Thread: Heart palpitations

Hi ladies
I cant wait for these annoying things to stop! I started having palpitations around lunch today. Now I used to get them TONS as a teenager, especially if I had tons of caffeine. I still get them occasionally, ofetn increased with caffeine/stress, etc. But they have been very minimal this entire pregnancy.

Last night I drank a ton of coke cause I was craving, then had a tea this am, and a bunch of chocolate covered almonds, all which have caffeine, but like I said, these didnt start until lunch. They are not back to back, but as soon as every 10 beats, or several minutes apart. I am not short of breath, or having chest pain or anything. Checked my pressure and it's fine.

I tried to call my OBs office but they are away til Monday of course. I dont want to call triage because they always just say to go in.

So they are still happening as of right now, they wax and wane but never go away. I have to go for an NST tomorrow at 2pm anyways......do you think it's ok to wait until then? Like I said ive had these before and they feel the same as i used to get.

Or would you go in if they continued for x amount of hours more? Baby is moving tons, nothing else seems off.

ERG!!! I just want normal!

My feeling is that it's probably okay, but I would hate to tell you not to worry and have it turn out to be something serious. Since you have a history, though... if it was me, I'd probably wait it out unless I started having some other symptoms. (I do get them too sometimes, FWIW)

What Causes Heart Palpitations During Pregnancy? | LIVESTRONG.COM

Does your OB not have an answering service that you can get one of the docs to call you back, that way you can actually talk to one on the phone? That's what I would do 1st, just to see how long they think something like that can go on w/o worrying about it.

I don't think that I would worry too much at this point. You've had them before, and considering the amount of caffeine you have had over the course of the last 24 hrs, that may definitely be the cause. I would lay off the caffeine for a while, drink lots of water, and as long as baby is still moving around well and you are NOT short of breath or in pain, I would wait until your appt tomorrow then mention it.

I hope that helps. I have no medical background whatsoever!

Unfortunately there is no answering service, just go into triage. Crappy. I can call them but they pretty much never give advice over the phone and want you to go in. And then you're there for hours!!!

I've tried doing some research online and there was a few mentions of it being caused by dehydration as well as if the baby shifts up and is actually putting a bit of pressure on the heart, which the baby does feel high so maybe it's just that. They actually feel worst sitting/lying and best standing up, so that sort of makes sense no?

I actually feel the best if i exert myself....almost like my heart is just going to slow, or has "extra energy?" I know that makes no sense. I think maybe also could be a side effect of the labetalol?

Thanks for the response though!

Well that makes sense, caffeine can cause you to dehydrate, and definitely possible it's position related w/ baby.

I wouldn't go into triage at this point. But that's just me, I never go in unless I think it's absolutely necessary, pg or not.

I was just going to ask if you could be dehydrated. I was told when pregnant that you should drink ounce per ounce extra water for every ounce of soda to prevent dehydration! That's a ton of wate! And it's on top o the water you are already supposed to be drinking!

do you think it could be related to your medication? I only ask because I had crazy palpitations for a whole day once I stopped it. I know that it can be normal in pregnancy due to all the extra blood going around. Sorry I don't really have an answer, but I know they can be scary!

I might be able to answer the med question... What are you taking?

Sounds scary, but I agree with the others - could definitely be due to the caffeine, and/or dehydration

I'm taking labetalol, 100mg twice a day....but I figured it out! Definitely the babys position!

I noticed that it decreased or left when I was up. Thought maybe i just didnt noticed, so just stood there. Barely anything. So I got down on all fours to see if baby would shift....havent had one since! Guess baby was pushing on my heart! YAY!!! So relieving to have it gone!!!

Thanks for all your help ladies!!! I would have felt stupid at triage for something I could fix so easily!