometimes linked to low blood pressure. If you're not feeling well, I think you should have the doctors do some blood tests.

Answer 5

why worry,if the doc says nothing negative?he knows better than us on yahoo

Answer 6

It's a much larger worry when it's too high.  With Low BP, usually the symptoms are getting dizzy and/or fainting.  Nothing to worry about.  Keeping your blood sugar up might help.

TX Mom