Low Blood Pressure during Pregnancy

Blood pressure will change through the various stages of your pregnancy as your body goes through a variety of changes. It will be checked by your midwife (midwives are specialists in pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and women’s sexual and reproductive health) at your visits.

Why do women have low blood pressure during pregnancy?

Women’s blood pressure will rise and fall throughout the day depending on what you’re doing and it’s normal for it to change more during your pregnancy. Your body will be producing hormones, particularly progesterone which helps to relax the walls of your blood vessels and will likely cause your blood pressure to fall during your first and second trimester.

As you approach your third trimester your blood pressure will start to increase again and should be back to pre-pregnancy levels a few weeks before the birth of your baby.

Watch out

Although it’s normal to experience low blood pressure in pregnancy, it’s important that your midwife checks to ensure your pregnancy is going smoothly and there are no underlying conditions developing. This includes pre-eclampsia a condition that can cause serious problems for your and your baby if it goes undetected. Your midwife will test your urine and check your blood pressure for sings of this condition.

Having low blood pressure in pregnancy is normal and to be expected as your pregnancy progresses. If you feel faint or have dizzy spells, tell your doctor or midwife as it might mean your blood pressure is particularly low. After the birth of your baby your blood pressure will be measured every few hours whilst you’re in hospital and you can expect your blood pressure to return to normal after your birth, as long as you have no pre-existing blood pressure related issues.