Racing heartbeat in third trimester?

[MissusWrex]

Anyone else getting this?

I go to a fetal well being unit twice a week for ctg monitoring. The last two weeks whenever they check my pulse it sets off the alarm in the monitor (usually around 120 bpm)

Thus has made me a bit nervous but the midwives seem nonplussed and just turn the alarm off. I assume it's got to be normal right?

I feel a bit shaky and get palpitations every so often so was just wondering if everyone else got this.

[Sparklycat]

I've been getting that since 2nd trimester, it's a combination of low blood pressure and low ferritin levels (iron stores), mainly a symptom of anemia.

[MissusWrex]

Ahh I do usually have quite low blood pressure and was borderline on my iron levels at the last blood test...

Thank you!

[Ginge16]

Experienced the same. Plus a painful arm. My iron levels were picked up as very low at 38 weeks and had an iron infusion. Felt so much better since. Would insist on another iron level check as I went weeks before mine was picked up and was really low.

[MissusWrex]

Thanks Ginge,

I've actually got a cesarean next week so will be having a blood test tomorrow. Does a full blood count check iron levels?

[Ginge16]

Mine was picked up as part of bloods taken to check for pre eclampsia, sorry I am not sure if it was part of a full blood count. I would have thought so. All the best for next week.

[ivykaty44]

Please go and just get checked out with GP

[cheapredwine]

wrex yes, AFAIK FBC includes iron levels (haemoglobin etc) - least the one I just had certainly did back on the bastard iron tablets

[MissusWrex]

Ah great will get that checked then.

Ivy I would most likely not get in to see my GP until after my section, it's usually a two week wait!

[Sparklycat]

The blood count will pick up your hb iron level but not your ferritin, please ask them to do a separate ferritin test (iron stores and they can be virtually non existent with your hb hovering around 'ok') low ferritin causes just as much problems as hb. Also they'll probably need to know if they're lower for your section due to risk of excessive bleeding. Hope all goes well!