Here's a quote from "Chesley's Hypertensive Disorders...":

In general, mean arterial pressure declines in the first trimester, reaching a nadir between 16 o 20 weeks' gestation with a return to control values near term. Diastolic pressures decline to a greater extent than systolic pressures, the average mean change being about 10mm Hg. (pg 70)

Sorry, still not good at the whole citing a work stuff[;)]

Oh, and I just looked up Nadir, means "lowest point."

Catherine (22), Moderator (pregnant again)
DH Britton (27)
Emma Margaret (03/02/03) 37 weeks from PIH & oligo
Baby #2 due August 11, 2004

They should drop during the second trimester which should mean about 13 weeks. Mine started to raise then - only to about 125/70, but it was still enough of a rise when they should be going down that my OB sent me to a perintologist and I am now on BP meds. I also had pre-eclampsia during my 1st pregnancy, so I think that there was more concern.

Good luck to you.

Joy

The slowly rising BP sounds soo familiar.

I did experience a drop in my second pregnancy but it was around 20-24 weeks and it stayed fairly steady until 30 weeks when it went liable again. In my first pregnancy it slowly rose, and rose, and rose until I hit 140/90 and then dropped when I first went on bedrest (from 150/90 to 120/60 but I was almost 27 weeks then) and then rose again.

Typically the BP drops in the 2nd trimester and then rises some in third.

Erin

Moderator - First Time Moms, Parents of Preemies
Interm Chapter President - St. Louis/Missouri
Mommy to Alex and Mason

Thanks! To start with they were really low like 105/50. Now normally they are 130's/80's...I have gotten some up at 150s/90s. I am 15.5 weeks now so hopefully I still have time to drop :) So far they keep rising.

Jennifer

Alayna June 27, 2001
EDD August 4, 2004
http://www.geocities.com/alaynarosetta

With this pregnancy it dropped at around 13 weeks. With my others it went up at 18 weeks so I'm hoping it will stay down this time. I was on medication but because of my blood pressure drop, I'm not on it right now. Hopefully you'll get that great second trimester BP drop too.

Rebecca
Mom to Audri 3,
Ezra 2,
Liya 1
and #4 EDD 8/1/04
born at 35, 29 and 31 weeks due to Pre-e/HELLP

Normally, you see a drop in bp sometime in the 2cnd trimester. Mine happend around 20 weeks. WHat are your pressures running at?

Mada Harpster

Sam 6-29-00 36weeks P.E.
Ben 11-03-01 No P.E.

Does anyone know when your bp should drop in a normal pregnancy? I've heard different things, and I am hoping it happens for me soon.

Jennifer

Alayna June 27, 2001
EDD August 4, 2004
http://www.geocities.com/alaynarosetta