Low blood pressure during pregnancy, how to deal with it?

Hypotension, aka low blood pressure during pregnancy, is common. In most 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 taken lightly. If not controlled properly, low blood pressure during pregnancy can be dangerous because it can cause pregnant women to fall, faint, and even go into 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. If you are pregnant, the need for blood supply increases, because the fetus also has to flow with blood. Well, this is what causes low blood pressure during pregnancy.

This is the main cause of low blood pressure or hypotension in most pregnant women. However, there can also be other causes, including having twins, a medical history of hypotension, or an underlying medical illness such as dehydration, certain heart diseases, and anemia.

In addition, factors such as a deficiency in vitamin B12 or folic acid, as well as lying in bed for long periods of time can also cause low blood pressure, as if. Even the use of epidurals also often causes a drop in blood pressure during pregnancy.

Symptoms of low blood pressure during pregnancy

Normal blood pressure figures range from 90-120 for diastolic pressure (upper / first number), and 60-90 for systolic pressure (lower / second number). Meanwhile, someone is said to have blood pressure if the systolic and diastolic numbers are below 90/60 mmHg.

The dropping systolic and diastolic pressures can last during the pregnancy period and everything returns to normal after that. The symptoms of low blood pressure are no different from the low blood pressure that occurs during pregnancy or under normal conditions. Some of the signs and symptoms of low blood pressure during pregnancy include:

• Dizziness and lightheadedness, especially if you stand up suddenly from a sitting position
• Blurred vision
• Nausea
• Difficulty concentrating
• Excessive thirst
• The face looks pale, sweaty, and the skin is cold
• Feeling weak, lethargic, and not feeling energized
• Heart palpitations

How to deal with low blood pressure during pregnancy?

Pregnant women will experience dizziness due to low blood pressure. However, you can try simple steps to minimize symptoms and create safety.

• Try lying on your left side as this will increase blood flow to the heart.
• Avoid some sudden movements especially when standing up from a sitting position.
• Avoid standing for long periods of time.
• Use support stockings, or compression stockings.
• Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages.
• Have several small meals per day instead of three large meals.
• Exercise regularly as it sharpens reflexes and helps keep blood pressure within a normal range. Talk to your doctor about the exercises you can do while pregnant.
• Drink lots of fluids. A pregnant woman should drink more water than the recommended amount for a normal person, usually drinking between three liters and 1 gallon of water a day.

When to call the doctor

If the condition cannot be controlled, you should immediately seek medical help at the nearest hospital. It is recommended that any pregnant woman be rushed to the hospital immediately if she faints, or begins to experience more serious symptoms of severe headache, blurred, weakness or numbness on one side of the body and shortness of breath.

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