Contents:
- Medical Video: 5 Common Signs of Low Blood Pressure
- Causes of low blood pressure during pregnancy
- Symptoms of low blood pressure during pregnancy
- How to deal with low blood pressure while pregnant?
- When to contact a doctor?
Medical Video: 5 Common Signs of Low Blood Pressure
Hypotension, aka low blood pressure during pregnancy is common. In many cases, this condition does not cause serious problems and a woman's blood pressure will return to normal after giving birth.
Even so, blood pressure during pregnancy should not be considered trivial. If it is not controlled properly, low blood pressure during pregnancy can be dangerous because it can cause pregnant women to fall, faint, and even shock. Not only that, blood pressure that is too low during pregnancy may be a more serious medical condition.
Causes of low blood pressure during pregnancy
Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can affect a woman's blood pressure. JIf you are pregnant, your blood supply needs will increase, because the fetus must also be drained of blood. Well, this is what causes low tension when pregnant.
This is the main cause of low blood pressure or hypotension in most pregnant women. However, there are also other causes, including having twins, medical history of hypotension, or underlying medical diseases such as dehydration, certain heart disease, and anemia.
In addition, factors such as lack of vitamin B12 or folic acid, and lying in bed for long periods of time can also cause low blood pressure, as if. Even epidural use also often causes a decrease in blood pressure during pregnancy.
Symptoms of low blood pressure during pregnancy
Normal blood pressure ranges from 90-120 for diastolic pressure (top / first number), and 60-90 for systolic pressure (bottom / second number). While someone is said to have blood pressure if the systolic and diastolic numbers are below 90/60 mmHg.
Down systolic and diastolic pressures can take place during the pregnancy period and everything returns to normal after that. These symptoms of low blood pressure are not different from the low blood pressure that occurs during pregnancy or under normal conditions. Some signs and symptoms of low blood pressure during pregnancy include:
- Dizziness and mild head especially if you stand suddenly from a sitting position
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Concentration difficulty
- Excessive thirst
- The face looks pale, sweaty, and cold skin
- Feel weak, lethargic, and not powerful
- Heart palpitations
How to deal with low blood pressure while pregnant?
Pregnant women will experience dizziness due to low blood pressure. However, you can try simple steps to minimize symptoms and create safety.
- Try lying down to your left side because it will increase blood flow to the heart.
- Avoid some sudden movements, especially when standing from a sitting position.
- Avoid standing for long periods of time.
- Use support stockings, or compression stockings.
- Avoid caffeinated drinks or alcoholic beverages.
- Eating small meals several times a day, not three big meals.
- Exercise regularly because it sharpens reflexes and helps maintain blood pressure within the normal range. Consult with your doctor about exercise that you can do while pregnant.
- Drink lots of fluids. A pregnant woman must drink more water than the recommended amount for normal people, usually drinking between three liters and 1 gallon of water a day.
When to contact a doctor?
If conditions cannot be controlled, you should immediately seek medical attention at the nearest hospital. It is recommended that every pregnant woman be rushed to the hospital if she faints, or starts experiencing more serious symptoms of severe headache, blurring, weakness or numbness on one side of the body and shortness of breath.
