Low Blood Pressure During Pregnancy & Its Effect On Baby

Pregnancy-related low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, is common but rarely a cause for concern. Low BP usually occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy, but for some women it may stretch into the second and third trimesters as well. Doctors state that for a pregnant woman, blood pressure should always be within the healthy range of less than 120/80 mm Hg. Blood pressure is considered low when it drops below this range. In most cases, low blood pressure during pregnancy does not require any specialised or structured treatment, but unnatural fluctuations in blood pressure might be a sign of something really serious happening with the mom and her baby. 

Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

1. Blurred vision

2. Chest pains, nausea, and vomiting

3. Severe and persistent thirst, despite drinking plenty of water

4. Lack of focus

5. Cold and moist skin

6. Breathing difficulty

7. Frequent episodes of dizziness and fainting
 

Effects of Low Blood Pressure on Babies

Low blood pressure during pregnancy isn’t a cause for concern. However, if the mother is experiencing dizziness, episodes of fainting, and other related symptoms, then it may be hinting at a more serious problem. When a mother's blood pressure drops rapidly during pregnancy, she may fall, resulting in harm to her baby. Low blood pressure is also a hint of an ectopic pregnancy, which is a complicated pregnancy issue that occurs when a fertilized egg implants itself outside the uterus.

Treatment of Low Blood Pressure in Pregnancy

Low blood pressure can be easily diagnosed with the help of the medicines prescribed by the doctor. A self-checkup kit is extremely useful for tracking and managing blood pressure. However, if the problem continues to persist even after treatment, then you should consult a doctor for a more thorough examination.

Some common ways to treat low blood pressure are given below:

1. Drink salt water, lemon water, and other fresh juices to keep yourself hydrated. Beetroot and carrot juices are also healthy options to choose. 

2. Consume dates as they are a good source of energy. You can also have milk with dry dates and almonds at night.

3. Soak raisins in water overnight and eat them first thing in the morning. Raisins are rich in iron and help deal with low blood pressure.

4. Practice prenatal yoga poses to boost blood circulation throughout the body.

5. Practice pranayam and meditation during pregnancy. 

6. Don't stress too much. Engage in activities that elevate your mood. You can access the best books to read during pregnancy and Garbh Sanskar music from the Garbh Sanskar: KRISHNA COMING App. This app is available for all of your devices.

7. Don't get out of bed too quickly; take your time. Try eating something even before you get out of bed.

8. Consume a nutritious diet high in protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

9. Stay hydrated by drinking more and more water.

10. Don't wear clothes that are too tight.

Stay positive and don't worry too much about low blood pressure during pregnancy. Just stay aware and take the proper medications. This way, your pregnancy will be a more pleasant experience. 

FAQs on Low Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

Q1. What causes low BP during pregnancy?

The majority of pregnant women experience low blood pressure in the first 24 weeks of the gestation period. The 2 main causes of low BP are more blood being supplied to the fetus and blood vessels expanding in this stage to store more blood.

Q2. What foods are good for low blood pressure in pregnancy?

Folate-rich foods are a good addition to your diet if you want to lower blood pressure during pregnancy. Some examples of folate-rich foods are asparagus, beans, lentils, citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, etc. 

Salty foods can also increase blood pressure, but limit their quantity else you may risk preeclampsia during pregnancy, which is again harmful to your baby.

Q3. Can coconut water raise blood pressure during pregnancy?

Coconut water is a potassium-rich food, which means it is useful for lowering blood pressure. So, if you are having low blood pressure, then drinking coconut water will drop your blood pressure levels even more. So, avoid coconut water if you have low blood during pregnancy. 

If you want to know more about coconut water, click here to read the complete blog.