Tracking your heartrate

ammetko04

Is anyone using a device to track their heartbeat? After seeing the news article about how a woman noticed her heart rate with her fitbit was significantly higher then found out she was pregnant I started just watching mine. My resting heart rate was high for a few days then has slowly started to decrease. Just wondered if anyone else had noticed changes.

mrszoess

I read that article 2 days before a bfp. I have been using a heart rate app on my phone bc when my blood pressure was unmanaged my doctor recommended it. 

that day (way before bfp) was 15 beats higher than normal. it was so incredibly interesting and AWESOME. I knew right then lol. 

the app is called "heart rate free" and I have an iPhone  

mrszoess

also mine has remained high. I'll be 6 weeks tm. 

ammetko04

I'm 7w and my rate when I got my bfp was 81. Today it's 74. It has slowly been decreasing. Looking at my data it's hard to know what normal really is for me. I'm all over the place.

SJG812

I wear a fitbit and keep track of my heart rate. Before becoming pregnant my resting heart rate was about 62-65. Since the approximate time i ovulated it increased to high 60's and now in my 6th week its contributed to creep up to low to mid 70's. Its one of the biggest symtpoms i have noticed...especially when sitting still when I am driving or trying to fall asleep I feel like ny heart is racing!

CopperBoom86

This was actually my first indicator of pregnancy, although I didn't put 2 & 2 together until after my BFP. My FitBit has a heart rate monitor and my resting heart rate has been in the low 50's since I got the FitBit in October. I O'ed on January 30th and a couple days after that, my resting heart rate started to rise daily. It has now plateaued at around 62 bpm.

Looking back, it was a clear indicator that something was up... pretty cool! 

annabenanna

I haven't tracked my heart rate, but have been on the lookout for a good heartrate monitor (fitbit is so expensive!).  I've been told I need to keep my heart rate under 150 while working out.  I didn't know pregnancy elevates your heart rate.  Now I'm curious!

CopperBoom86

@annabenanna - I think Polar has some HR trackers that are cheaper than FitBit. 

Keeping your HR under 150 is a good rule of thumb during pregnancy, however, if you have no way of tracking it, another good rule is to work at 70-80% intensity. You can be sweating lightly but you should still be able to hold a conversation if needed.

annabenanna

Thanks @CopperBoom86 , that's a good rule!  I find that the only workout I exert a lot of effort in is boxing.  Pilates, barre and trx don't really leave me winded.... but boxing is another story.  Maybe I need to stop.  

Kaytee1087

Yes to heart pounding! I used to keep track of my HR and then stopped for a while, but picked it back up again when I started feeling my heart actually beating more intense than normal. I use the same monitor on my iPhone that @mrszoess uses and I really like it. It's easy and free. 

ammetko04

I feel like I should be freaking out because I've seen a decrease

missteacherlady16

ammetko04 said:

I feel like I should be freaking out because I've seen a decrease

I feel like there a million things to worry about in the first trimester and this is not one of them. I know it's hard, but you need to stop obsessing over this 

ammetko04

Thank you! You're correct. I know, this first trimester drags on. I know everyone is feeling some sort of anxiety until their doctors appointment. No need to stress.