Frequent pulse in pregnant women. Pregnant woman's pulse

During the period of bearing a child, fundamental changes in all processes and the functioning of organs occur in a woman’s body. This is necessary to ensure that the fetus receives the necessary substances.

Often expectant mothers experience palpitations and shortness of breath. The heart rate may also increase slightly during pregnancy, usually by no more than 10-15 units per minute.

From a physiological point of view, this is a normal phenomenon, but if the numbers significantly exceed the norm or do not reach the borderline values and at the same time the woman feels dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, then this may indicate the development of serious diseases.

In this case, you need to consult a doctor and undergo the necessary examinations to prevent Negative consequences for yourself and your child.

Pulse during pregnancy

Normally, an adult's heart rate should be between 80 and 90 beats per minute. This value is so unstable that it can fluctuate under conditions of changes in humidity and air temperature, when taking medications or during psychological and physical stress.

At the same time, the number of reductions varies slightly.

For expectant mothers, due to the correction of hormonal levels, uterine growth and other features of pregnancy, an increase in contractions by 10-20 units is considered normal and does not cause any particular concern.

When the heart pushes blood into the vessels, they expand and oscillate. This phenomenon is called heartbeat.

If the number of beats increases, the heart begins to contract intensively to ensure the supply of oxygen, activating metabolic processes.

This is often observed during pregnancy, when the heart needs to pump a large volume of blood due to physiological characteristics. At the same time, the load increases along with the weight, which forces the organ to accelerate movement.

Why is it important to monitor your heart rate?

When there is a stable upward increase in the rate, tachycardia develops. If there is a prolonged slowdown of the pulse below 60 beats, then bradycardia appears. The irregular rhythm is called arrhythmia.

This can be dangerous for both mother and child, since the failure is often caused by diseases of the heart or other organs. Therefore, if this indicator changes and symptoms of pathology appear, you should consult a doctor to eliminate discomfort.

How lack of treatment can affect pregnancy

If the value is slightly greater than normal pulse, then usually a change in the indicator does not cause any complications. Tachycardia during pregnancy can only be a temporary phenomenon and disappears on its own after delivery.

However, with a significant increase in heart rate, the expectant mother sometimes loses consciousness, which is fraught with injury. Staying in this state for a long time is dangerous due to oxygen starvation, which can cause retarded growth and development of the fetus.

A constant extremely low pulse, in turn, can cause spontaneous cardiac arrest.

Features by trimester

During pregnancy, the normal heart rate is between 100-115 beats. But despite this, in certain weeks the indicators may increase or decrease slightly depending on the physiological processes occurring at this stage.

Normal in early pregnancy

From the very first days of conception, a woman’s body has to provide the fetus with everything it needs. He needs to work for two to provide oxygen and other nutrients in sufficient quantities to the unborn baby.

Therefore, a rapid pulse is considered a physiological norm.

In addition, toxicosis can increase the heart rate. At the same time, if discomfort is not felt and the woman feels comfortable early stages good even with increased or decreased values, then there is no cause for concern.

The rate of reductions in the first three months

In the first trimester, the level should not exceed 110 beats. If there is a slight increase at rest, this may indicate increased physical activity due to pregnancy. Which will also not be a pathology.

Along with this, blood pressure also changes, the elasticity of blood vessels decreases, which makes it possible to provide the placenta and the baby with the necessary substances without interruption. When the vessels are relaxed, blood pressure goes down, so the 1st trimester is marked by low blood pressure and a high pulse.

Normal from 13 to 25 weeks

During this period, most of the child’s vital organs are formed, the indicator gradually decreases, the pulse ranges from 85 to 90 beats.

But in the second trimester at week 25, the load on the cardiac system increases again, which entails an increase in the frequency of strokes.

By this moment, the cardiovascular system has completely completed its formation, and in order for the child to receive the necessary oxygen, blood circulation in the mother’s body increases again. Therefore, after week 25, the pulse should be about 120 beats per minute.

Indicators in the 3rd trimester

On last stage During pregnancy, the load on the heart is very large, as the child grows rapidly and the volume of circulating blood increases by 1.5 liters.

The pregnant woman's body, in addition to ensuring the blood supply to the unborn baby, sets aside a reserve in case of bleeding during childbirth.

A woman may experience increased heart rate, shortness of breath, and swelling. The norm in the third trimester reaches 120 beats per minute, and the average ranges from 110 to 135 beats. To prevent the development of complications, a woman is recommended to undergo regular examination by a gynecologist.

How to measure your pulse yourself

The doctor measures the pulse at every consultation, but sometimes situations arise when the necessary device is not at hand. In this case, self-monitoring can be done even at home.

It is enough to press the pulsating artery on the neck or wrist with your finger.

Having felt the blows, you need to time one minute and count the number of taps. It is very important to carry out the test at rest, some time after eating.

What does a high pulse mean?

An increased pulse is a rapid heartbeat. Typically, when a rhythm disturbance occurs, the patient complains of:

Instability of blood pressure. It can increase or decrease to extremely high or low numbers.
Shortness of breath, lack of air.
Discomfort in the area of the heart and sternum.
Cold, sticky sweat that appears along with a feeling of fear, and for no apparent reason.
Manifestation of a distinct rapid heartbeat.
Instability of cardiac function in the unborn child. The disorder can be seen on a CT scan. Fetal tachycardia and signs of oxygen starvation are diagnosed. An ultrasound can show disturbances in blood flow in the uteroplacental areas.

Main reasons for high values

In addition to physiological characteristics, an increase in heart rate can be caused by increased workload, excessive weight and growth of the fetus. In addition, there are a number of reasons that lead to pathological changes:

Lying on your back for a long time.
Avitaminosis.
COPD, pulmonary emphysema.
Tachycardia provoked by chronic pathologies of a woman.
Metabolic disorders or thyroid disease.
Availability bad habits.
Pathologies of the structure of the upper chamber of the heart, when any overexcitation can provoke an increase in heart rate.
Blood loss, circulatory system disease.
Taking medications that provoke the development of tachycardia.
Poor nutrition, in particular abuse of coffee, energy drinks, and strong tea.
Overeating, love of fatty and salty foods.
Stressful situations.
Anemia.
Electrolyte imbalance.
Heart pathologies, such as hypertension, ischemia, pericarditis, loss of arterial elasticity and heart disease.

How to reduce the rate

If the heart rate is constantly elevated, then it is necessary to identify the reasons for this. When no concomitant pathologies requiring immediate intervention are found, stabilization of the condition is recommended.

For this purpose they prescribe:

Performing breathing exercises.
Walks in the open air. Swimming or yoga, which helps normalize functionality nervous system and vascular tone.
Massage the carotid sinuses when attacks occur to quickly lower the pulse. To do this, you can easily rub the surface of the neck on the side in the area of the carotid artery; the procedure takes no more than 10-15 minutes.
Take plant-based sedatives, for example, from motherwort, valerian, lemon balm, mint, hawthorn.
Take vitamins to replenish all necessary substances, including potassium and magnesium.
Adjust your diet and daily routine, and lose weight if necessary.

When a high pulse and the onset of an attack are diagnosed, it is necessary to sit the woman down and give her water. After drinking 250 ml in small sips, she needs to lie down and relax. You can take several deep breaths.

Low heart rate

A low reading is quite rare and means a slower heart rate. When it is below 60 beats, the condition is called bradycardia. Most often, this situation is found in professional athletes.

A woman in this condition complains of nausea, dizziness and lightheadedness. When the reading is below 40 beats, cardiac arrest may occur due to a sharp decrease in pressure, so consultation with a cardiologist in this case is mandatory.

Possible causes of low heart rate

A decrease in this indicator in athletes is not a pathology, since they have a trained cardiovascular system. In other cases, the development of bradycardia can be observed with:

Diseases of the kidneys, liver.
Heart problems.
Pathologies of the thyroid gland.
Hypotension.
Damage to the central nervous system.
Lower blood pressure after taking medications.
Disadvantage nutrients and microelements, in particular calcium and potassium.
Pathologies of the circulatory and endocrine systems.

When to sound the alarm

If a woman notices a significantly slow or rapid pulse, she should consult a doctor.

In addition, you need to pay attention to the following symptoms:

The presence of constant nausea, regardless of the stage of pregnancy.
Increased fatigue, constant weakness and apathy towards everything.
Frequent dizziness to the point of fainting.
Breathing problems, shortness of breath.
Poor general health.

Since all these symptoms can develop into diseases of the cardiovascular system if ignored for a long time, it is necessary to consult a doctor in a timely manner to exclude such complications. If the examination does not show pathological changes, prescribe drugs that strengthen the heart, for example, Eufillin, atropine sulfate, magnesium, calcium, potassium.

A very high heart rate may be indicated by:

Nausea with gag reflex.
Dizziness with low blood pressure, sometimes loss of consciousness.
Headache with a rapid heartbeat, which may indicate hypotension.

Pulsation in the abdominal area with varying intensity, usually localized in the lower part.

Methods for normalizing an indicator

If a woman feels unwell, she should consult a doctor. But if she knows what her typical heart rate is, certain measures can be taken.

Eat right, remove strong tea and coffee from your diet, and avoid overeating.
Refuse elevated physical activity.
Take herbal-based sedatives.
Follow a daily routine, and you need to get enough rest day and night.

For bradycardia, in order to normalize the health of a pregnant woman, doctors recommend:

Walk more often and ventilate the room.
Eat healthy, avoiding weight gain and heavy meals.
Adjust your regime so that night and day rest occupy the required number of hours, and avoid overwork.
Train the cardiovascular system with special gymnastics for pregnant women.

Changes in heart rate during pregnancy are a physiological norm. But when the indicators reach borderline numbers and the woman feels a deterioration in her health, she urgently needs to consult a specialist.

You can increase or decrease your heart rate with minor deviations at home by normalizing your regimen, nutrition, physical activity and taking vitamin complexes.

Pulse is an indicator that tells how fast a person’s heart beats. This value is extremely important when diagnosing various diseases, and by its changes one can judge the state of the heart, blood vessels, and the whole organism as a whole. Heart rate norms in pregnant women are slightly different from the usual indicators of a healthy adult. It is worth considering which values are considered optimal and what various deviations from them may indicate during pregnancy.

Normally, in a healthy adult, the pulse is in the range of 60–90 beats per minute, temporarily accelerating during physical activity and serious emotional experiences. Women's rates are always slightly higher than men's. It's connected with physiological characteristics– the average woman’s heart is slightly smaller and beats faster. Also female body more susceptible to hormonal fluctuations.

In addition, heart rate usually changes with age. The older a person is, the higher the pulse, so some loads begin to be more difficult to bear. If a person’s pulse is constantly too high or too low and does not return to normal for a long time, we can talk about pathology.

It is also important to measure blood pressure along with your pulse. The upper and lower blood pressure parameters show how hard the heart pumps blood. This indicator is also important so that you can compile full picture state of the cardiovascular system and judge human health in general.

The absolutely ideal indicator is a value of 120 to 80. However, in reality, such pressure is quite rare, since in the life of any person there are always factors that will influence the level of blood pressure. Minor deviations, in which there are no signs of malaise, can be considered the norm.

Women's blood pressure readings should always be slightly lower than men's, but for the most part they usually depend on height and build. Each person may have their own individual normal indicator. If the pressure is greatly reduced or increased relative to the norm and symptoms of heart pathologies occur, you need to consult a doctor and find out the exact cause of this condition.

Blood pressure and pulse always change during pregnancy. Usually both indicators turn out to be overestimated relative to the norm - this happens for many reasons. Therefore, during pregnancy, women are advised to avoid factors that can lead to an even greater increase in blood pressure and pulse.

Important! Pregnant women with severe deviations from the norm during pregnancy are usually advised to see a cardiologist.

Heart rate in pregnant women?

In general, increased heart rate is more common in pregnant women, especially at the very beginning of pregnancy during the first and second trimesters. In the third trimester it usually decreases slightly and becomes closer to normal. For many, the heart rate can reach 80–90 beats per minute constantly, practically without decreasing, so such readings are considered normal. The heart rate during pregnancy can be predicted in advance and is affected by the following factors:

level physical training. If a woman was involved in sports before pregnancy on a regular basis, then there is a possibility that she will be able to bear the load of the fetus more easily;
age. In women after twenty-five years of age, the pulse during pregnancy is on average higher;
weight, as well as the presence of other diseases and pathologies that can affect heart rhythm and blood pressure.

Additional reasons for increased heart rate and blood pressure during pregnancy include the large mass of the fetus itself, various stresses, constant strong emotional experiences, poor nutrition, and the development of any pathologies.

The norm in the early stages is always slightly higher, but it is worth considering that strong deviations should not be ignored. If your heart rate exceeds one hundred, it is better to immediately consult your doctor.

Important! If the expectant mother experiences hypertension or tachycardia, it is also necessary to check the condition of the fetus and make sure that there are no intrauterine pathologies.

Blood pressure also usually increases during pregnancy and may be slightly higher than 120 to 80. Often, mild hypertension during pregnancy becomes normal, but it must disappear after the birth of the child. If hypertension or tachycardia does not disappear some time after childbirth, you must be examined by a cardiologist.

In general, normal indicators for a pregnant woman can be presented in the form of the following small table;

However, in any case, with a high pulse, it is also important to pay attention to the general condition of the woman. Temporary deviations from normal values can be considered an acceptable condition if there are no signs of illness. You should definitely consult a doctor if the following symptoms occur against the background of heart rhythm or blood pressure disturbances:

dizziness, headaches, impaired coordination of movements;
difficulty breathing, a feeling of heaviness in the chest, pain on the left side of the chest, inability to bear even light loads;
“stars”, “spots” before the eyes, visual impairment;
numbness in the limbs, pale skin.

These are the main symptoms of disorders of the cardiovascular system; during pregnancy they should be especially alarming. In order not to provoke their occurrence during pregnancy, you need to avoid any excessive physical exertion, mental and emotional exhaustion, severe stress and anxiety. All this can lead to hypertension or tachycardia.

To smooth out the symptoms of the usual increase in rhythm and pressure during pregnancy, it is important to adhere to correct mode day. A pregnant woman should get enough rest and eat right. Also, do not neglect special exercises for pregnant women, which help make pregnancy easier and prepare for childbirth.

If an attack of tachycardia or hypertension occurs suddenly, the condition rapidly worsens, then you should not resort to self-medication. It is better to consult a doctor as quickly as possible; in especially severe cases, it is permissible to call an ambulance.

Also, do not forget that it is important to measure the fetal pulse and pressure. The doctor should be visited regularly, depending on the course and severity of the pregnancy process. With competent constant monitoring of the condition of mother and child, the likelihood of carrying and giving birth completely healthy child much higher.

The health of a pregnant woman is the key to bringing a strong child into the world. An attentive and sensitive attitude to the slightest signs of developing pathologies will make it possible to intervene in time and influence the course of pregnancy. A pregnant woman’s heart is working with double load all this time, so it would be useful to regularly monitor its work. One of the most important characteristics of the rhythmic work of the heart muscle is the human pulse.

Heart rate is a variable value and is determined by the general condition of the human body. During the deep sleep stage it can be less than 50 beats per minute, and during physical exercise or severe emotional stress reaching more than 150 beats.
The normal pulse rate is between 60 and 80 beats per minute.
A pregnant woman should have her pulse measured during every doctor's examination. It’s good if she learns to do this on her own and can monitor her heart rate daily, especially if her health worsens.

Rules and methods for measuring heart rate

You can measure your pulse yourself at home. To do this you need:

calm down;
sit down or lie down;
average and index fingers place on the wrist in the area of the protruding vein;
Once you feel the pulsation, turn on the stopwatch for 1 minute and start counting.

In addition to measuring the pulse at the wrist, it can also be measured at the cervical artery, and can also be determined using an ECG or ultrasound of the heart.
The most detailed examination of the heart muscle can be obtained using Holter monitoring. This study is carried out using a special device called a holter, which is attached to the woman’s body. It records the work of the heart throughout the day. Such an examination will reproduce a complete picture of the heart’s functioning and will make it possible to make an accurate and correct diagnosis if problems with heart rhythm during pregnancy become the norm.
Modern tonometers, along with pressure indicators, also measure pulse and record arrhythmia of heart contractions.
You should not take your pulse after a large meal.

Factors affecting a pregnant woman's pulse

The pulse may increase during pregnancy if the following rules are not followed.

Don't overeat. Uncontrolled eating and, as a result, excess weight also threatens an increase in heart rate for a pregnant woman.
Do not overuse drinks containing caffeine. Lovers of strong coffee and tea more often complain of increased heart rate than adherents of light concentrations.
Take care of good nutrition. An increase in heart rate can signal a micronutrient deficiency, which can lead to hypotension and anemia during pregnancy.
Do not take medications and vitamin preparations uncontrollably. Your heart rate may be affected by medications you take. Even seemingly harmless nasal drops must be taken with caution.

High heart rate during pregnancy: reasons

The heartbeat of a pregnant mother and a woman who is not carrying a child under her heart is different. Literally from the first weeks after conception, this muscle reacts by increasing the frequency of beats to changes in the body, which leads to an increase in heart rate. The heart pumps blood more actively, ensuring normal development of the fetus.
The speed of muscle contraction of a pregnant woman’s heart is not very much, but it differs from the norm and is about 110 – 120 beats per minute. Such muscle work is considered a physiological norm, due to an increase in load. The heart muscle tries to provide the nascent life with nutrition and oxygen supplied to the fetus through the blood.
Cardiac activity is also influenced by the increasing level of pregnancy hormones, as well as the increasing threshold of a woman’s emotional sensitivity.
The body's reaction in the form early toxicosis also affects changes in heart rate. Usually, this manifestation goes away over time and is observed only in the first trimester of pregnancy, then the pulse returns to normal, but by 25–27 weeks, similar signs can be observed again in the expectant mother. By 32 weeks, however, the heart rate evens out again.
A woman’s pulse increases in position and in standard situations, like in all people, for example, when overworked.
The pulsation frequency directly depends on the volume of blood that the heart pumps through the circulatory system of the pregnant woman. The overwhelming majority of pregnant women usually feel a rapid heartbeat already in the early stages, and at the 4th, 5th and 6th month of pregnancy, almost every mother feels a rapid pulse, and sometimes shortness of breath. This is due to active growth and the development of the fetus, which requires more and more nutrients and oxygen. The heart rate reaches its peak at later, when mommy’s heart, and the whole body, works in an intense mode.
The normal heart rate during pregnancy can be approximately calculated by adding 10 to 20 units to the value before conception. If the pulse value varies within these limits, there is no reason for alarm.
Also, during pregnancy, the heart rate can reach up to 140 beats per minute if a woman lies on her back for a long time. This is caused by high pressure from the uterus on the abdominal aorta. In the later stages, when the weight of the fetus increases greatly, the artery is significantly constrained in area. The inferior vena cava appears to be compressed, and the body begins to feel an acute lack of oxygen.
Sometimes this condition, called inferior vena cava syndrome, can cause a woman to feel dizzy and even lose consciousness. The situation can be quickly normalized by changing position, for example, sitting down slowly or turning to one side. Then take several deep, calm breaths in and out. It is better for a pregnant woman to sleep on her side or in a reclining position.
If a high pulse during pregnancy is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, you should consult a cardiologist. Such symptoms may indicate the development of heart disease.
A significant excess of the permissible heart rate in a pregnant woman may also occur:

as a result of increased production of thyroid hormones;
if a woman gets sick with the flu or acute respiratory disease;
if an infectious process is actively developing in the body;
as a result of taking certain medications;
if the expectant mother suffered from hypertension or hypotension before pregnancy;
in women with heart disease;
under severe stress;
when drinking alcoholic beverages;
with smoking abuse.

High heart rate during pregnancy: consequences

If during pregnancy the number of pulsations is significantly higher than normal, you should immediately consult a specialist.
As a rule, women suffering from cardiac abnormalities during pregnancy are not recommended C-section. Sometimes, for medical reasons, a doctor can still prescribe it, and the birth is carried out under the strict supervision of a cardiologist.
If the increased heart rate is constant in the form of attacks, this may indicate tachycardia developing in a pregnant woman. With this disease, a person feels short of breath, dizziness, and fainting. Such circulatory disturbances may not in the best possible way affect the child's development. In mothers with tachycardia, the fetus experiences oxygen starvation, which leads to growth retardation. Children are born premature, with low weight, and sometimes with signs of hypoxia. The diagnosis of fetal hypoxia may be delayed intrauterine development, pathologies of the nervous system, and in the early stages – the occurrence of disturbances in the development of the child’s brain.

How to normalize your heart rate

With small changes in heart rate, the pulse will return to normal if you just lie quietly for a while. Minor deviations from the norm usually do not cause the pregnant woman to feel unwell, so there is no danger.
Sharp jumps cause anxiety. If the mother’s pulsation frequency reaches 140 beats per minute, the fetus is not in danger and its heart is functioning normally. If a woman feels general weakness, attacks of dizziness, nausea, lack of air, a feeling of heat and heart fluttering, it is likely that she may lose consciousness.
Sometimes pregnant mothers feel the blood pulsating in their stomach. Physical sensations clearly arise in the lower abdomen, where the blood flows through the aorta. This can happen regardless of the time when the baby hiccups. If the woman does not feel spasmodic pain and discomfort, there is no reason to worry.
Otherwise, such sensations may indicate violations normal course pregnancy. In this case, consultation with a specialist is necessary to determine the degree of threat and prescribe the correct treatment plan. In mild cases, the doctor is limited to prescribing vitamins and medications with a high content of potassium and magnesium.
Neuroses often cause surges in blood pressure and increased heart rate. Hormonal changes also affect the nervous system, so pregnant women are overly irritable. As a result, they have poor control over their emotions, are whiny and touchy. Against the backdrop of such an uncontrolled process, expectant mother Neurosis may develop, which can negatively affect the health of the unborn child. In this case, the attending physician prescribes mild sedatives that are not contraindicated during pregnancy. If you do not want to take alcohol tinctures, you can brew herbal infusions of valerian, mint, motherwort or lemon balm.
Also, a rapid pulse that occurs when a pregnant woman is at rest should cause alarm. A slight excess of the normal heart rate can be normalized using the following actions:

drink a glass of water in small sips;
lie down quietly;
take a slow deep breath and exhale;
increase the number and duration of walks in the fresh air;
optimize nutrition and control its volume;
alternate rest and work, avoid physical overload;
Observe a mandatory 8 hours of sleep.

If you cannot reduce your heart rate, you need to consult a specialist, conduct a thorough examination and find the cause of the disease. If a disease is detected, the doctor will prescribe adequate treatment, effective, and, most importantly, therapy that is safe for the child. Self-medication is dangerous and risky. Strictly follow all recommendations of your doctor.

Slow heart rate in pregnant women

Much less common in expectant mothers is a rare pulse called bradycardia. This is the opposite reaction when the state of pregnancy leads to a rare pulse. This usually happens in female athletes who were professionally involved in sports before pregnancy and who have a trained heart that is accustomed to high power loads.
Bradycardia can also be triggered by chronic diseases, for example, dysfunction of the thyroid gland, kidney diseases, diseases of the circulatory system and a weakened nervous system.
With bradycardia, a woman suffers from nausea, a feeling of weakness in the body, attacks of dizziness, and even a stuffy room can make her faint.
If the heart rate drops below 40 beats per minute, complete cardiac arrest may occur, since the state of bradycardia is accompanied by a strong drop in blood pressure.
For unexpressed signs of bradycardia, the same measures are recommended to normalize the pulse as for tachycardia:

must be observed healthy image life;
moderate loads are allowed;
daily exercise is recommended;
A healthy, balanced diet is important;
frequent walking, leisurely walks.

If bradycardia is severe, a cardiologist is in charge of treating the pregnant woman.
Special medications or, in special cases, surgery to install a pacemaker will help get rid of the disease.

Arrhythmia during pregnancy

There is another type of deviation from the normal state of heart contractions - arrhythmia. With this disease, the heart rhythm has irregular intervals. This is very dangerous and can lead to cardiac arrest.
If the pulse rhythm is irregular, you should immediately contact a cardiologist, as this may indicate the development of the disease.

The human heart, the pump in our chest, works from the moment a person is born until death without stopping. It works, giving us the opportunity to live and work. Heart problems have severe consequences for human health, and deviations of the pulse from the normal rhythm indicate possible illnesses. A woman carrying a child under her heart must very carefully monitor her pulse, listen to its changes, internal sensations and not hope that the ailment will go away on its own. Quality of life indicators depend on how your heart and your baby’s heart work.

During pregnancy, it is very important to monitor various health indicators. This approach is necessary so that deviations can be noticed in time. In this case, it will be possible to make the necessary adjustments at the right time. One of the most important indicators is the pulse of a pregnant woman. Next, we’ll talk in more detail about why it needs to be monitored and what the standard indicator is.

Pulse Features

In medicine, many types of pulse can be distinguished. Experts also highlight its various characteristics. In most cases, when people talk about pulse, they mean heart rate. During the period of bearing a child, a woman’s cardiovascular system also has its own operating characteristics. The pulse rate in women in an interesting position may differ significantly from the pulse rate that is acceptable for adults and adolescents. It must be said right away that the difference is insignificant. In addition, the expectant mother should feel good about it.

Pulse rate

Experts say that the pulse is an unstable value. Therefore, it can change quickly depending on the impact of certain factors on the body. For example, an increase in heart rate can provoke:

emotional shock;
physical exercise;
poor nutrition;
deficiency of various nutrients;
lying on your back for a long time;
hormonal changes.

For humans, the normal heart rate is from 60 to 90 beats per minute. However, this rule has some exceptions during pregnancy. Significant changes begin to occur in a woman’s body already in the first week after conception. Serious hormonal changes have a particular impact on a woman’s pulse. Therefore, against the background of early toxicosis, an acceleration of heart contractions may occur. A temporary increase in heart rate in this condition is normal. As a rule, by the second trimester of pregnancy the indicator begins to level off. However, at 25-27 weeks the pulse may begin to increase again.

The unstable emotional state of a pregnant woman contributes to an increase in heart rate. There are often cases when the expectant mother becomes nervous and it becomes much more difficult to breathe, and she feels dizzy. In addition, you should not be surprised at an increase in heart rate after eating and walking. During pregnancy, a rapid heart rate may remain normal until at least 32 weeks. By the end of the period, the heart rate may return to normal. Of course, if a pregnant woman gains excess weight, carries heavy bags, returns from the supermarket or has been drinking, an increase in heart rate will be absolutely natural.

If the pulse accelerates when the woman is at rest, you need to look for a more serious reason. Often it is neurological in nature. Therefore, it is important to avoid exciting moments and learn to react calmly to various life situations. A mother’s high pulse does not in any way affect the functioning of the fetus’s heart. However, the emotional state of a woman can negatively affect the health of the child.

A slight increase in heart rate during pregnancy can be considered normal. It will not harm either mother or baby. The exception is a sharp increase in heart rate. If you compare the frequency of strokes before and after conception, the second indicator should be higher by 10, maximum - 20 units. In other words, normally it should not exceed 110-120 beats per minute. It is important to take your well-being into account. A woman should not experience any discomfort or discomfort.

How to downgrade

If a pregnant woman has a high pulse, the doctor will conduct an examination. If any violations are detected, he will recommend effective and at the same time safe therapy to his patient. Thus, the pulse will be reduced, and the reason for its increase will be eliminated. Self-medication in this case is extremely undesirable. Taking medications on the advice of friends or colleagues is also not recommended. The most correct solution is the doctor's room.

drink water in small sips;
lie down and relax;
slowly, deeply inhale and exhale;
go for walks more often;
eat foods that are rich in potassium and magnesium;
try not to overeat;
do not overwork;
get a good night's sleep.

The main influence on the pulse rate is the total volume of blood that circulates in the circulatory system of a pregnant woman. It is worth noting that the main changes that affect heart rate occur at the very beginning of pregnancy. This is especially true for the first manifestations of toxicosis or the first half of pregnancy.

Slow heart rate

As for the rare pulse, it is observed in few women. Those who may have a slow heart rate healthy mothers who have a trained heart and played sports before pregnancy. However, this condition can also be caused by pathologies (kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid disease, disorders of the regulatory functions of the nervous system, heart pathologies). If you notice a slow pulse, it is also recommended that you have a thorough examination with your doctor.

Children whose mother had a low heart rate (below normal) during pregnancy are, in most cases, born with a lower body weight. Babies may also show signs of hypoxia. If the symptoms are not expressed, it is enough to normalize your lifestyle:

start eating right;
have sufficient activity;
set aside a certain time for rest;
drink green or black tea;
spend more time in the fresh air.

In the event that a rare pulse is dangerous for the woman and fetus, the patient will be treated by a cardiologist. He will also appoint special drugs, which are completely harmless to the body of the expectant mother. The pulse of pregnant women is measured at every examination by a gynecologist or therapist. It is advisable that pregnant women independently monitor this indicator every day.

Pregnancy is a natural state for women, but they all perceive and tolerate it differently. In many ways, the condition of a pregnant woman depends on the physical form and athletic condition of her body, as well as on its health.

As the fetus grows, the load on the female body increases, and various negative symptoms, including increasing frequency. This is especially noticeable in the last trimester of pregnancy, when the fetus reaches maximum size. At this time, it is important to distinguish an increase in heart rate within the physiological norm for this period from pathological manifestations. They can harm a woman and developing pregnancy, That's why expectant mother should know what to do in such a situation.

As in the normal state and in the first two trimesters, in the third trimester of pregnancy the normal heart rate should be between 70 and 100 beats per minute. In this case, the indicator of 100 blows is considered the upper limit of the norm, acceptable in the case of light physical activity.

Heart rate indicators depend on various reasons. They can be physiological, caused by normal changes in the body, or pathological, dangerous for the body and requiring consultation with a doctor.

A high pulse during pregnancy in the third trimester can be triggered by elementary excitement. A woman worries, and often even fears, future childbirth, which provokes the release of the stress hormone cortisol into the blood. And it, in turn, leads to vasodilation and increased heart rate, increasing the load on the heart.

Physical activity can also cause an increase in heart rate, especially in large or multiple pregnancies.

The same thing happens if a woman gains too much weight - it negatively affects the functioning of the cardiovascular system, which is already under serious strain as the fetus grows.

A slight increase in heart rate may occur due to the frequent position on the back, which a pregnant woman is forced to take in the last months of pregnancy due to an overly large belly. The same condition is experienced by women lying in the maternity hospital “for safekeeping”. In this case, a frequency of 120 beats per minute can be considered a normal option.

Exceeding the normal heart rate at rest indicates the possibility of various disorders in the body and serious diseases. This may indicate impaired kidney function, growth, thyroid dysfunction, gestational diabetes and many other problems. Some of them can be very dangerous and serious, so a pregnant woman needs to be especially attentive to herself and monitor her health. If you have a persistently high pulse rate, you must undergo an examination to exclude pathological causes such a condition in the pregnant woman and begin treatment.

Is a high heart rate dangerous for the fetus?

If a pregnant woman experiences an increase in heart rate combined with an increase in blood pressure, headaches, insomnia, weakness, loss of consciousness, disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract, or problems with the veins, she needs to urgently seek medical help.

Only in a hospital setting can doctors decide on the need to use one or another treatment to eliminate the cause of a high pulse.

A high pulse during pregnancy in the third trimester may indicate a deficiency of minerals and vitamins in the pregnant woman's diet. To prevent this from affecting the fetus, doctors recommend starting to take special vitamins enriched with essential substances even at the pregnancy planning stage.

A high pulse in the third trimester may indicate the development of gestosis, a serious complication also called “late toxicosis.” It is divided into four stages, with:

The first stage is manifested by edema.
The second is nephropathy.
The third is preeclampsia, accompanied by increased blood pressure, headaches, increased heart rate, irritability and digestive disorders, pain.
The last stage - eclampsia - is an extremely dangerous condition for the mother and fetus. It leads to fetal hypoxia, causes placental abruption, bleeding, premature birth and even the death of a child.

For a woman, this condition is fraught with the development of dangerous consequences - renal failure, heart failure, pulmonary edema, stroke or heart attack.

Necessary examinations

If unpleasant symptoms appear and you go to the hospital, the doctor prescribes the following examinations:

Blood pressure measurement.
Ultrasound of the fetus.
Heart rate monitoring.
Ultrasound of the thyroid gland.
Blood analysis.
Analysis of urine.

These examinations and tests may be modified or supplemented by the doctor depending on the symptoms the pregnant woman has. They must identify the cause of this condition and confirm or exclude the doctor’s suspicions of the presence of a dangerous disease.

Actions to normalize heart rate

A high pulse during pregnancy in the third trimester requires drug correction only if it is associated with the presence of a dangerous pathology that threatens the pregnant woman and the fetus. In any situation, self-medication is strictly prohibited, as it can lead to even more risky consequences.

In most cases, to normalize a pregnant woman’s heart rate, it is enough to change her daily routine and reduce physical and psychological stress. It is very important to get a good night's sleep, so you need to improve your sleep, make it deep, calm and complete.

The nutrition of a pregnant woman also plays an important role. If her heart rate is high, she will have to reconsider her diet, eliminating coffee, strong tea, drinks containing caffeine and other stimulants that can lead to an increase in heart rate. It’s a good idea to reconsider the volume and quality of food eaten, especially if a pregnant woman is gaining weight too rapidly.

To prevent the body of a woman and child from suffering from a lack of nutrients, it is worth removing excess sweets, flour and fatty foods from the diet, and instead increasing the proportion of vegetables, fruits, berries and fish.

Medicines that lower the pulse can only be used with the permission of a doctor.The maximum that you can allow yourself at home is mild sedatives - mint tea, a weak decoction of valerian (cannot be taken too often or in large quantities), with high blood pressure- motherwort tincture. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the fact that herbal preparations themselves can become a source of an allergic reaction.

More information about tachycardia can be found in the video:

In order to avoid negative manifestations during pregnancy, especially in the last trimester, a pregnant woman needs to follow simple recommendations:

Give up any bad habits, especially alcohol and tobacco.
Monitor the water regime - both a lack of water and its excess can have a negative impact.
Stay outdoors more. If there is no medical need to lie down, you need to walk and move more.
Proper nutrition does not mean “eating for two,” but intelligently organizing your daily menu. If you can’t do it yourself, contact a specialist. Excess weight during pregnancy can not only lead to increased heart rate, but also cause diabetes and other endocrine problems not only in the pregnant woman, but also in the fetus.

If persistent pulse disturbances with other unfavorable symptoms appear, you should urgently seek help. Only quick intervention can prevent the development of the most dangerous consequences and preserve the pregnancy.

A woman does not need to panic or be overly nervous. Pregnancy – great time, and the health and well-being of the unborn child now largely depends on a woman’s behavior.