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Heart Palpitations

paigep8paigep8 member
edited December 2014 in 3rd Trimester

I have noticed my heart skipping a beat has been coming and going throughout the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.  I have spoken to my OB about it and she told me it is normal in pregnancy.  Two years ago I went to the ER with what turned out to be a panic attack, but they did a echo and a stress test to rule anything else out and everything came back perfect.  Anyways, I am wondering if anyone has found anything that helps (I take magnesium daily to help me relax, I exercise, I need to do better and relaxing). 

I am getting nervous that I will have heart palpitations while in labor and that will cause me more anxiety, etc... Anyone have any experience/knowledge of how the heart reacts during labor?  TIA.

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Re: Heart Palpitations

  • LunaLLunaL member
    I don't know about labor yet, but I'm experiencing my heart racing like an anxiety attack at 37 weeks. I mentioned it to my midwife, but since my blood pressure is fine she isn't worried. Remember that your body is producing excess blood right now, and your body is getting ready for labor. For me knowing that there is a normal biological reason for the fast pulse helps me. And of course drink more water (because that's the solution for everything in pregnancy. :)
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  • paigep8paigep8 member

    @LunaL-very true about the water. :-)  My heartrate goes up sometimes too, but for some reason that doesn't alarm me as much as the skipped beats.  Just curious what will happen during labor.  I am sure relaxing and not stressing about it would help. :-)

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  • NicoleWINicoleWI member
    Mine does that a lot, although actually NOT recently. More first trimester and postpartum. It's freaky. I think I had the most issues postpartum while nursing. I have also had mine checked and they have said it's fine. I was wondering if I should go in again b/c it was happening so much, but then it calmed down again. Must have been a hormone change.

    In any case, I had no issues during labor. During my c-section, they noticed that I was skipping beats even though I didn't even feel it at that time. 

    You could ask your OB anyway just to be sure you've checked it out again.
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  • paigep8paigep8 member

    Good to know Nicole.  Thanks for sharing your experience.  I was at a work event this morning and I have noticed that being on my feet and overstimulated caused me to experience a few today.  As soon as I got in my car and left the event, I haven't been bothered.  Just nervous about them happening during labor or I guess I am just nervous about labor and this is just one more thing. 

    So they didn't give you medication during your c-section to help control them?  During your postpartum episodes, were you given any recommendations?  TIA!

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  • NicoleWINicoleWI member
    I've always had some irregular heartbeats, so it was never really an issue. THey just say it's "normal." So, no, I never had any meds or anything. As I mentioned, it was getting bad for a while and I was going to go in and get checked, but then they kind of went away, and then I got pregnant again. I haven't had any big issues lately.
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  • AMomWithABlogAMomWithABlog member
    I am a mental health practitioner. 

    Heart palpitations ARE normal during pregnancy, but obviously if you have a history of panic attacks they could be exacerbated. 

    I recommend that you start practicing deep breathing and relaxation methods now - daily to several times a day depending on your anxiety level - in order to prepare for labor if you really fear you will be battling them that day. Being in a hospital and not knowing exactly what to expect can be anxiety inducing...and having a panic attack is a vicious cycle that makes you panic more. 

    Might I suggest that you search Youtube for some guided relaxations. A channel that I frequent for me and my clients is one by Jason Stephenson. Here is an example of one of his guided relaxations for anxiety and stress: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vO1wPAmiMQ
    That channel also offers several videos of relaxing music and pictures without actual guided/spoken relaxation. 

    You can also practice proper breathing to reduce anxiety if you would rather not listen to anything. Calm breathing involves taking smooth, slow, and regular breaths. Sitting upright allows for the most air intake, but laying down is pleasant too. 
     1. Take a slow breath in through the nose, breathing into your lower
     belly (for about 4 seconds)
     2. Hold your breath for 1 or 2 seconds
     3. Exhale slowly through the mouth (for about 4 seconds)
     4. Wait a few seconds before taking another breath 


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