{"id":31284,"date":"2026-07-15T18:00:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T18:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/?p=31284"},"modified":"2026-04-17T08:59:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T08:59:22","slug":"orthostatic-hypotension-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/blog\/pregnancy\/orthostatic-hypotension-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"Orthostatic hypotension during pregnancy: understanding and preventing It"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During pregnancy, your body undergoes many changes that can sometimes come with unusual sensations, such as dizziness or feeling faint when you stand up too quickly. Why does blood pressure sometimes become too low? What are the risks for you and your baby? How can you prevent these moments of discomfort?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Orthostatic hypotension during pregnancy:<\/strong> let\u2019s take a closer look.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is orthostatic hypotension during pregnancy?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Orthostatic hypotension is a common phenomenon in pregnant women, causing feelings of dizziness, faintness, or a drop in blood pressure when moving to a standing position.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How does orthostatic hypotension work during pregnancy?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Orthostatic hypotension<\/strong>, or orthostatic <strong>low blood pressure<\/strong>, is defined as <strong>a sudden drop in blood pressure<\/strong> <strong>when you stand up<\/strong>. This rapid change in blood pressure leads to reduced blood flow to your brain, causing dizziness, faintness, and sometimes even falls.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In pregnant women, this phenomenon differs from standard low blood pressure <strong>because it mainly occurs during changes in posture<\/strong>. The blood vessels, arteries, and cardiovascular system must then adapt quickly, which can be more difficult during pregnancy.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why does pregnancy promote orthostatic hypotension?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pregnancy deeply changes blood circulation and blood pressure regulation. Several factors explain why orthostatic hypotension during pregnancy is common:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Hormonal changes<\/strong>: progesterone and estrogen cause vasodilation (widening of the blood vessels), making it harder to maintain stable blood pressure during changes in position.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Increased blood volume<\/strong>: to nourish your baby, your body produces more blood, which can disrupt the usual balance between the heart, arteries, and blood vessels. To meet the fetus\u2019s needs, blood volume increases by 30 to 50%.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Cardiac adaptation<\/strong>: your heart has to pump more, but the speed of adjustment may be disrupted, leading to a drop in blood pressure during sudden movements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Dehydration<\/strong>: common during pregnancy due to nausea and vomiting, it reduces blood volume and increases the risk of a drop in blood pressure.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Certain medications<\/strong>: antihypertensive treatments or diuretics can also worsen this phenomenon.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These characteristics make orthostatic hypotension more common during pregnancy. <strong>Fortunately, the effects are usually mild<\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want to learn more? Feel free to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/app.adjust.com\/1pblulz8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">download the May app<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where you&#8217;ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your pregnancy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-31272\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/beautiful-asian-pregnant-woman-show-action-of-stre-2026-03-24-09-07-45-utc.webp\" alt=\"Hypotension orthostatique grossesse : comprendre et pr\u00e9venir - May App Sant\u00e9\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/beautiful-asian-pregnant-woman-show-action-of-stre-2026-03-24-09-07-45-utc.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/beautiful-asian-pregnant-woman-show-action-of-stre-2026-03-24-09-07-45-utc-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/beautiful-asian-pregnant-woman-show-action-of-stre-2026-03-24-09-07-45-utc-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Symptoms of orthostatic hypotension during pregnancy<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Orthostatic hypotension during pregnancy can cause various symptoms that are usually not serious, but it is important to know how to identify them so you can respond appropriately and prevent possible complications.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How does orthostatic hypotension during pregnancy present?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These signs, linked to a sudden drop in blood pressure, are most often mild but can be alarming. Here are the common symptoms to recognize:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Dizziness<\/strong>: a spinning sensation, loss of balance, or feeling unsteady.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Faintness<\/strong>: a sudden feeling of weakness, a need to sit or lie down immediately, sometimes accompanied by cold sweats or nausea.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Vision disturbances<\/strong>: blurred vision, bright spots, or a sensation of a veil over the eyes, appearing during the drop in blood pressure.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Loss of consciousness (syncope)<\/strong>: rarer, but possible if blood pressure becomes too low and blood flow to the brain is insufficient.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Heart palpitations<\/strong>: the heart rate speeds up to compensate for the drop in blood pressure.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Orthostatic hypotension during pregnancy: when should you seek medical advice? <\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although most episodes of orthostatic hypotension during pregnancy are not serious, some signs should lead you to contact your healthcare professional promptly. <strong>These situations may reveal a serious underlying cause or expose you to complications<\/strong>. Seek medical advice without delay if:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fainting episodes are frequent, severe, or accompanied by loss of consciousness.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You fall because of an episode of low blood pressure.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dizziness persists even at rest, or occurs without any change in posture.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You develop chest pain.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You notice unusual shortness of breath, neurological symptoms, or altered consciousness.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Symptoms are accompanied by repeated vomiting, significant dehydration, or an inability to eat.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are taking medications likely to affect blood pressure or blood vessels.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-31275\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/a-pregnant-woman-stands-in-the-house-at-the-window-2026-03-24-06-27-45-utc.webp\" alt=\"Hypotension orthostatique grossesse : comprendre et pr\u00e9venir - May App Sant\u00e9\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/a-pregnant-woman-stands-in-the-house-at-the-window-2026-03-24-06-27-45-utc.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/a-pregnant-woman-stands-in-the-house-at-the-window-2026-03-24-06-27-45-utc-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/a-pregnant-woman-stands-in-the-house-at-the-window-2026-03-24-06-27-45-utc-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diagnosing orthostatic hypotension during pregnancy<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diagnosing orthostatic hypotension during pregnancy is based above all on <strong>careful attention to your symptoms and an appropriate clinical examination<\/strong>. Your healthcare professional will begin with a detailed assessment by asking about the occurrence of: <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dizziness, <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fainting episodes, <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">falls <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or sensations of low blood pressure.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They will also look into:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">your medical history, <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the frequency of episodes,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the context in which they occur.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>The clinical examination is simple<\/strong>. It involves measuring your blood pressure and heart rate while lying down, then again after 1 to 3 minutes in a standing position. This test helps confirm a drop in systolic or diastolic pressure when moving to a standing position.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If needed, additional tests, such as a <strong>blood test<\/strong>, may be offered to rule out another cause of low blood pressure or heart problems.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-31278\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pregnant-woman-suffering-from-headache-indoors-sp-2026-04-13-19-13-39-utc.webp\" alt=\"Hypotension orthostatique grossesse : comprendre et pr\u00e9venir - May App Sant\u00e9\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pregnant-woman-suffering-from-headache-indoors-sp-2026-04-13-19-13-39-utc.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pregnant-woman-suffering-from-headache-indoors-sp-2026-04-13-19-13-39-utc-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pregnant-woman-suffering-from-headache-indoors-sp-2026-04-13-19-13-39-utc-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preventing orthostatic hypotension during pregnancy<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adopting a healthy lifestyle helps prevent episodes of orthostatic hypotension:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Regular hydration<\/strong>: drink at least 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day, or more in hot weather or if you are physically active. Good hydration helps prevent dehydration, which can worsen low blood pressure and dizziness.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>A balanced diet<\/strong>: choose varied meals rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein. Split your meals into smaller portions to avoid energy dips related to digestion, and limit foods that are too salty or too sugary, which can disrupt blood pressure balance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Changes in posture<\/strong>: stand up slowly, especially in the morning or after sitting or lying down for a long time. This precaution gives your blood vessels and cardiovascular system time to adjust and reduces the risk of faintness or falls.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Venous support<\/strong>: if needed, compression stockings can help improve blood return in your legs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In summary, orthostatic hypotension during pregnancy is a common phenomenon that is usually not serious, but it deserves your attention and may require advice from your healthcare professional. By recognizing its symptoms and adopting a healthy lifestyle, it is possible to prevent it and limit its impact on your daily life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>**<\/p>\n<p>Photo credits: snegok1967 | nrradmin | shotprime | africaimages<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May US\/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During pregnancy, your body undergoes many changes that can sometimes come with unusual sensations, such as dizziness or feeling faint when you stand up too quickly. Why does blood pressure sometimes become too low? What are the risks for you and your baby? How can you prevent these moments of discomfort? Orthostatic hypotension during pregnancy: [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":31270,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[186],"tags":[142],"class_list":["post-31284","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pregnancy","tag-pregnancy-timeline"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31284","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31284"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31284\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31288,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31284\/revisions\/31288"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31270"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31284"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31284"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31284"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}