Heart Palpitations During Pregnancy

Hey there! I had the EXACT same experience as you with the heart palpitations. I even had an echocardiogram. Your body is working overtime making that baby and making extra blood on top of the usual functions so it is a bit stressed out but nothing more. Try to stay overly hydrated and relaxed as much as possible. Totally normal so breathe easy!

I agree that an EKG should be done. I did have a similar situation with my last pregnancy and was placed on a heart monitor and had an EKG. Everything was normal but my OB referred me to a cardiologist just to be sure. I was told it was not abnormal and that everything would return to "normal" after delivery and sure enough!! Good luck and take care.

I had that back in November when I was 4 months pregnant and I was admitted to the hospital for a day because my heart was beating 221 beats a minute, and it should be about 100 beats a minute. It scared me because I didn't know what was going on and I never had it with my first pregnacy, but I was also told it is common in pregnant women. They did all kinds of test and everything came back negative, I had probably a dozen or more EKG's done on me. I agree with the other posters that you should have it checked out to be on the safe side.

FIRST THING FIRST- Go back to your doctor and get the tests done to rule out anything else.......
I have had those as well....I came to find out it was ANXIETY! That is not to tell you, that you shouldn't be examined and have a couple tests!!! But do think about it; you have two little ones, and a new one on the way! Anyone would be anxious. How is your mood throughout the day?
Another thing it could be, in an otherwise healthy person, is dehydration. Make sure you are drinking PLENTY of water/fluids.
Also ask your Doc to check your electrolytes...If they are off balance this can happen. In the mean time, try to relax...
Anxiety is a horrible thing to have...I know first hand. I declined to go on medication for this, and have learned to deal with it on my own...if it turns out you have anxiety, you may or may not need medicine(and you may choose to wait and see how it is after you deliver-this is the way I went). Whatever your choice(made along woith your Doctor), realize that this is not your fault and millions of women suffer with this. (Most of us-only after we have children!!!!)
I had the same scared feeling of not waking up to my daughter, and them my anxiety got even worse. Every little pain I felt, I thought I had a fatal disease.
I can tell you the biggest thing that helped me was acceptence! Once you accept that you have anxiety, you can tell yourself to calm down when you get the feeling coming on.
ALSO_If you have any caffiene in your diet- You must eliminate it! Switch to decaf(this also has a tiny bit), becaseut he caffiene will amke things 10 times worse. Feel free to email me if you need to talk more!I can ask you a few questions about your symptoms and your mood and tell you my opinion...But please caLL your Doc today, as sometimes the tests can take a week or two to schedule.
Jeanne F

I totally remember this with my pregnancy and it freaked me out. Mine only happened in the first trimester and a little bit of the second trimester. I would be sitting there and then all of a sudden, I'd be panting like I'd just run a race. It felt totally awful. No amount of focus breathing or visualization would make the heavy breathing and heartbeat slow. I addressed the issue with my doctor and he recommended that when it happened to drink an ice cold glass of water or Gatorade. Now, you have to understand that I'm not usually into weird or wacky things to deal with health issues, but I was desperate to try anything because I felt so badly. Lo and behold, it actually worked! It sucked though, because I hate ice cold drinks...but within minutes I began to feel better.

That being said, if you need further tests to put your mind at ease then by all means do them! Better safe than sorry, right? Good luck to you with the rest of your pregnancy.

This can be totally normal. Nearly all pregnant women develop a heart murmur by the end of pregnancy due to the fact that your blood volume is 1.5 times higher in late pregnancy. This can make the heart work harder and cause the things you're feeling. I have experienced them too. I would go back to your doctor or midwife however and demand that your concerns are taken seriously.

I think the OB should arrange for an EKG just to put your mind at ease. It's a pretty quick and easy test.

I had one last year because (although I'm not pregnant) I was having the same type of palpitations. If you google, you'll find that they aren't that unusual and usually not dangerous. But my doctor wanted to be sure and she had noticed a slight murmur that had developed. The test was normal - I'm not sure if anything will come of the murmur, but at least I don't panic now whenever I feel that palpitation feeling.

I also notice them when I'm laying in a propped-up position. I'm not sure if the position has something to do with it, but I'm curious if laying on your side might help.

Hi - I had the same thing starting about 8 months. I just felt I couldn't settle down and was scared that my heart rate was so fast. The next day I went to my dr. and they said it wasn't over the top and like someone else said - your body is working overtime to accomodate your growing baby. While I still hated the feeling that at least kept me at ease. See how concerned your dr. is after getting your stats. Good luck!

Hello, my name is A. and I am having my fourth child this August, I started getting palpitations with my third pregnancy at about 7 months pregnant when I was in a bad accident and almost lost my son, I have to say I really agree with u mentioning it is a scary thing because I get more and more scared every time I get one. With mine they seem to occur when I am tired, stressed and even sad. I had a bad experience while my hubby was deployed, I had to get a 24 hour heart monitor because I fainted while having multiples at one time, that was very scary! But the advice I can give is just watch them close and inform your OB if you get multiples at once, just try not to worry yourself so much, I know it is easier said then done but I have come to realize that mine occur more often during stressful and worrysome times...GOD BLESS!!!

I believe it's normal and very common! I had them too and they were so scary! I had an EKG which came out abnormal and then an echocardiogram which was normal. The palpitations are caused by the great increase in blood in your body and your body's working harder to support another life! BUT you should still see your Dr. and demand they test further to make sure you are OK.