Unexplained Tachycardia at 34 weeks

[ThirdTimeLucky27]

I’m just home from a 6 hour visit to maternity triage.. I went up due to having a bit of a funny turn this morning where I came over feeling sick and dizzy followed by 10 minutes or so of feeling really shaky. I’ve also noticed the past couple of days I’ve had swelling in my hands, feet and lowers legs (My socks are leaving dents in my legs) 🙄

I was left on a blood pressure monitor for a while and told all the readings were borderline so I had bloods and urine test. It was noted that my heart rate was high mainly around 130 but the lowest it went down to was 107. So they requested an ECG, which showed unexplained tachycardia.

All blood pressure tests came back okay, they want to keep a closer eye so I’m going to have my blood pressure taken twice a week from now on.

But my main worry now is the tachycardia, it makes me feel faint and breathless and when it goes over a certain level it seems to make babies heart rate higher as-well. This has been an issue for me from around 20 weeks. Has anyone else had this? If so is this a fair reason for an elective c section or an induction? Thanks

This happened to me around 35 weeks, and baby was born at 36 weeks. Although prem everything was ok. In hindsight I was really stressed around my pregnancy and I think that's why my body reacted the way it did. How are you feeling about your pregnancy?

Thank you for the reply! Being honest I’m terrified now, my last labour was extremely fast and resulted in a PPH. I’m so scared of not getting to hospital or my heart not being able to deal with the labour. I do feel like my body is really struggling so maybe it’s a similar situation. Glad all turned out okay for you x

I feel for you, when I was pregnant with my second I was told I was likely to have him before 36 weeks because my first was early and labour was also very fast. He came at 39 weeks (felt like the longest pregnancy ever at that point). But I was always stressed, like you, that I wouldn't get to the hospital in time. Everything worked out in the end, it always does. You can only plan so much but if you end up having your baby in the car or in the bathtub (happened to people I know!) you will get through it when you have no other choice and perhaps accepting that there's a limit to what you can plan and do. You've just got to have faith that you're a strong woman who will bring this baby into the world in the best way that you can. Is homebirth an option? Not advising it but if you mention it to midwives and they accept then you'll be able to have them on call for when you are due (if you're worried about making the journey quick enough)
Sorry for not sounding helpful, I know it must be really emotional for you but sometimes you've got to tick the practical and logical boxes before letting emotions and stress/worries get the better of you. You can't predict what will happen, but you can somewhat prepare for various scenarios. How far is your hospital?

Also have you noticed what would make you feel dizzy? For me it was getting up too quickly, or laying on my back too long. They always advise to lay on your left for e.g. as it's better for your heart/circulation.
Try to keep distracted and get those dopamine hits, laugh at a comedian, deep breaths when you feel worried.. things like that helped me

Thank you. Yes getting up too quickly or standing up at all sends my heart through the roof which in turn makes me dizzy. I’m stuck between telling myself to relax and that it will all be okay and feeling like I just can’t deal with the anxiety of it all. Hospital is a 30 minute drive this time, unfortunately partner is dead against a home birth but to be honest I think I will feel happier being in hospital incase anything happens

My husband was set against a home birth and I didn't want one either, but I said to the midwives that I wanted one in case labour was fast again, otherwise maternity ward. They were happy to write down both on the birth plan and gave me some paperwork re homebirth. All it meant was that I knew what I needed to have on hand if push came to shove and also that a midwife would be on call. I would rather that than waiting for an ambulance. It was just prep in case it happened quickly again, we are also 30 mins from hospital!
Anyway, you know what you've got to do really, it's just hard to change your mindset..of course you're going to worry about yourself and your baby, that's normal and natural. Just try to set a limit on how much you're going to allow yourself to feel stressed and use techniques to keep your body in a calmer state

Sorry that was supposed to say birth unit not maternity ward

I had SVT all through my pregnancy and had a section because of it. My heart would go from normal to 180 and would have to be forced back into normal rhythm, so not quite the same as you but I understand the concern. They did say I could have had a vaginal delivery but I didn't think it was worth the risk, and all was fine in the end.

I’ve had high blood pressure and a high heart rate since about 16 weeks, sometimes as high as 170. Everything always comes back normal so they’ve just put it down to an increase in circulating blood volume whilst pregnant. They’re just planning to induce me on my due date so far

I think it's very common tbh, to have both some dizziness and tachycardia. Your body is under a lot of strain and your heart has got a whole load of extra human to pump to. I've got a resting tachycardia at 33 weeks and can easily get above 150 just moving around. I wouldn't be worried about that on its own

Hey! Sorry don’t want to hijack the thread but reading these replies has kind of made me hopeful that I may be able to potentially have a third baby one day.
my second pregnancy and the tachycardia during it, and during the labour has scared me so much - to the point I didn’t want to ever get pregnant again.

how are you OP? Hope you’re okay! Have you had baby yet? X

Hello 👋
Yes baby girl was born on the 8th Dec.. I was induced at 37 weeks as I developed preeclampsia but the tachycardia didn't effect my labour at all and has settled down to normal levels again now at 4 weeks postpartum. Good luck ☺️