Low blood pressure in pregnancy

Low blood pressure in pregnancy

During pregnancy your heart and blood vessel system goes through major changes. These changes
include a rise in your normal heart rate and your heart pumps more blood per minute. The amount of blood
in your body also increases by about fifty percent.

If we look at what happens to blood and blood pressure during pregnancy then this is what happens.

Your blood pressure will start to decrease in early pregnancy and will reach its lowest level by about week
24 - or the six month stage. Then it begins to rise again - getting back to its normal level by the end of
pregnancy. In some women it rises to higher than normal levels at the end of pregnancy.


Now, normally your heart and blood vessels are flexible enough to adapt and adjust to these changes, but
occasionally they don't. If this happens then you might develop symptoms including feeling dizzy or light
headed. Fainting is rare with pregnancy low blood pressure. If you actually faint or pass out then don't simply
brush it off as due to low blood pressure - go see your doctor or midwife for a check over.