Racing Heart In Very Early Pregnancy
So yesterday while at work I got the strangest sensation ever: my heart started racing a mile per minute and I felt a tad woozy/dizzy… the racing heart lasted a couple of minutes then was gone and the woozy/dizzy feeling was only a few short seconds in duration. Af isn’t due for another week n half so I wouldnt give this any thought as a preggo symptom however when i was googling symptoms earlier I saw that a faster heart rate can be a sign of expecting! I know Im reaching with this one especially how early in cycle I am but like I said i cant remember experiencing anything like it before… Any one else experienced this and is or wound up expecting?
Does A Babys Heart Rate Fluctuate During Pregnancy
Fetal heart rate is not always consistent early in pregnancy and varies from pregnancy to pregnancy and baby to baby. Following are the factors that might affect the heart rate:
However, it is not right to jump to conclusions about the babys health solely on heart rate. There may be situations in which it is not measured incorrectly. Only follow-up tests could help in determining the babys health condition.
Why Sleeping Can Be Difficult
The first and most pressing reason behind sleep problems during pregnancy is the increasing size of the fetus, which can make it hard to find a comfortable sleeping position. If you’ve always been a back or stomach sleeper, you might have trouble getting used to sleeping on your side . Also, shifting around in bed becomes more difficult as the pregnancy progresses and you get bigger.
Other common physical symptoms may interfere with sleep as well:
Your sleep problems might have other causes as well. Many pregnant women report that their dreams become more vivid than usual, and some even have nightmares.
Stress can interfere with sleep, too. Maybe you’re worried about your baby’s health, anxious about your abilities as a parent, or feeling nervous about the delivery itself. All of these feelings are normal, but they might keep you up at night.
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When Is Fetal Movement Usually Felt
Most women feel the beginnings of fetal movement before 20 weeks’ gestation. In a first pregnancy, this can occur around 18 weeks’ gestation, and in following pregnancies it can occur as early as 15-16 weeks’ gestation. Early fetal movement is felt most commonly when the woman is sitting or lying quietly and concentrating on her body. It is usually described as a tickle or feathery feeling below the umbilical area. The point at which a woman feels the baby move is termed quickening.
Placental location can impact the timing of quickening. An anterior placenta can “cushion” against fetal movement and delay maternal detection of fetal movements. As the fetus grows larger, the fetal movement feelings become stronger, regular, and easier to detect. While there is no absolute number that indicates fetal well-being, typical guidance may include that fetuses should move approximately 4 times an hour as they get larger, and some clinicians advise patients to count fetal movements to follow fetal well-being.
Who Is At Risk For Preeclampsia
You are at higher risk of preeclampsia if you
- Had chronic high blood pressure or chronic kidney disease before pregnancy
- Had high blood pressure or preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy
- Have obesity
- Damage to your kidneys, liver, brain, and other organ and blood systems
- A higher risk of heart disease for you
- Eclampsia, which happens when preeclampsia is severe enough to affect brain function, causing seizures or coma
- HELLP syndrome, which happens when a woman with preeclampsia or eclampsia has damage to the liver and blood cells. It is rare, but very serious.
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Adaptive Changes In The Alimentary Tract
Nausea and vomiting are very common complaints in pregnancy, affecting 5090% of pregnancies. This might be an adaptive mechanism of pregnancy, aiming at preventing pregnant women from consuming potentially teratogenic substances such as strong-tasting fruits and vegetables. The exact underlying mechanism is not clear but pregnancy-associated hormones such as human chorionic gonadotropin , oestrogen and progesterone could to be involved in the aetiology. The levels of hCG peak at the end of the first trimester when the trophoblast is most actively producing hCG, correlating with the nausea symptoms. Nausea is also more frequent in pregnancies with high levels of hCG, such as in twin pregnancies.
Thyroid hormones may also be involved in the development of nausea symptoms, as a strong association with nausea and abnormal thyroid function tests has been found. Thyroid-stimulating hormone and hCG have similar biomolecular structures and therefore hCG cross-reacts with TSH, stimulating the thyroid gland. Psychological causes, genetic incompatibility, immunological factors, nutritional deficiencies as well as Helicobacter pylori infection have been proposed as aetiological factors of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
The Ayurvedic Perspective On Irregular Heartbeat And Emotional Well
Ayurveda considers an expectant mothers emotional well-being to be important for a healthy pregnancy. And emotions can affect your heart rate. For instance, when you are angry, your heart pounds and your face flushes. According to Ayurveda, your pitta dosha is aggravated in this case.
On the other hand, when you are scared, adrenaline courses through your body and your heart races anxiously. Here, vata dosha is aggravated. These emotions are thought to percolate to your baby too. On the other hand, if you are in a happy, contented state of mind your baby experiences those emotions. It is, therefore, recommended that expectant mothers avoid negativity as far as possible and refrain from watching scary, violent, or emotionally intense material. Meditation is also considered to have a calming influence during this time.11
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Cardiovascular Disorders That May Develop During Pregnancy
Peripartum cardiomyopathy
Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare condition. It is when heart failure develops in the last month of pregnancy or within five months after delivery. The cause of peripartum cardiomyopathy remains unknown. Certain patients, including those with multiple pregnancies and those of African descent, are at greatest risk. Women with peripartum cardiomyopathy have symptoms of heart failure. After pregnancy, the heart usually returns to its normal size and function. But, some women continue to have poor left ventricular function and symptoms. Women with peripartum cardiomyopathy have an increased risk of complications during future pregnancies, especially if the heart dysfunction continues.
Hypertension
About 6% to 8% of women develop high blood pressure, also called hypertension, during pregnancy. This is called pregnancy-induced hypertension and is related to preeclampsia, toxemia, or toxemia of pregnancy. Symptoms of PIH include high blood pressure, swelling due to fluid retention, and protein in the urine. Pregnancy-induced hypertension can be harmful to the mother and the baby. To learn more about who is at risk for PIH, symptoms of PIH, and how PIH is diagnosed and treated, click on the following links:
- American Heart Association – Pregnancy and High Blood Pressure
Myocardial infarction
Heart Murmur
Arrhythmias and pregnancy
How Does Pregnancy Affect Your Heart Rate
During pregnancy, your body undergoes several changes to rise to the occasion of caring for and giving birth to a healthy baby. Some of these changes, like the enlargement of your breasts, are visible. However, other parts of your body are also quietly adapting to the changing demands of your body as you carry a baby. Your cardiovascular system is no exception. Your heart now needs to work harder since more blood needs to be pumped to the uterus as your baby grows. Lets take a look at what this means for your heart rate.
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How Can Pregnant Women Best Avoid Exposure To The Zika Virus
The Zika virus is transmitted by mosquito bites and through intercourse with individuals who have a Zika virus infection. The infection has been linked to severe birth defects including microcephaly. Current CDC recommendations include avoiding travel to countries with known Zika outbreaks and decreasing sexual transmission by avoiding intercourse when the partner has recently traveled to endemic areas. High risk areas include Africa, the Pacific Islands, Latin America, and the Caribbean, but it is a good idea to check the CDC website to see when additional areas are added. It is also important to avoid mosquito bites whenever possible as the mosquito that carries the virus is present in many portions of the USA and it is a matter of time before these mosquitos will become carriers. It is recommended to use an insect repellent that contains DEET, wear a hat, long-sleeved shirt, and long pants where possible, and stay in places that have air-conditioning or screens on windows and doors. Use a bug spray that has been registered with the Environmental Protection Agency. Removing all sources of still water including flowerpots, animal water bowls, and children’s pools can also be an important source of protection.
How Long After Conception Does The Fertilized Egg Implant
The fertilized conceptus enters the uterus as a 2- to 8-cell embryo and freely floats in the endometrial cavity about 90-150 hours, roughly 4-7 days after conception. Most embryos implant by the morula stage, when the embryo consists of many cells. This happens, on average, 6 days after conception. However, there is great variance in the time of implantation. It can occur on days 16-30 of the menstrual cycle. The new embryo then induces the lining changes of the endometrium, which is called decidualization. It then rapidly begins to develop the physiologic changes that establish maternal-placental exchange. Prior to this time, medications ingested by the mother typically do not affect a pregnancy.
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When To Call The Doctor
While most of the time palpitations arent a cause for worry, in a small percentage of women, they could be a sign of something more serious. Call your doctor or go to the emergency if:
- The palpitations are lasting longer or getting worse.
- You also feel dizzy, lightheaded, or feeling faint.
- You are short of breath or have trouble breathing.
- You have chest pain.
- You just dont feel right.
Can Pregnant Women Go To The Dentist
Dental care during pregnancy is an important part of overall healthcare. During pregnancy, the gums naturally become more edematous and may bleed after brushing. Epulis gravidarum, a type of gingivitis with violaceous pedunculated lesions, can occur. If treatment of cavities, surgery, or infection care is required, be sure the dentist is aware of the pregnancy. Most antibiotics and local anesthetics are safe to use during pregnancy. Radiographs can be obtained with abdominal shielding but are best avoided during pregnancy because a small, but statistically significant, increase in childhood malignancies exists in children exposed to in-utero radiographic irradiation.
See also Psychosocial and Environmental Pregnancy Risks.
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Is Sexual Intercourse Safe During Pregnancy
Research indicates that sexual intercourse is safe in the absence of ruptured membranes, bleeding, or placenta previa, but pregnant women engage in sex less often as their pregnancy progresses. No studies have suggested that any particular position is unsafe, although a 1993 study demonstrated a 2-fold increased incidence of preterm membrane rupture with the male-superior position compared to other positions. ACOG states that sexual activity during pregnancy is safe for most women right up until labor, unless there is a specific contraindication.
ACOG specifically cautions that a woman should limit or avoid sex if she has a history of preterm labor or birth, more than one miscarriage, placenta previa, infection, bleeding, and/or breaking of the amniotic sac or leaking amniotic fluid. ACOG discusses that, as part of natural sexuality, couples may need to try different positions as the woman’s stomach grows. Vaginal penetration by the male is not as deep with the male facing the woman’s back, and this may be more comfortable for the pregnant woman.
Why Is Heartburn More Common During Pregnancy
Stomach emptying was thought to be retarded during pregnancy, but hormonal influences of increased progesterone and/or decreased levels of motilin may be more responsible for pyrosis than the actual mechanical obstruction in the third trimester. Some studies have also shown decreased lower esophageal sphincter tone, which can lead to an excess of gastric acid in the esophagus.
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What Are The Risks Of Fetal Heart Monitoring
Radiation is not used for this test. The transducer usually causes nodiscomfort.
You may find the elastic belts that hold the transducers in place slightlyuncomfortable. These can be readjusted as needed.
You must lie still during some types of fetal heart rate monitoring. Youmay need to stay in bed during labor.
With internal monitoring, you may have some slight discomfort when theelectrode is put in your uterus.
Risks of internal monitoring include infection and bruising of your babysscalp or other body part.
Note:You should not have internal fetal heart rate monitoringif you are HIV positive. This is because you may pass the infection on toyour baby.
You may have other risks depending on your specific health condition. Besure to talk with your provider about any concerns you have before theprocedure.
Certain things may make the results of fetal heart rate monitoring lessaccurate. These include:
- Obesity of the mother
- Position of the baby or mother
- Too much amniotic fluid
- Cervix is not dilated or the amniotic sac is not broken. Both of these need to happen to do internal monitoring
Whether It Is Necessary To Enter Some Treatment
During pregnancy it is needed to understand precisely when the quickened pulse is normal and in what case it indicates a different pathology. Quite often it suffices for the pregnant woman only to calm down. For this purpose it is necessary just to lie down and to have a rest for a while.
Theres no need to worry about the child as the female organism adapts to arising changes within a very short period of time. At the same time the organism of the kid is completely protected from different outer influences. When if the acceleration of heart rate which is observed in the pregnant woman makes not less than 140 beats in a minute, then the child has normal heartbeat and at the same time he doesn’t feel a hypoxia.
Future mummy has to become cautious in case when along with heart rate acceleration she has such as complaints: faintness, nausea, and also giddiness and shortage of oxygen.
Then it is necessary to carry out further examination for determination of the cause of these symptoms. As a rule, the doctor can prescribe reception of some medicines such as potassium, magnesium, and also vitamins. Therefore it is needed to visit the gynecologist regularly as he performs measurement of pulse and pressure at each survey.
Besides the doctor is capable to adequately estimate the pregnant womans physical state because during pregnancy women quite often scarcely notice physical problems, but only emotional ones.
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Why Do Women Get Varicose Veins During Pregnancy
Varicose veins are more common as women age weight gain, the pressure on major venous return from the legs, and familial predisposition increase the risk of developing varicose veins during pregnancy. These can occur in the vulvar area and be fairly painful. Rest, leg elevation, acetaminophen, topical heat, and support stockings are typically all that is necessary. Determining that the varicosities are not complicated by superficial thrombophlebitis is important. Having a venous thromboembolism in association with superficial thrombophlebitis is rare. Hemorrhoids, essentially varicosities of the anorectal veins, may first appear during pregnancy for the same reasons and are aggravated by constipation during pregnancy.
Heartbeat Changes Throughout Pregnancy
Your babys heart continues to develop during pregnancy. The fetal heart rate is between 90 and 110bpm in early pregnancy . It will then rise and peak around the 9th and 10th week, to 170 bpm. Following this, the heartbeat becomes normal and stabilizes between 120 and 160bpm during the second and third trimesters.
If the heartbeat is too fast, too slow or irregular, there is a probability your baby is carrying some heart issue. However, these signs do not always indicate a heart problem and may warrant further testing via fetal echocardiogram.
In case of an abnormality, your doctor may ask you to change your position during the procedure so that the baby gets enough oxygen. If it does not resolve the condition, and the problem persists, they may order other tests for making the right diagnosis.
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Causes Of High Heart Rate During Pregnancy
In addition to the physiological factors, several other possible aspects can cause a rapid heartbeat. Some of them include:
- Changes in heart and blood flow: Your uterus requires more blood to supply enough oxygen and nutrients for the babys growth and development. As a result, your heart pumps around 30 to 50% more blood than usual . Therefore, the normal heartbeat, which is 60bpm to 80bpm, increases by 10bpm to 20bpm throughout pregnancy, and reaches the maximum around the third trimester .
- Anxiety: It is normal to worry about your baby and your safety during delivery, and about the overall responsibility of carrying another life. Anxiety might cause an increased heartbeat .
- Changes in the uterus size: The uterus increases in size to hold the growing fetus, and requires more blood supply for it . This leads to the heart working or beating more than usual to pump the extra blood to the uterus.
- Changing breasts: The mammary glands start to function while you are still pregnant and prepare the body for breastfeeding. As the breasts expand and the tissues enlarge, the mammary blood flow also increases, which means the heart has to pump more blood than usual .
- Medical conditions: Thyroid disorders , anemia , preeclampsia , and heart issues such as coronary heart disease and pulmonary hypertension could also stimulate heartbeat during pregnancy .
- Lifestyle factors: Cigarette smoking, alcohol abuse, exercise, and over-consumption of caffeine might also increase the heart rate.