Very high heart rate

[lydia771]

I am 38 weeks pregnant, i have been into hospital 3 times over the last 3 weeks with reduced movements and my heart rate has been 130 bpm each time. The first time my baby's heart was over 200bpm and I was given drip fluids, the second time the same but baby's heart came down on its own. The third time which was the day before yesterday baby's heart was fine but mine settled to 104 after a few hours. Baby goes extremely quiet during my heart rate episodes.

They haven't given me any sort of reason why this could be happening, they mentioned dehydration and myself and baby being overly sensitive on one occasion but I drink at least 4 litres of water a day and my pee is always crystal clear.

I've ordered myself a fit bit so I can track it 24/7 from now on.

I just wondered if anyone has had a similar experience during pregnancy? I'm really concerned my heart rate episodes are affecting my baby.

Have they talked about referring you to a cardiologist, or just getting an opinion ?
Do you have any history of heart problems in your family ?

I’d keep an close eye on what you eat and drink and see if you can link that to the heart rate change.

Hormones could mean that you react differently to things that you used to.

I’m not a doctor but that’s where I’d start. The other point would be whether you’re taking any medication. I was once on something that didn’t list raised heart rate at all in the side effects bit it sent me through the roof!

I would talk to your midwife about requesting an induction. Baby is now full term so should be fine to be delivered. These episodes must be very scary for you and be causing a lot of stress so you have a good case to request it.

I could've written this post myself, I've had exactly the same experience recently and like you have not really had any answer for it. Other than being told it may be due to anxiety (which is something I can safely cross off because i don't feel the least bit anxious over anything

In terms of induction requests etc, it would be worth asking in my experience they aren't very keen on offering them out but it's definitely worth a try. I requested an ecg which showed up fine, so I just got sent home and told to monitor baby, which I have done closely but yet again because baby seems to sort itself out more often than not they aren't too fussed over me

Thanks everyone. No medication, will definitely keep a close eye on food and drink.

They have done 3 ecg's (always fine) as I also had an episode at 23 weeks, so it has been going on a while.

The advice one midwife gave me is to go to GP after baby is born and start investigations.

There is a family history of heart issues, my mum has arithmea (unsure on spelling there) and my grandmother has just had to have a triple bypass after a massive heart attack, her brother has had a quadruple bypass too.

I have a consultation appt and third growth scan tomorrow to make a 'plan of action' and induction has already been mentioned a few times as my baby is also on the rather large side! It is very stressful and at this point I would rather the baby is safe on the outside so I will push for induction anyway.

@lydia771 I hope you don't mind me asking but are you an anxious person?

For some reason, my heart rate always shoots up whenever I'm at hospital (last time, it was 150bpm!) but an ECG ruled anything bad out.

However, anywhere else (midwives, doctors etc), my heart rate is always much lower.

@tiredandclumsy yeah they keep asking me if I'm anxious. I have a history of anxiety so it's the first thing they assume, but I definitely am not anxious! They have me come in for daily monitoring now after the third episode in three weeks which I'm finding reassuring.

All through the night last night my heart was absolutely pounding whilst I'm just trying to sleep, baby was moving perfectly though when normally she would go quiet! Makes no sense.

How far along are you?

@Snackz I've had anxiety in the past but not for years. I'll be sitting at home, for example yesterday I was just watching tv cuddling my dog and I check my heart rate as I can feel my hands pulsing and it was 125 and doesn't come down - the lowest it went yesterday was 112.

The lowest it's ever been when it 'settles' in the hospital is 98.

Please tell them at your appointment about your mum’s arrhythmia and other family history.

@lydia771 I'm glad they're giving you extra monitoring at least, that's a good path to go down especially if you do have a history of anxiety
I'm 38+3 and I've been having these heart issues from around 30 weeks, I'd definitely push for an induction if they are willing to give you one!
Seems better to have baby out rather than in, if they offered me one I'd snap it up I had a few growth scans due to being in the MAU often and measuring small but baby is measuring fine so looks like a waiting game for me

@tiredandclumsy oh bless you, it's stressful isn't it as you just want baby to be safe. I came in for daily monitoring this morning and they weren't happy with my heart rate (going between 116-130) so I'm on the assessment ward waiting for... well I'm not sure what I'm waiting for! But they keep checking it every now and again. Gave me a litre and half of water to drink hoping that would get it down but nope made no difference. I overheard my name and 'offer an induction' a short while ago so hopefully that's what happens now. Hate all this waiting around but just happy my baby is moving fine.

I had this in my last pregnancy, at around 34 weeks it was picked up by my GP when I went in for another appointment unrelated, my heart rate was 130bpm. They ordered an ecg and referred me to ambulatory care.

I fished out my old fit bit and noticed even sat on the sofa my heart rate was at 105bpm.

The hospital was concerned about blood clots on the lungs as this can increase heart rate so I had an X-ray and VQ scan and they put me on blood thinners whilst awaiting my results. Scans all came back clear so they did an ultrasound of my heart which also came back clear. Doctor put it down to pregnancy and the added stress on they body.

I ended up being induced due to reduced movements at 38 weeks, and throughout my labour mine and the babies heart rates were monitored closely as there was some concern about them, ended up with an episiotomy to get DS out quicker.

Once I gave birth I put my Fitbit on and my resting heart rate was down to 59bpm!

Currently pregnant again and again my heart rate has gone up! Not quite as high as before but I’m currently 30 weeks so going to keep an eye on it over the next few weeks.

@Jasmine9835 that's really interesting. Not one doctor has mentioned the potential of blood clots or a scan!

My Fitbit arrived yesterday, it's averaging in the 120's when I'm up and about (not actually doing anything major just walking from sofa to living room at most) and it was 100-104 whilst I was in bed settling down.

Got sent home yesterday as I have consultant appt today, really hoping they offer an induction I'm getting rather stressed about the baby being ok.

Best of luck with the rest of your pregnancy!