Heart palpitations anyone?

[MrsTiggyWinkle]

Has anyone had this problem? I'm told its quite common... every so often my heart starts beating really strongly, often after I've eaten. I'm 32 weeks now, so running out of space!
Sometimes its just uncomfortable, sometimes so strong i have to sit or lie down to make it stop, it never lasts long cos I know how to stop it. If its really bad I can start seeing black - low blood pressure I'm told.

Anyway, the docs are checking it out, I had to wear a haltor monitor and have ECGs and so on, getting results tomorrow. The nurse said the heart is easily irritated, especially with a baby pressing on it... and that its common in pregnancy but there are different severities of it. She also asked if I couldn't have come up with a less complicated problem !!! LOL!

The doc said that it won't hurt bubs (I'm just 32 weeks now), that I suffer before the little one does...

Just interested to hear if anyone else has this problem. I'm trying not to worry until I'm told i have to... sorry if this is a bit long...!
Thanks!
Anna.

[me270880]

i had this with no3. it started about end of 2nd trimester and then just dissapeared towards the end of the pregnancy. could have been my heart just getting used to bubs pressing on it? the docs put me on modified bed rest for a few weeks.

[Saresie]

I've had that occasionally too - usually in the afternoon after i've had lunch. I'm 25 weeks and I've never mentioned it to the doc as its not that regular....i'd be interested to hear if there's anything untoward with it, or if its just from all the extra blood pumping in our preggo bodies...

[mummajuice]

I had almost exactly what you described. Including the low blood pressure. The Drs referred me to a cardiologist who put me on the halter monitor for 24 hrs (twice) and I was having weekly ECGs in the last few weeks. I found that when my blood pressure got too low then my heart would start beating helter-skelter and I would need to lie down. Also having a big drink helped heaps.

They couldn't figure out what was happening, and the obs & cardios were umming & aahing over what they wanted to happen for my delivery (natural vs induced vs c/sect). At one stage they said that if I went into labour before they'd reached an outcome I'd have to be transferred to royal brisbane as they were the closest hospy with a cardio ward

I ended up going into the hospital the second I went into labour and having an ECG and CTG done to see whether the problems were distressing bub at all during contractions, but it was all fine. I was put on IV fluid straight away because dehydration made the "attacks" worse. I also had an epidural just "in case" something happened and they needed to get bub out fast (ie c-s). My labour was textbook and 8 hrs later I gave birth to my 10lb 12oz bundle of joy.

The drs monitored me over the few days I stayed in hospital after delivery and I'm due to go back to the cardiologist next month to see whether there is any trace of the irregularities or whether it was just a pregnancy related thing.

:fingerscrossed: I hope yours is as simple as mine (in the end) :hugs: and try not to stress, or consume caffiene cause that only makes it worse

[luvmababy]

I had palpitations towards the end of my pregnancy and was told it was just the pressure of the baby. 6 months later, the palpitations returned and after a few tests, i was diagnosed with graves disease (hyperthyroidism). Not sure if it was connected, but you might want to do a blood test to see if your thyroids are functioning properly. Im no way a doctor, but I was later told that my doctor should have checked thyroid levels when I was getting palpitations.

[MrsTiggyWinkle]

Thanks everyone, good to know that I'm not a freak... or if I am, at least I'm not alone LOL! I go to the doc tomorrow so will come back and update... Interesting re the low blood pressure, I try to drink about 2L a day but some days am really slack - just busy - also interesting re thyroid as mu Mum bas hypothyroidism (underactive) and I believe thyroid problems can run in families.
And Sarah, the nurse said its normal but there are different levels, a safe level and a worrying level, and they want to see where i fit...
Thanks for all your feedback and will keep you updated,
xx
Anna.

[jdeeh]

Hi Anna
I started getting heart palps when preg with no #1 and they have continued ever since (almost 5 years on!) i get them maybe twice a week and they have continued with this pg. The doc said they are quite common, as you know, and it is a condition known as supaventricular tachicardia! she said she wouldn't worry unless it was happening every day and causing blackouts all the time. had a bit of a look on the net about it and as scary as it is, it doesn't seem to be as bad as it might seem. my mum also has a thyroid issue, and i have been tested but nothing showed up. but i guess the most important thing is to just get it checked out, as you are, so just know you aren't alone! all the best. Jill

[MrsTiggyWinkle]

Thanks for that Jill and everyone else. I'm just back with an update. The heart monitor didnt show up any thing, just a couple of extra heartbeats here and there. They said caffeine and tiredness can bring on the palps so i'm off caffeine and they certified me to take a day off a week, so I have every Wednesday off until i go on maternity leave.
They told me the same as you Jill, SVT, and that with relatively short episodes its not a risk for the baby. He said if it was 45 minutes+ and happening on a regular basis then they might have to medicate me. I keep forgetting to ask about the risks for me cos all I'm worried about is will the baby be OK! I guess if they say the baby will be OK that means by default so will I!!!

There is some debate about whether I can continue with the birth centre/midwives at my local hospital, which is the plan so far, or whether I need to go via the obstetric docs / medical birth ward. But that will all be reviewed nearer the time.... 7 weeks to go with #1 ooer!!
Thanks for all your feedback, hope my update is useful to you Sarah!
Cheers everyone
Anna.

[mini_me]

Oh i know this all to well. Just spent my first 6 days in hospital couple weeks ago for my second pregnancy, first pregnancy lots of monitoring in hospital.

Anyway great to hear you've been given the all clear.

Im however on the more serious side of VT pulpertations, ill be going in for pin-hole surgery couple months after the babys born to completely stop the pulpertations :smiliedance: and no more heart problems :yelclap: currently on meds to help slow the amount in one go.

Hope it doesnt develop into anything to serious :hugs:

[MrsTiggyWinkle]

That sounds a bit scarey mini_me, I hope it all goes well for you. I think I'll be OK, thanks for the hugs, same back to you with bells on :>