How does a mother's pulse change during pregnancy?

The pulse during pregnancy throughout the entire period is the most important biological indicator, the study of the properties of which is necessary to monitor the physiological and psychological state of health of the mother and fetus.

Heart rate (HR) is an individual indicator that largely depends on what the pulse was before pregnancy, on the physical fitness and emotional stability of the expectant mother.

The table shows how the pulse rate in pregnant women changes depending on the period of gestation. Throughout the entire period of the 1st trimester, this may be barely noticeable, but by the middle of the second, it is simply impossible not to notice a change in heart rate towards an increase. Still, the heart has to pump a much larger volume of blood than just a few weeks ago.

The pulse at rest from the 1st to the 13th week of pregnancy should not exceed 100 beats, and the average rate is usually taken to be 80-90 beats. But as we have already said, the exact value of the heart rate is determined by the doctor, based on the diagnostic studies performed and the individual characteristics of the body. Therefore, do not miss consultations with the specialist observing you, even if you do not feel any changes in your health.

The third trimester is accompanied by an even greater increase: in the later stages, the resting heart rate can reach up to 120 beats per minute. And only after 32 weeks the indicators gradually return to the norm we were accustomed to before pregnancy.

Heartbeat during pregnancy: what can affect its frequency

The embryo develops in the uterine cavity, and at the same time its own blood circulation is formed. During a normal and healthy pregnancy, a woman’s hormonal background changes and regulates the functioning of the heart, metabolism, etc. As the fetus grows, its needs increase, requiring significantly more nutrients and oxygen. At the same time, the volume of blood and the speed of flow through the vessels increases. Extra pounds have a negative impact. The heart experiences a double load even during a stable pregnancy. Therefore, the pulse rate and blood pressure are generally elevated. In the absence of other problems or pathologies, this is considered normal.

It is often found that women who had heart problems before pregnancy do not suffer from any ailments or illnesses for the entire nine months, while other, healthy women in labor experience sudden surges in blood pressure and pulse. This is all purely individual, so you need to constantly see a doctor and follow all recommendations.

How to measure heart rate correctly during pregnancy

You can measure your heart rate at home, on your own:

1. In a calm state, you need to sit down or lie down.
2. Place your middle or index finger on your wrist near the protruding vein.
3. When you feel the pulsation, turn on the stopwatch for one minute and start counting.

In addition to this method, you can measure the pulse in the cervical artery using the same method. Some modern tonometers simultaneously calculate the heartbeat along with the pressure level.

In the hospital, it is sometimes measured using an ultrasound or ECG of the heart.

It is necessary to measure heart rate only in a calm state.

What are the normal heart rate per minute during pregnancy?

The pulse is the dilation of blood vessels that occurs when the left ventricle contracts.
The organ pushes blood into the vessels and they expand, causing vibrations, which are perceived as the heart rate. While carrying a child, a woman’s heart is subjected to double load; the volume of blood pumping can be one and a half, two liters more than usual. This is an emergency value of 10-15 units.

It is not difficult to calculate the normal state of the heartbeat: add 10-20 units to the normal heart rate before pregnancy.

1st trimester

At the beginning of pregnancy, in the first weeks, the formation of fetal organs occurs; the body actively nourishes and saturates the embryo with oxygen through the mother’s blood. Because of this, the heart muscle is forced to work with double force, which increases the heart rate. Early toxicosis also contributes to this.

The rate of heart rate can reach 110 beats per minute in a calm state. The highest value is allowed during physical exertion, fatigue or severe anxiety.

At the beginning of the pregnancy, the expectant mother is characterized by a high pulse and normal blood pressure.

2nd trimester

In the middle of the period, the organs of the embryo are formed and the heartbeat decreases to 80-95 beats per minute. Often by the twenty-fifth week of pregnancy it increases again and can reach 120 beats. This is due to the fact that the child’s cardiovascular system has developed and more circulating blood is needed to deliver nutrients and oxygen.

3rd trimester

The last period of pregnancy is accompanied by active growth of the fetus and a high load on the entire body. The volume of circulating blood increases by one and a half liters. This is necessary for normal blood supply to the baby and additional reserve in case of bleeding after delivery. All processes affect the rhythm of the heart, the pulse quickens. Shortness of breath and swelling often occur.

The average heart rate in the third trimester is 120 beats per minute. The norm is considered to be values ​​ranging from 110 to 150 beats, depending on the individual characteristics of the woman. Often, high readings are a sign of gestosis, so it is important to be constantly monitored by a doctor.

Immediately after birth

In the postpartum period, a rapid heartbeat is often observed, but rhythmic. The body returns to normal after the process. In some women, the heart rate sometimes slows down to 60-50 beats per minute. This is called bradycardia. The phenomenon often accompanies women in labor in the first hours after the birth of the child. There is no exact explanation for bradycardia; doctors have differing opinions. Also, blood pressure may decrease immediately after childbirth, but just as quickly returns to normal.

Video on the topic

You may be interested in a video that contains detailed facts about tachycardia in pregnant women: causes, symptoms, threats and treatment.

While carrying a baby, every woman may encounter various health problems, even if she has not previously experienced any problems. The body undergoes serious changes, the load increases, especially on the cardiovascular system. But with the right approach and following medical recommendations, you can cope with such disorders, and they will not affect the course of pregnancy.

Share your experience in the comments if you have experienced heart palpitations during pregnancy . What treatments have been most effective for you?

If your heart rate is increased: reasons

High during pregnancy occurs due to many factors:

1. The first trimester, the laying of organs and the formation of the fetus force the body to work doubly, which contributes to an increased heart rate.
2. On average, a pregnant woman has a heart rate of 110-120 beats per minute. This is due to the increased work of the heart muscles and other organs.
3. Hormones of the expectant mother and increased emotionality affect the heartbeat, contributing to an increase.
4. In the first and last weeks of emergency, students suffer from toxicosis.
5. Overwork, stress, anxiety - all this provokes an increase in heart rate.
6. Sharp jumps appear during periods of active fetal growth.
7. When lying on your back for a long time, the heart rate becomes more frequent, because the uterus puts strong pressure on the abdominal aorta, squeezing it, so this position is not recommended, especially in the last stages.
8. With respiratory and infectious diseases, the heart rate increases.
9. Some medications increase heart rate.
10. If a woman has bad habits: drinks alcohol and smokes cigarettes.
11. Women in labor who have heart problems before pregnancy often suffer from a rapid heart rate.
12. Exercise stress.
13. Overweight.
14. Poor nutrition and absence or lack of vitamins.
15. Foods high in caffeine increase your heart rate.

This type of heart activity causes dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath in the expectant mother, makes it difficult to breathe, and may cause pain in the chest area. You should tell your doctor about all changes in your health and well-being.

For tachycardia, caesarean section is not recommended, but if it is necessary, the process occurs under the careful supervision of a cardiologist.

Diagnosis of tachycardia

The first doctor to whom a woman expecting a child should report her complaints about her heart function is a gynecologist. It is he who determines the further plan of action. The list of activities performed to examine the patient’s condition includes:

• general blood test - to exclude blood diseases, the level of red blood cells and hemoglobin is determined;
• blood test for hormones - checks the functioning of the thyroid gland;
• urine analysis - the level of adrenaline breakdown products is determined;
• electrocardiogram - graphically reflects the electrical activity of the heart;
• rheography - allows you to assess the general state of blood supply;
• echocardiogram - evaluates the condition of the heart muscle.

Based on the results of tests and procedures, the doctor will offer effective and safe therapy that will correct and improve the woman’s well-being without affecting the fetus. If necessary, the expectant mother will be referred to a specialized doctor.

Why does a slow heartbeat occur?

Slow heartbeat is rare among pregnant women.
Most often this happens in athletes who have been actively involved in strength training and have a trained heart. Bradycardia occurs against the background of some chronic diseases:

• thyroid diseases;
• kidney pathologies;
• disruption of the circulatory system;
• problems with the nervous system.

What is the danger of tachycardia in an expectant mother?

When the heart rate increases, the expectant mother sometimes feels weakness, dizziness, numbness of the limbs and other unpleasant symptoms that can lead to negative consequences - the woman may fall, lose consciousness, or vomit. In addition, such sensations irritate the pregnant woman, worsening her psycho-emotional state.

Tachycardia can be a consequence of problems with the cardiovascular system in a woman, and an increase in the load on the heart during pregnancy can lead to problems for the child, since it is the circulatory system that provides the fetus with oxygen and all the necessary substances for its growth and development. In addition, if left without proper attention, pathology can provoke the development of heart disease, which can lead to serious consequences, including the death of the woman.

Symptoms that require immediate medical attention

If you experience any symptoms of abnormal heartbeat, you should immediately inform your doctor and seek help.
An increased pulse - tachycardia - can cause gestosis, which is dangerous to the health of the woman and child. Reduced heart rate - bradycardia, can cause complete cardiac arrest, this occurs when the pulse drops to 40 beats per minute. At the same time, the pressure decreases greatly.

Another pathology of heart rate is arrhythmia - frequent pulse surges. It also poses a high risk to the woman and baby. Possible cardiac arrest and death for both.

For any problems with the pulse, a specialist must find out the cause; the health of the woman in labor and the child, as well as the type of delivery, depends on this.

Treatment

Treatment of paroxysmal tachycardia during pregnancy is carried out exclusively in a hospital setting, with the obligatory administration of intravenous antiarrhythmic solutions Novocainomide, Procainomide and Quinidine.

What to do with physiological tachycardia during pregnancy? Treatment should begin with establishing a daily routine, normalizing sleep and rest, and giving up bad habits, including excessive caffeine consumption. Usually, positive emotions, proper rest and light physical activity in the fresh air stabilize the heart rate, returning it to normal.

If the attacks do not go away, the doctor may resort to prescribing magnesium drugs, for example, Magne B6. Magnesium strengthens the muscle fibers of the heart and restores its tissue. In addition, treatment of tachycardia during pregnancy in this case may include taking sedatives such as Valerian and Motherwort.

Does a woman’s heart rate affect her fetus?

Problems with the heartbeat of a pregnant woman can provoke various pathologies in the child, mainly:

1. Anemia.
2. Hypoxia.
3. Intrauterine infections.
4. The development and growth of the fetus slows down.
5. The child's brain suffers the most.

Pregnancy is, at the same time, the best and difficult period. A woman should be extremely careful about her health and well-being. You need to visit your doctor regularly and follow the recommendations. Any changes in heart rate can negatively affect pregnancy and the general condition of the expectant mother and child.

Forecast

If tachycardia is caused by physiological changes in the body of a pregnant woman, then the prognosis is favorable - after childbirth it goes away on its own and without a trace.

If the cause of the attacks were pathological changes, especially if the woman ignored the disease, did not report it to the doctor and did not take the required medications, then the consequences can be sad:

• premature labor;
• development of heart failure;
• blood clot formation.