Heart Palpitations During Pregnancy: Should I Worry?
If you are one of the many expectant mothers who complain of heart palpitations during pregnancy, you are at the right place. In this article, “What are the causes of palpitations in pregnancy and how is the treatment done?”, “Does palpitations during pregnancy harm your baby?” you will find answers to questions like.
What causes heart palpitations during pregnancy?
While the heart rate in a normal person is between 60 and 100 per minute, if the heart rate increases, expectant mothers will feel it as palpitations. Although palpitations are a common problem during pregnancy, they are usually short-lived. We can list the causes of heart palpitations during pregnancy as follows:
Increase in blood volume
From the 6th week of pregnancy, blood volume increases with the effect of hormones. The body does this in order to meet the baby’s increased blood needs and to balance the bleeding that may occur after birth. There is approximately 50% more blood in this period than before pregnancy.
The increase in blood volume affects the working speed of the heart, which leads to heart palpitations and shortness of breath during pregnancy.
Progesterone hormone
The progesterone hormone, which causes emotional and physical changes, increases during pregnancy. Among the side effects of this increase, palpitations are also seen during pregnancy.
Emotional factors
Emotions such as excitement and anger can cause heart palpitations. Therefore, experiencing such emotional situations or being stressed can cause heart palpitations in pregnant women.
Psychological factors
The cause of heart palpitations during pregnancy may also be psychological factors such as anxiety disorder and panic attacks. Sudden hormonal changes, stress, and anxiety while waiting for the baby during pregnancy also trigger these disorders.
Caffeine
Caffeine can cause heart palpitations when consumed in excess. Avoid caffeine as much as possible while pregnant, which is abundant in foods such as coffee, chocolate, brewed tea, cake and soda.
Other ailments
Apart from all these factors caused by heart palpitations during pregnancy, the following may also be;
- Anemia,
- Hypothyroidism,
- Low blood sugar,
- Lung and heart diseases
Does anemia cause heart palpitations?
Yes. Anemia causes heart palpitations and weakness feelings during pregnancy. Iron treatment is started against possible iron deficiency from the 4th month of pregnancy. Necessary blood tests and measurements are made. Thus, anemia prevention is taken.
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia during pregnancy. Nutritional problems are caused by diseases caused by parasites or infections.
Does heart palpitations during pregnancy harm the baby?
Heart palpitations during pregnancy usually do not affect your baby, as it is not a fearful situation, do not worry. The feeling of palpitations affects you more.
However, if the severity of the palpitations is so high that you are uncomfortable, the amount of oxygen delivered to the tissues is reduced. A palpitations that prevent you from breathing will also affect your baby.
Heart palpitations during pregnancy usually pass with rest. A serious heart or lung disease must be present in order for a situation that could put the health of your baby at risk.
Is heart palpitations normal after eating during pregnancy?
Heart palpitations may occur due to excessive insulin secretion immediately after eating. In fact, this heart palpitations are accompanied by weakness. This may indicate hypoglycemia. It will not harm your baby unless it is too severe. However, the risk of miscarriage increases in prolonged and recurrent hypoglycemia.
How does heart palpitations get over during pregnancy?
Heart palpitations during pregnancy can cause panic in expectant mothers. However, this situation makes the palpitations feel even more severe.
- Our first advice to you is to try to stay calm when you feel a palpitations.
- One of the common mistakes is lying on your back at the time of heart palpitations. Lying on the back in a resting position can cause a decrease in blood pressure and a feeling of pity, causing palpitations to increase more. For this reason, you should sit down or rest in a left lateral recumbent position.
- You should stay away from crowded environments that can cause heart palpitations during pregnancy, stressful environments and caffeine consumption.
Meditation and yoga are among the best options for heart palpitations in pregnancy. Proper breathing techniques and meditation methods help slow the heart rate over time. - To calm your mind and relax, taking 5 deep breaths every 1-2 hours is also good for your heart by lowering your stress level.
By the way, you can check your heart rate yourself. You can count your heart rate by placing your hand on your wrist or neck. If you experience palpitations frequently, take a note of your heart rate for a while. This works well when you see your doctor.