What's a normal heart rate?

campington · March 2014

I'm 36 weeks and the babies heart rate was 120. My Dr asked me like 3 times in the appointment about his movements. I track regularly and he does but Ive never felt strong pronounced kicks or anything and now her questioning has now started to worry me. I'm a first time Mom so I know it's likely I'm overly worried and paranoid.

But is 120 at 36 weeks normal?

Thanks!

mcgeeva · March 2014

Mine sons is always around 130-145. If worried I would schedule a doc apt and see what they think. Possibly do nst to check baby's stress?

Abcollins57 · March 2014

I discussed this with my doctor on my last visit. She told me that baby's heart rate will slow down as labor gets closer. Plus I've had it checked in ultrasound, it was 160, then went ten feet away and the doctor picked up 135. It just depends on what baby is doing at that particular moment.

maelic · March 2014

My OB says 120-160 is normal.

jaysears · March 2014

My daughter was always in the 160's, and this time with my son he is usually around 150.

PoppySeedWindsor · March 2014

Monster1984 said:

My dr told me the normal range is 120-160. It varies depending on what baby is up to in there. If you are concerned you might want to discuss further with your doctor and ask if an NST should be done.

My doctor told me the same thing last week.

awc1986 · March 2014

I was told 110-170 is fine.

Sammy230289 · March 2014

110 to 180 depending on movements on baby. Same with us the more we move the higher the heart rate

pdilly2b · March 2014

I had a scare with this yesterday at my midwife appt. Her rate was low by doppler (I didn't get the number, but I could tell right away just by listening that it was different than usual) and they hooked me up to the monitor for like 35 min. For the first 20 mins, it was all in the 120s with almost no accelerations/decelerations (which is what they were looking for). Then all of a sudden, she got really busy and it was bouncing around in the 130s-150s. So this basically confirmed we caught her right at the start of a sleep cycle and everything is fine. Though I will say I'm super aware of her moving now just to make sure everything seems OK.

My midwife also mentioned to me that as the baby's head goes lower in the pelvis, that pressure gets put on a nerve at the back of their neck, which is why resting heart rates start going down closer to birth. They are also more restricted in their ability to move around. Totally normal for the heart rate to be in the 120s or even 110s because of this issue. As long as periodic movement and accelerations that go along with the movements, then all is OK.

So that's my long-winded answer to basically not worry too much unless movement really stops.

JAM85 · March 2014

If they are really concerned they can do a NST- I've have to go to L&D twice where they hook you up and her HR varies from 129-162 based on her movements. When she kicks it spikes and when she is less inclined to be active it hovers at the low range.

sweetbeachbum · March 2014

I get a better heart rate at ultrasounds. Then at doctors app. they seem lower. Plus resting vs. Active. My baby has been 140- 150 in third trimester.

campington · March 2014

Thanks everyone! I feel better about it now

Smores730 · March 2014

I had a checkup where the heart rate was at 120 and I questioned it. They had one of those mini u/s machines in the room and my doctor showed me that the baby was napping.

HeavenBlessedMom · March 2014

All of mine are 140-160 at 29 wks

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