The Normal Pulse Rate During Pregnancy
Pregnancy affects a women’s body in many ways, and one of these changes is your pulse rate, or the number of times your heart beats per minute. Also referred to as the heart rate, this increase in pulse reflects the heart working harder, pumping extra blood throughout the body. As part of routine prenatal care, and during labor and delivery, your doctor will monitor your pulse and other vital signs, such as blood pressure, in order to ensure they fall within safe ranges.
External Fetal Heart Monitoring
This method uses a device to listen to and record your babys heartbeatthrough your belly . One type of monitor is a Doppler ultrasounddevice. Its often used during prenatal visits to count the babys heartrate. It may also be used to check the fetal heart rate during labor. Thehealthcare provider may also check your babys heart rate continuouslyduring labor and birth. To do this, the ultrasound probe isfastened to your belly. It sends the sounds of your babys heart to acomputer. The rate and pattern of your babys heart rate are shown on ascreen and printed on paper.
When You Can’t Sleep
Of course, there are bound to be times when you just can’t sleep. Instead of tossing and turning, worrying that you’re not asleep, and counting the hours until your alarm clock will go off, get up and do something: read a book, listen to music, watch TV, catch up on letters or email, or pursue some other activity you enjoy. Eventually, you’ll probably feel tired enough to get back to sleep.
And if possible, take short naps during the day to make up for lost sleep. It won’t be long before your baby will be setting the sleep rules in your house, so you might as well get used to sleeping in spurts!
Also Check: Does Tylenol Increase Heart Rate
What To Expect When Youre Expecting
People get busy this time of yearand were not talking about holiday parties: National statistics show that most babies are born between July and Septembermaking winter the most common time to conceive.
But thats not all. Thanks to the holidays, this is also the time of the year when people are most likely to get a new Fitbit tracker.
If youre a mom-to-be, dont delay on activating your device your tracker can be a great way to monitor whether youre hitting many of the prenatal wellness goals your doctor is likely to recommend. Below, how your bodyand dashboardmay change during pregnancy.
A Healthy Diet To Regularise Pulse Rate
On an average, pregnant women are recommended to consume about 2,200 – 2,900 calories daily. Of course, this figure varies as per a womans body shape, weight, size, and dietary preferences. Hence, make sure to consult your gynaecologist regarding the perfect diet for you. Eating protein-rich foods, fruits and vegetables is always a good idea.
Don’t Miss: 10 Second Trick To Prevent Heart Attack
Internal Fetal Heart Monitoring
This method uses a thin wire put on your babys scalp. The wireruns from the baby through your cervix. It is connected to the monitor.This method gives better readings because things like movement dont affectit. But it can only be done if the fluid-filled sac that surrounds the babyduring pregnancy has broken and the cervix is opened. Yourprovider may use internal monitoring when external monitoring is not givinga good reading. Or your provider may use this method to watch your babymore closely during labor.
During labor, your healthcare provider will watch your uterine contractionsand your babys heart rate. Your provider will note how often you arehaving contractions and how long each lasts. Because the fetal heart rateand contractions are recorded at the same time, these results can be lookedat together and compared.
Your provider may check the pressure inside your uterus while doinginternal fetal heart monitoring. To do this, he or she will put a thin tube through your cervix and into your uterus. The catheter will senduterine pressure readings to a monitor.
Causes Of Increased Heart Rate During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the flow of blood from the heart needs to increase, to meet the additional requirement of the body.
This is the main cause of increased heart rate during pregnancy. After a woman conceives there are several alterations that gradually take place within her circulatory system, to accommodate the babys requirement for oxygen too. During pregnancy, the blood that reaches the baby through the placenta should carry the required amount of oxygen and nutrients, to ensure that the fetus develops properly. Due to this, the cardiac output of the heart increases by 30% to 50%.
Recommended Reading: Dehydration And Arrhythmia
Higher Resting Heart Rate As Pregnant
- Float this Topic for Current User
- Bookmark
Hi everyone!
I am pregnant at a early stage, only 5 weeks, but my resting heart rate has raised with 20bpm already.
Is there any way to tell fitbit I am pregnant and not suddenly out of shape?
Secound question: since I now have quite high pulse all the time, fitbit tells me I am in fatburn alot of the time. Today for 8 hours I was also peaking just by walking on the treadmill today, nomal pace.
Is that right?
Will I burn more calories during my pregnancy due to higher resting pulse?
I suspect your calorie burn may be slightly increased as a result of the higher heart rate. I also suspect it’s probably another reason pregnant women are adviced to up their calorie intake a bit, the main reason obviously being there’s a tiny human growing inside you
04-28-201712:31 – edited 04-28-201712:32
04-28-201712:31 – edited 04-28-201712:32
Congratulations on your pregnancy
It’s no surprise that your heart rate has gone up. This is very normal. A normal resting heart rate for a non-pregnant human is generally said to be from 60-100 bpm .
Fitbit actually has a blog article about pregnancy, so I urge you to check it out.
If you have any worries, I recommend you take these up with your doctor.
Most things on the internet should be taken with a huge grain of salt.
Thank you very much!:)
Or maybe I missed something? English is not my motherlanguage
What Causes Tachycardia During Pregnancy
In the 40 weeks of pregnancy, a womans heart has to work harder to cope with the physical changes and thus can be stressed. The following reasons justify why there is absolutely no need to panic on experiencing a slightly above the limit heartbeat.
Doctors usually classify the normal condition under gestational Supra-Ventricular Tachycardia .
Read Also: Fluticasone Heart Palpitations
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
What Happens After Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring
You do not need any special care after external fetal heart monitoring. Youmay go back to your normal diet and activity unless your healthcareprovider tells you otherwise.
After internal fetal heart rate monitoring, your healthcare provider willcheck your babys scalp for infection, bruising, or a cut. The providerwill clean the site with an antiseptic.
Your healthcare provider may give you other instructions, based on yoursituation.
You May Like: Can Acid Reflux Cause Heart Palpitations
How To Get Heart Rate Into A Normal Range
People whose heart rate falls outside their normal range should focus on why this happens, rather than trying to reach a particular number of BPM. Talk to a doctor before trying to change the heart rate.
In general, a healthful lifestyle may help a person remain healthy during pregnancy and can support a normal heart rate.
Common Questions Regarding Target Heart Rate In Pregnancy
You are not alone in wanting to know more about target heart rates when pregnant. Anything that can have an impact on your growing baby’s health is of concern.
Here are the most common questions I get about this topic. And there is one answer to all these questions that you will find below. Have you asked:
1. What is the truth about safe heart rates while pregnant?
2. What is a safe heart rate during pregnancy?
3. Should I limit my heart rate during pregnancy?
4. What’s a safe max heart rate during pregnancy?
5. How hard should you exercise while pregnant?
First, I want to provide just a brief background on target heart rates to help you understand it’s importance during exercise.
Also Check: Bottom Part Of Heart Not Working
Pelvic Floor Exercises In Pregnancy
The pelvic floor plays a particularly important role during pregnancy and labour22,23. Initially, it supports the weight of the growing baby. Later on, when labour begins, the pelvic floor helps to rotate the babys head into the ideal position, ready for birth. As the womb contracts to push the baby down, the gentle resistance from the flexible pelvic floor below encourages the babys chin to tuck and their head to turn. Once in this position, it is easier for the babys head to pass under the pubic bone, ready for crowning24.
A new mothers pelvic floor may be understandably weaker after birth. Around 40 percent of women who have given birth experience stress incontinence leaking urine when they sneeze or cough25. Mothers can experience stress incontinence regardless of delivery method, and it is thought to be mostly a consequence of being pregnant in general26. However, pregnant women undertaking pelvic floor muscle training have been found to have a lower incidence of urinary incontinence27 after birth.
What Should Expectant Mothers Avoid Whilst Exercising During Pregnancy
Perhaps the simplest change expectant mothers have to make is avoiding lying flat on their backs for long periods of time, especially after 16 weeks. The weight of the bump pressing on certain blood vessels can reduce cardiac output29, cause dizziness and affect the flow of blood that carries nutrients and oxygen to the baby. Instead, expectant mothers should be advised to lie on their sides.
While this means traditional stomach crunches should be avoided during exercise, core and pelvic floor strengthening exercises should still be included in their exercise routines. One way to work the core is for the mother to get onto all fours and make a box shape, with hands under the shoulders, knees under the hips, and a straight back. The stomach muscles should be pulled in, and the back arched towards the ceiling like a cat. This should be held for a few seconds, return to neutral, then repeat30.
Read Also: Dangers Of Exceeding Maximum Heart Rate
Heart Rate During Pregnancy Recommendations By Acog
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggest a pregnant woman should use her Rate of Perceived Exertion or the Talk Test.
ACOG states that a pregnant womans heart rate fluctuates throughout gestation, therefore making it difficult for you to determine from a number on a heart rate monitor just how hard your body is actually working.
Because of this, they recommend you use the Rate of Perceived Exertion and the Talk Test as it can be more effective.
Manage Anxiety And Mental Health
Anxiety can make the heart beat faster and make pregnancy more difficult.
People experiencing anxiety should talk to a doctor, practice slow and deep breathing, and speak with a mental health counselor specializing in prenatal mental health.
It is important to have regular prenatal visits with a doctor or midwife during pregnancy. Discuss any changes in heart rate, and make sure the healthcare provider takes heart rate and blood pressure readings.
A person should call 911 or their nearest emergency department immediately if they experience:
- chest pain or pressure
Read Also: Does Tylenol Increase Heart Rate
Symptoms Of Heart Palpitations During Pregnancy
You may experience the following symptoms if you have an increased heart rate during pregnancy.
- Shortness of breath even when you are sitting or lying down
- Palpitations and skipped heartbeats
- Light-headedness with dizzy spells and even fainting spells
- A persistent cough
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is best that you bring it to your doctors notice so that she can check whether these symptoms are normal or not.
Calculate Your Pulse Rate
According to the American Heart Association , you can calculate your resting heart rate by placing your finger on your wrist, the inside of your elbow, the side of your neck or the top of your foot. Your pulse should have a strong, steady beat.
Measure your resting heart rate first thing in the morning, ideally before you’ve gotten out of bed. Use a stopwatch or a clock with a second hand to keep track of the time. Count the number of beats during a 60-second period.
Read Also: How Does Blood Move Through The Heart
Heart Rate And Blood Pressure Changes During Pregnancy Are Less Dramatic Than Previously Thought
New analysis from over 36,000 healthy women in 20 countries suggests that physiological changes during pregnancy may not be as dramatic as traditionally taught. However, average blood pressures do appear to be increasing year on year.
Medical text books are based on data that is now over forty years old. New research from researchers at The University of Oxford, and published in BMC Medicine, includes much more recent data. The new findings show that changes to womens blood pressure and heart rate during pregnancy are not as striking as previously thought.
Traditionally, medical text books have taught students that blood pressure drops by 10-15mmHg during the middle of pregnancy. These text books are based on old data and quite small numbers of pregnant women. This newer and much larger analysis shows that the lower diastolic blood pressures seen mid-pregnancy are on average just 1-2 mmHg lower than the earliest measurements that were taken in about week 10. This is much less of a drop than suggested in the text books. The analysis also shows that, on average, systolic blood pressure rises very slightly through pregnancy.
Blood pressure in pregnant women has increased slightly each year since 1967. The steady increase in blood pressure over time since 1967 may be a result of pregnant women being older and heavier. Blood pressures are similar for those women pregnant with their first baby as for those who already have children.
Major Causes Of Tachycardia
Stress, Anxiety, and Fear:
Hormonal changes, expanding uterus, growing baby, increase in blood vessels, and other changes in the body cause stress to the heart. It can cause tachycardia during pregnancy. Expectant mothers also quite naturally feel a constant sense of dread about the safety of the baby and herself. The psychological tumult can definitely manifest as panic attacks and anxiety.
Overworking Heart:
Your body has to adapt to various changes demanding an increased output from the heart. Besides setting the heartbeat of your growing fetus, your heart also has to meet the needs of replenishing the changing body.
Recommended Reading: Does Tylenol Increase Heart Rate
Acog’s History On Target Heart Rate For Pregnancy
Like many things, recommendations and advice will change based on what current research is available.
In 1985, ACOG conducted a study that resulted in their recommendation of 140 beats per minute as the maximum heart rate for a pregnant woman who is exercising. Because of this study, many trainers still use this 140 bpm as a guide.
Bu then in 1996, the ACOG rescinded this guideline.
Is there Any More Current Research?
Yes! In April 2020 ACOG determined that perceived exertion is a more effective way to monitor intensity than heart rate monitors.
Are There Limitations on Exercise During Pregnancy?
In the past, women were cautioned against exercising when pregnant. Then they were cautioned about doing aerobic exercise during pregnancy. This is no longer true as exercise is highly recommended.
I have included PregActive FIT workouts into every week of my online prenatal fitness program for those who are looking for a more advanced workout. If you choose this workout, then you will need to apply the talk test.
Most women should continue exercising throughout their pregnancy as long as they adhere to the guidelines for exercising during pregnancy.
There are some sports, activities and exercises that you must avoid. You can read more about those here: Exercises to avoid when pregnant >
Key Takeaway
Learn More About My Online Programs
What Is Fetal Heart Monitoring
Fetal heart rate monitoring measures the heart rate and rhythm of your baby. This lets your healthcare provider see how your baby is doing.
Your healthcare provider may do fetal heart monitoring during latepregnancy and labor. The average fetal heart rate is between 110 and 160beats per minute. It can vary by 5 to 25 beats per minute. The fetal heartrate may change as your baby responds to conditions in your uterus. Anabnormal fetal heart rate may mean that your baby is not getting enoughoxygen or that there are other problems.
There are 2 ways to do fetal heart monitoring, external and internal:
Also Check: Low Blood Pressure Heart Failure Elderly