Irregular heartbeat?

cmacoct2012

Hi everyone - I also posted this on my birth club forum, so sorry if you've read this already! Today I had my weekly prenatal appointment (35 weeks), and when the doctor took the baby's heartbeat it seemed to be skipping a beat every once in awhile. The doctor listened for a while to make sure the baby wasn't just kicking and disrupting the sound, but it persisted. She decided to send me for an ultrasound which I hope will be this week. Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks so much

FutureMrsGaff

I experienced this same issue with my son 2 yrs ago- it was an arrhythmia, specifically a premature atrial contraction.  You could hear it skip a beat on the doppler and at subsequent ultrasounds. I had to see a maternal fetal medicine specialist at the hospital who did a more comprehensive ultrasound.  I was told that the GREAT majority of babies outgrow them before delivery- I think by 36 weeks.  I can't recall when my OB first heard it, maybe 34 wks, but sometime right around there.  (OB and the specialist both said this). I remember it being present at the first appt with the MFM specialist, but as predicted, it was gone by my next appt with him which was right around or right after 36 wks.  I was told not to worry and that they weren't going to worry about it until they had a reason to, so I chose not to as well!

rapaulson

Hi! Just lurking... My son had premature atrial contractions from about 32 weeks to 36 weeks sounded like a skipped beat now and then It meant a lot of extra monitoring and worries for me but they went away and he was born with a totally healthy heart! Good luck I hope you have the same outcome!

cmacoct2012

Thanks for the info I am still waiting to hear when the ultrasound will be - hopefully soon!!

LoveActually4

My son had PACs from 30 weeks to 33 weeks.  They monitored me closely (weekly ultrasounds) but it resolved on it's own at 33 weeks.  It is very common most of the time resolves before L&D.