Worried about heart

maldiaz

I've dealt with heart palpitations for several years and the doctor always thought it was from anxiety. I've had several EKGs and worn a heart monitor and everything came back with no concerns. I'm 22 weeks pregnant with my first child and the palpitations seem to be more prevalent. I'm terrified that my heart won't be strong enough for labor. Irrational fears seem so real when pregnant. Can anyone relate?

dana1047

I can't personally relate, but I can reiterate that medicine & technology has made things much better for those with health issues.

I watched an episode on birth day last week of a lady with severe heart problems. They kept a cardiologist on hand during her delivery. Never be afraid of voicing your fears with your doctor. It could make them more alert just in case!!

stephmackenzie

My new OB diagnosed me with a murmer today.. I'm not much encouragement but I'm worrying about the same things too! Hope all goes ok!

MitoRachel

@maldiaz are the palpitations worse while standing vs. laying down? Before I was pregnant with my first I had POTS which is heart racing on standing or sometimes even sitting. Due to that I read a book on the Bradley birthing method because they show you how to lay down during labor and relax. It was also put in my chart before hand that if I needed an epidural to start with a low dose to make sure my blood pressure didn't drop. The last 3 weeks of pregnancy I was so tired I couldn't imagine giving birth, but when the day came I had a great labor and delivery.

AmCheri

I've always had heart palpitations which seem to correlate with stress. During my first pregnancy, they were pretty bad. My MFM said that is very typical during pregnancy. He wasn't at all concerned. You should def discuss with your own doctor.

annapants26

Had a conversation with my OB about this last Tuesday. I have a small heart murmur which feels like an extra beat/flutter every once in a while. Lately I've been having more thundering heart beats when I go to bed at night and they have really scared me (I'dsay 2-3 times a week for about 2 min). She told me the excess of blood generated at this point in pregnancy can often "overwhelm" the cardiac system especially when getting up or laying down (going from vertical to horizontal or vice versa). She ALSO said -- and this really surprised me-- that many of her patients report this going away or at least lessening by the beginning of the third trimester!