Dizziness and palpitations

[Willyoudothefandango]

I'll be 17 weeks tomorrow, have low blood pressure and have been having palpitations for about 3 weeks. Tested for anaemia and am fine. Other blood tests done, still waiting to hear. 24 hour ECG results not back yet.

Tonight it's much worse, when I lay down the room spins around and around. As far as I can see the advice is to lie on left side and not on back. When i do the room stops spinning but heart still racing.

I was wondering if anyone's experienced this and if there's anything else I can do for now?

Are you anxious at all?
Is the dizziness etc something you've only had since becoming pregnant?

Hi boys, yeah just dieong pregnancy and just the last few weeks. Not anxious just quietly watching telly and sudden palpitations. I also woke twice I the night having them and when I opened my eyes the room was whizzing round.

Your heart has to work harder when your blood pressure is low. I know it's really hard and it is scary but you have to focus on taking deep breaths and filling your lungs with lots of air to get the oxygen moving round. Panicking about results etc will not help. Once your heart rate drops you'll feel better, I promise!!

If lying down doesn't help, then sit, it might just move the baby off an artery as well. You'll be ok it's just a really weird feeling! My blood pressure has been stupidly low, it's low at the best of times but pregnancy took it to a new level!!

If you're really worried and it doesn't calm down, don't hesitate calling an ambulance. Take care!

Thanks horseylady, think it must be a combo of baby on artery plus silly low bp. Yet another lovely pregnancy symptom that no one warns you about!

Sounds like what I had with ds1. My bp was 90/50 throughout whole pg. I have a heart murmer too so don't know if that affected the palpitations.

What helped me was raising my feet a little so they were above my heart (best lying on back for that).

Also make sure you're eating and drinking often so your blood sugar doesn't drop too low.

Years ago I used to wake in the night regularly with my heart pounding, but I was suffering from bad anxiety at the time.

It does take a little time for your body to get used to supporting a baby and low bp is quite common in pg. your heart will be working so hard. Make sure you take things nice and easy. And if you feel really bad or are particularly worried I'd phone the hospital (number should be on your notes)

Yeah my lowest has been about 74/47!!! But my resting heart rate always rises when it's like that!!

Echo the eating too, little and often!! Keep hydrated too!!

I saw my mw wed and had loads of questions, all of which were answered 'common in pregnancy' seriously felt like saying 'oh I'm growing a second head (which ok I technically am but you get me?!) and I'm sure shed have said it was ok, nothing to worry about!!

It does make me feel better though, knowing that other people have has it too and they didn't die I have to eat little and often, or the morning sickness gets me. But I've definitely realised it's worse when I'm dehydrated. Thanks for your help everyone. Off to lie in bed (on left with legs raised, of course)

Hi, I get a lot of palpitations normally and they have been much worse during pregnancy. I have seen a cardiologist in the past and she told me that no matter how uncomfortable they get, if they are 'normal' palpitations ie with no underlying problem (which I guess they would be during pregnancy as like others have stated your heart is just working really hard) then nothing bad will ever happen as a result of them. It's just annoying. Now I know this, I find it easier to ignore them, which makes me less stressed and in turn decreases their frequency. Obviously though if you feel there is something seriously wrong then you must get it checked out.

I had this at 8 weeks & it completely freaked me out. Lying on my left side all night was the only thing that kept it away. Doc said my blood pressure was fine it sounds like just another of those weird & wonderful symptoms we get sprung on us!