Pregnancy is a time when many concerns arise in mothers’ minds; there are always questions about how to eat, what habits to adopt or stop. It’s also a period when, normally, worries about women’s health increase. Problems like low blood pressure during pregnancy, for example, are more common than many people imagine and can have certain consequences if not properly managed.

The first thing you need to know about this topic is that low blood pressure is normal in pregnancy and, although the symptoms can be uncomfortable and often worrisome, low blood pressure is much less harmful than high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Of course, we should always pay attention to anything that affects the health of a pregnant woman and be sure that low blood pressure in pregnancy is simply another normal phase of gestation and not a sign of another problem.

What is Low Blood Pressure?

Also known as hypotension1, low blood pressure occurs when the flow of blood sent from the heart to the rest of the body is in low quantity. There are many reasons a person’s blood pressure may drop, for example:

  • Heart Problems
  • Endocrine Problems
  • Medications
  • Lack of vitamins

These problems can make a person’s blood pressure lower regardless of whether they are pregnant. However, pregnancy is a factor that naturally causes a woman’s body to decrease blood flow, which is why low blood pressure during pregnancy is considered so common2.

This usually happens during the first weeks of pregnancy, when drastic hormonal changes occur and the blood vessels tend to relax, which ends up causing low blood pressure during pregnancy.

It’s always important to remember that, although this is a normal occurrence in any pregnant woman’s body, there are risks that low blood pressure during pregnancy can pose, mainly due to the symptoms, so it should be addressed with attention and the proper care.

Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure in Pregnancy

It’s not hard to notice when someone has low blood pressure, especially in the case of low blood pressure in pregnancy, when it’s likely that blood pressure changes will occur. That’s why it’s important to know what the symptoms are and at what level they are normal, as well as to be alert to anything that could harm a pregnant woman in any way, such as fainting. The main symptoms of low blood pressure are:

  • Dizziness when standing up too quickly
  • Tiredness
  • Fainting, as previously mentioned
  • Blurred vision
  • Frequent dizziness
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Mild symptoms of depression

All of these symptoms can appear to a greater or lesser degree, depending on how low the woman’s blood pressure is and what steps she has taken to prevent it. If any of these symptoms are very frequent, low blood pressure during pregnancy can cause some problems for expectant mothers.

What Are the Risks of These Symptoms?

Low blood pressure during pregnancy itself does not pose direct risks to the baby, but since it leads to several symptoms for the mother, it can put her at risk, which may have consequences for the pregnancy. The most concerning symptom is fainting because it can cause the woman to fall and hit her body somewhere, putting the baby at risk.

It is advisable, first of all, for the woman to find a place to sit down as soon as she feels she is about to faint. Fainting is usually preceded by dizziness and blurred vision, which lets the woman know that she is losing control of her body.

Eating something salty can also help the woman avoid fainting, so it is always important to have something salty nearby, especially if symptoms of low blood pressure in pregnancy are intense or frequent.

Another symptom that often goes unnoticed is depression, which, even if it appears mildly, can be harmful to the woman. Pregnant women are naturally more prone to developing this type of condition because of the intense hormone changes and the changes occurring in their bodies3.

How to Prevent Low Blood Pressure During Pregnancy?

Because low blood pressure in pregnancy is a normal factor in every pregnancy, it is almost impossible to prevent it completely. However, there are ways to prevent it from worsening or dropping too much, making the symptoms worse and the consequences more serious. Some measures a woman can take so that low blood pressure during pregnancy isn’t as harmful include:

  • Drink at least 2 liters of water per day, which keeps the body hydrated at all times
  • Have a healthy and balanced diet
  • Always keep something salty to eat
  • Avoid abrupt changes in position
  • Do not consume alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, or coffee
  • Exercise moderately and with routines suitable for pregnant women

All of these points are small actions and habits that, when followed properly, allow the woman to avoid issues like frequent dizziness or fainting, and even control low blood pressure in pregnancy, which is a benefit both for her and the baby.

Problems like low blood pressure in pregnancy can make many mothers worried, especially those having a baby for the first time, but if you know what the real risks are and take care of yourself, there’s no need to panic.

Of course, it’s normal for a woman to pay attention to every aspect of her health during pregnancy, but it’s also important for her to know what she’s dealing with and how to ensure it doesn’t become a complication during gestation.

See Also: High Blood Pressure during Pregnancy – How to Control It?
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