Hello everyone. Last night when I was lying in bed, I could feel my heart beating very hard and quickly. I was even out of breath a little because it was as if I was doing something physical but I was just lying there. I am only 12 weeks pregnant. Has anyone else had this? ↓
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Name: HSB | Date: Apr 13th, 2005 2:08 PM
I have been experiencing the same thing without the shortness of breath. It makes me feel very uneasy and weird. I would love to know if this is normal or not. It only happens in the evening when I am lying down. Keep me posted if you hear anything. ↑
Name: MICHELLE | Date: Apr 13th, 2005 5:01 PM
I AM 32 WEEKS AND THE SAME THING HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO ME EVERY SINCE I WAS TWELVE WEEKS. MY OB TOLD ME IT WAS JUST FROM MY HORMONES AND NOT TO WORRY UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY CHEST PAIN 0R BLACKOUTS. ↑
Name: annie | Date: Apr 15th, 2005 4:19 PM
I seem to have a very rapid heartbeat alot of the time too, I'm 23 weeks. I've been told its the body working harder and getting more blood to the baby ↑
Name: Liz | Date: Apr 21st, 2005 1:35 PM
What a relief to hear that other people have had this before too! It just started for me in the past 12 hours and it was freaking me out. I called my midwife an hour or two ago but have not heard back from her yet. So glad I did a search and found your answers. Still going to talk to her but now I feel so much less anxious. ↑
Name: Anita | Date: May 10th, 2005 1:58 PM
I can definitely relate. I am 17 weeks and last night I was sitting on the couch and I felt weird. I told my husband that I was going to take my blood pressure. I monitor my blood pressure because I take blood pressure medicine. It turns out that my blood pressure was really low but my pulse was way too high. My pulse was 105. I decided at that point to lay myself down and rest my body. It took a little while but it finally went down. I just assumed that since my body is producing more blood volume so maybe this was the reason. I just turned 42 and am pregnant (for the first time) with twins. ↑
Name: Christee | Date: May 12th, 2005 10:44 PM
Ok, I feel a bit better now. I am 29weeks and have the rapid heartbeat for the last week. I too automatically checked my BP, and it was Ok. Dr. told me the same thing, dont worry unless its associated with chest pain, hard breathing, uncontrollable sweats, etc. ↑
Name: Tara | Date: May 19th, 2005 2:50 PM
I get it in the morning hours, almost as if my body need to kick it up a bit to get going. I am 17 weeks now and also get heart palpitations, does anyone else suffer from these? Kinda scary but my doctor says its really normal especially because its my second child. ↑
Name: magnely | Date: May 21st, 2005 1:45 PM
Hi, I understand, I,m 20 weeks pregnant. I been with this symptoms seens I was about 10 weeks. I been admited to the hospital twice, faint ones at work. I'm seeing a specialist but no answer yet. ↑
Name: Kate | Date: Jun 3rd, 2005 4:49 AM
I've been getting this too - at first they were easy to stop by lying on my left side and breathing deeply. The other day in work I had it for about 5 minutes though and had to go outside in the fresh air to get rid of it. Just had it again so came online - glad to see other people have experienced it too. I am 36 wks with my 2nd baby - seeing my m/w on monday so I will mention it to her. It makes me feel very dizzy like I would faint if I didn't get to lie down. It is really scary. I expect they will say it is just hormones - I got palpitations with my first pregnancy but nothing like this! ↑
Name: Courtney | Date: Jun 13th, 2005 10:26 AM
I have been experiencing the same fast heart beats , hard time breathing,dizziness.If I get up fast it will start andat night just laying it will start. If really do scare me at time. This is my first baby and i want to know if it will effect my baby. I am 32 weeks. Called My Doctor but no reply yet. I'm so glad I found this site this morning .God Blessed you all. and "CONGRATULATION" ↑
Name: Staci | Date: Jun 13th, 2005 9:01 PM
I have it too, and its very uncomfortable. I have heard its from the increased blood and fluids in your body, and your heart has to work harder. it really is uncomfortable, I can relate. It feels like you ran a marathon, right? two nights ago I got winded just shaving my legs! that wasnt fun... ↑
Name: P.s. to Tara | Date: Jun 13th, 2005 9:04 PM
I have been getting palpitations too. I have had them on and off my whole life, but it has been somewhat noticable lately. the pregnancy books I have say its common during pregnancy to have a fast pulse, palpitations, etc. but still, they worry me too. either way, I am with you and have the same thing.
-Staci ↑
Name: Jessica F. | Date: Jun 14th, 2005 12:39 PM
I am an old pro when it comes to rapid heart rates. I have a medical condition that i've had for 7 years now and this is one of the symptoms. What i have is rare and they say pregnancy usually makes the symptoms better. but yes I've experienced this while pregnant too. It helps to lie down or rest in a comfy position. If you are wearing any tight clothing I wouldn't suggest doing this anymore. Also you should probably talk to your dr about it. They like to monitor this type of thing but usually it isn't anything to worry about. Good luck ↑
Name: Rue | Date: Jun 15th, 2005 10:12 AM
Anyone get this racing heart after eating? I typically have been getting it after eating- especially in the morning. Today I had a cup of tea and a raspberry muffin. I sat down, heart started racing. My pulse measured 120 bpm. Should I be concerned? ↑
Name: Christine | Date: Jun 15th, 2005 7:25 PM
i am only 5-6 weeks pregnant, with either twins or triplets,,,,,i find out next week, but the past 3 days I have been feeling almost like I was working out, fast heart beat, breathlessness, almost like an anxiety and tightening in my chest. I was nervous, called the doctor today, and she told me all that you have said, plus, that maybe allergies, or ashma could be being triggered. Good luck to all of you, and Thanks for being here!!! ↑
Name: Staci | Date: Jun 16th, 2005 8:22 PM
Rue- yes, I also get it much more often after eating. I get wheezing sometimes too, and winded very easily. ↑
Name: CSB | Date: Jun 17th, 2005 6:11 PM
I am 33 weeks and I have been experiencing the same thing I went to a heart Dr. and he too said that it is something pregnant women go through and not to worry unless it contuine after your labor but here is some methods he gave me to stop them when they do occur merge your face into ice cold water if near, keep cold rag with you at all times, and take in a slow half breath and bare down as if you are in labor I hope that this can help you and you have a great pregnancy ↑
Name: J.Cross | Date: Jun 20th, 2005 3:35 AM
You may need to be tested for hyperthyroidism. It causes rapid heart beating and left untreated leads to Grave's Disease. I know, I have it. ↑
Name: Jen | Date: Jun 21st, 2005 4:53 PM
I'm so glad to have found all of your responses. I'm 19 weeks and can actually hear my heart beating to the point I can't rest at night. I also feel my pulse throbbing throughout my whole body when I'm lying on my left side. Anyone else have this going on? ↑
Name: Lauren | Date: Jun 22nd, 2005 4:11 PM
I am so glad to hear this is common. I have been hearing my heartbeat in my ears really loud when I try to sleep and can see some arteries pulsing on my skin. It scares me sometimes and I get dizzy/lightheaded and feel like I'm having a hot flash or something. I am 29 weeks and told my doctor last month at my visit he said it was fine but it has gotten worse since then with my vision getting little silver sparkles in the peripherals. I dunno if I should panic but I figure I'll pass out or something if I really need to go to emergency room and even though I have had tightness in my chest I think all of it is really a greater effect of stress on the pregnant body since it's usually when I try to go to bed worryed or at work when I get anxious. Thanks for sharing everybody takes weight off my chest hehe=) ↑
Name: Kathleen | Date: Jun 27th, 2005 6:16 AM
I never knew how many women would have the same fast heart racing like me when I lie down at night. I haven't really mentioned it to my doctor yet, but the other day at my appointment, he sent me to the hospital for some labwork. Apparently I have hypertension in my pregnancy, which basically just means that I have high blood pressure. I am guessing that this is the reason why my heart beats so fast, and I get warm at night, and it's hard to breath when I lie down sometimes. I am supposed to go back today for results, so I guess I will let him know about it today. ↑
Name: Abby | Date: Jul 6th, 2005 12:40 PM
Thank you. I'm not the only one. This is my second pregnancy (at 23 weeks) and I have had the feeling that my heart is racing for several weeks now. It is not limited to when I lay down. It is preventing me from sleeping at night and my OB has prescribed Ambian (sp) which helps me get to sleep. I did not have these symptoms with my first child. My OB also indicated that it might be from increased blood flow but advised me to see my family practitioner. I have not yet done so. I'm glad to have found your responses. ↑
Name: Rachael | Date: Jul 9th, 2005 12:43 PM
It is comforting to know that I am not the only one, not that I want anyone to suffer. I have always had irregular heartbeats, and am 35 weeks pregnant, but just in the last 6-8 weeks, i have had the rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, especially while at work or while lying down. It is a scary feeling since it is sometimes accompanied by a feeling of tightness or weakness in both arms and shoulders. My blood pressure is never high and I recently had my doctor look into it. I had an ekg done, which was fine, wore a holter monitor for 24 hours that turned out fine, and bloodwork that turned out fine, so I have accepted it as one more of those little things I have to get through to be able to have my son in a few weeks. Not a moment too soon! ↑
Name: Jaslyn | Date: Jul 12th, 2005 11:24 AM
I am not alone. I am 9 weeks pregnant, I checked my pulse this morning and it was 116. My blood pressure appears normal 118/81. I also feel my heart pounding and both my parents have high blood pressure. I will check with my doc, just to be on the safe side. ↑
Name: Christine | Date: Jul 12th, 2005 7:25 PM
I actually spoke with my doctor about it again, and as well i looked it up in a book on pregnancy, and it said because there is so much additional blood in your system to compensate for the baby, to protest the baby, that it causes your heartbeat to sometimes quicken. Nothing to worry about! Just like pregnancy slows down your digestive system, it speeds up your blood flow!
i am so glad that i found others who have the same trouble! i was starting to get really concerned. i get shaky and weak in the evening, almost faint, then whenever i try to sleep at night, the shakes get worse and i can feel my heart thudding and i get hot flashes and it feels like i took too much sudafed, almost like my body is buzzing. i got some tests done at the doc and it's not realted to high thyroid or blood sugar for me. he thinks maybe my mitral valve prolapse is getting aggrevated. what scares me is that it seems like this could last for awhile, how an i going to cope? well thanks everyone for sharing. ↑
Name: S. for Sarah | Date: Jul 16th, 2005 10:15 AM
Sarah- I have mild Mitral valve prolapse also.. how do you think it will effect the delivery? ↑
Name: Tricia | Date: Jul 25th, 2005 12:50 AM
I too have been experiencing rapid heartbeat and heart palpitations. I notice the rapid heartbeat alot after I eat, which is really weird. I am so glad to hear I'm not alone. This is my third pregnancy and I am 21 weeks. ↑
Name: Allison | Date: Jul 26th, 2005 11:29 PM
Yes, I am having those problems right now, in fact. I have been told that it may mean you need to drink more water and lie down. However, it is not helpful to do this late at night. You end up virtually sleeping in the bathroom! But, does anyone have any suggestions as to what can be done to help this late at night? ↑
Name: Hazel | Date: Jul 29th, 2005 4:44 PM
A big thank you to everyone on this site. I've been in tears with worry over my increased heart rate (I'm 12 weeks pregnant) and now I feel SO much better knowing it's nothing serious!. xx ↑