Low Blood Pressure???

Constance_13 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 04:35 PM

I had my 32 week appointment today and was told that my blood pressure is starting to get into the "too low" range. I have ALWAYS had lowish blood pressure...normal but on the low side of normal. It has been tracking that way through out my PG but the last few readings it has dropped with each visit. My doc has wants me to be aware of how I am feeling and to be really careful getting up from sitting and lying down as I have been getting a LOT of dizzy spells. He also said to up my salt intake.....he told me normally he does not recommend this especially for PG ladies but for me he would like to as it tends to help bring your blood pressure up. So I am supposed to have some sports drinks and salty snacks when I feel dizzy or kind of out of it. He is going to be monitoring me very closely but I have to be very careful as fainting can happen really really easily for me currently. So on top of extremely low iron, I now have low BP......ARG!!!!

Has anyone had this? If so do you have any other suggestions?

I have to wait till next appointment and then he is going to test my iron again to see if I have made any progress....if not

IT will be injection time. I truly HOPE I have....I have been eating a bit differently and taking all the extra supplements. Man I hope it works. I asked how it will affect the baby and I.....He told me the baby will be fine as she is the one taking all my stores but come time for the delivery it can be more dangerous for me. You loose lots of blood with the delivery no matter whether its vaginal or section and if my counts are really low I run a high risk of needing an emergency transfusion (other things like going into shock and such can happen too)....so they want to "try" to have the levels as close to normal or better if possible as they can.

The rest of the appointment when very well. Mackenzie is right on track and she is doing so VERY well!!! Her heart is goin strong. I gained some weight (2.5lb)

I was sooo excited....the nurse laughed at me....she said I was the ONLY lady she knows who gets excited and is happy to see the numbers go up. It was not a big jump but it has been so hard to get it up that I was thrilled. So I am up a total of 11.5 now!!!

KateRose · #2 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 04:51 PM

Wow, I have absolutely no advice, but just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you. It sounds like your doctor has your and MacKenzie's best interests at heart.

Champaggne · #3 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 06:41 PM

the end always gets fun! lol I hope everything levels outs... Seems like you are well taken care of

Janabanana · #4 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 08:11 PM

I have low blood pressure too., nothing they have worried about though..
Good golly your weight gain is nothing compared to mine LOL! Go you!!

Buggy · #5 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 08:13 PM

Amanda-Your situation sounds like mine with DD, but I did not have nearly as much info as you do so I could not be prepared. First, I blacked out while driving at 32 weeks and my BP was low. I was always dizzy and dehydrated and had to drink a ton of water and gatorade and eat lots of snacks. I made it through that part okay, but then had a c-section due to heart issues at 38 weeks and lost a lot of blood--so much that I was one level above needing a transfusion. I was really weak during recovery, fainted in the hospital, and had to work really hard to build up my iron. I took a liquid supplement called Floridix and had pretty quick results. It was recommmended by my cousin who is a midwife and she swears by it.

This time, I have been dizzy and have been really careful since I have my 21 month old with me all of the time. I always have snacks, have just started back on gatorade and am really watching for signs of dizziness. My doctor suggested that I constantly move even if I am standing in place--she said that flexing your feet and pushing up on your toes really increases the blood flow and will help. I can walk and sit, but I get dizzy standing or laying down in the same position--especially during ultrasounds. I actually need to ask about taking an iron supplement now to build it up in case I lose a lot of blood again because my c-section is in just 6 weeks! Thanks for the reminder.

Sorry to be so long in my response--I just wanted you to know that you are not alone. Let me know if you have other questions and I can try to help.

Janabanana · #6 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 08:14 PM

Forgot to mention also that with my last labor, after I was all done he gave me a shot in the thigh for blood loss... he told me since Im a redhead, that they tend to loose more blood then the average person... I told him I wish he had done that with my other 3 because I felt awful when I went home with them... but with my 4th I felt fine

So he will be doing that again with this one

3rd of a 3rd · #7 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 06:05 AM

As long as you & the Doc. are watching out for it, it should be ok. Hope you don't have any further problems.
Mine is on the low side, but not in the 'too low' range.
Glad the rest of your apt. was good!

May · #8 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 06:13 AM

Aw nuts! I hope that your iron levels turn out to be much better! *HUGS*