A majority of women experience low blood pressure during pregnancy which usually gets sorted in their third trimester without medications. However, like everything in medical science, symptoms and their impact on health need not always be the same in every case. For example, low blood pressure which is considered common in pregnant women could be assigned to ectopic pregnancy where the fertilised egg is implanted outside the uterus.
“Sometimes the symptoms caused by low blood pressure can be severe. In a few cases, they can even harm the baby too. This is the reason gynaecologists continuously monitor the blood pressure levels in women” says the best gynaecologist in Mumbai, Dr Neelima Mantri. So how exactly does low blood pressure impact pregnant women and what steps can be taken to mitigate their impact? Let us find out in this blog with the inputs from gynaecologist Dr Neelima Mantri here:
What causes low blood pressure during pregnancy?
As the woman has to support a baby now, the pregnancy demands an expansion of blood circulation in the body. The hormonal changes during the pregnancy also tend to dilate the blood vessels which also results in a lowering of blood pressure in the body. The blood pressure tends to lower from the first trimester and is at its lowest in the middle of the pregnancy and tends to be normal from the start of the third trimester.
In a few cases, low blood pressure can also be a result of infections, allergic reactions, malnutrition, dehydration, anaemia, internal bleeding, endocrine disorders and even heart conditions.
What are the symptoms of low blood pressure during pregnancy?
Even though low blood pressure is considered normal the symptoms can be debilitating for pregnant women. These symptoms include nausea, dizziness, light-headedness, thirstiness, confusion, vision problems, fatigue, breathlessness, rapid breathing and even clammy skin.
Low blood pressure & pregnancy: How does low blood pressure affect the baby?
Low blood pressure does impact the health of the women which in turn shows its effect on the health of the baby. Low blood pressure increases the risk of fainting and injury which may prove to be dangerous for the health of the baby. In addition to this risk, continuous low blood pressure is also found to increase the risk of stillbirth and possible health complications for the baby. Extremely low blood pressure condition is also found to increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy for women.
Treatment for low blood pressure in pregnant women:
Low blood pressure in the majority of the cases is fairly normal and resolves by itself at the start of the third trimester. However, in a few cases, low blood pressure is the result of an underlying condition which may increase the risk of complications for the women. This is the reason pregnant women should always be closely monitored by an expert gynaecologist to identify and take necessary steps to prevent complications. If you are in Mumbai and are looking for treatment for low blood pressure in pregnancy Dr Neelima Mantri is a famous gynaecologist in Mumbai with an excellent track record in helping women ace their pregnancy journey. You can contact her here: https://www.drneelimamantri.com/