What pulse during pregnancy is considered normal

When a woman bears a child, her body has a very large load, so it is not surprising that many people have health problems during this period. In most pregnant women, the pulse changes at this time: some suffer from an increased pulse rate, while others suffer from a decreased one. In some cases, such deviations from the norm are a completely natural consequence of pregnancy, which is not a symptom of a serious pathology and does not cause any special complications. However, often a change in the pulse indicates the presence of some kind of disease that can harm not only the woman, but also the child she is carrying.

Increased heart rate during pregnancy

The pulse rate reflects the number of heartbeats a person has. The normal pulse during pregnancy averages 120 beats per minute. Of course, this value is very conditional, because speaking about what pulse a pregnant woman should have, it is worth considering the individual characteristics of a woman.

However, evaluating the table of general indicators during pregnancy, it is the indicator of 120 beats every minute that is considered the statistical norm. If the pulse exceeds this figure, then this phenomenon is called tachycardia, and if the heartbeat is less than one beat per second - bradycardia.

In addition to tachycardia and bradycardia, there is also an irregular number of heartbeats. This phenomenon is called arrhythmia, it rarely appears for no reason. In this regard, when an arrhythmia occurs, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

In the normal state, a woman's heartbeat does not exceed 90 beats per minute, but during pregnancy this figure increases markedly. This is due to the fact that the growth of the fetus and the increase in the amount of circulating blood overloads the heart, it begins to work more intensively.

If in the first weeks after the conception of a child, the work of the cardiovascular system does not deviate from the norm, then with the development of the fetus, the body begins to function differently. And also hormonal changes, stress and individual characteristics of a pregnant woman affect the increase in heart rate.

Sometimes the heartbeat of a pregnant woman increases to 140 beats per minute if she lies on her back. This is due to the fact that the fetus strongly presses on the abdominal aorta, the amount of blood returned to the heart decreases, as a result of which the heartbeat accelerates.

With an increase in the fetus, tachycardia only worsens, therefore, in the last stages, the pulse rate can be greatly increased, and a lack of blood will lead to a lack of oxygen, which causes asthma attacks, dizziness and fainting in a pregnant woman.

• excessive production of thyroid hormones;
• infectious diseases;
• taking certain medications;
• pressure problems or heart disease;
• abuse of coffee or tea;
• emotional stress;
• abuse of tobacco or alcohol.

With tachycardia, a pregnant woman experiences weakness, nausea, suffocation, she has a fever, dizziness, and at times her heart begins to "jump out of her chest."

How to adjust the heart rate with tachycardia

If the tachycardia in a pregnant woman is caused by lying on her back, then to normalize her well-being, it is enough to carefully and slowly take a sitting position or lie on her side, and then take a deep breath several times. It is very important to get up slowly with such a problem, otherwise the woman may lose consciousness.

1. Set up a daily routine. Sleep during the normal daily routine is at least 8 hours, and loads necessarily alternate with rest.
2. Healthy food. The doctor should give the patient some advice about the diet. However, in addition to including certain foods in the diet and excluding other ingredients from it, a pregnant woman should ensure that she does not overeat, and meals should be small, but frequent. In this position, it is recommended to eat at least every 4 hours.
3. Eliminate drinks such as coffee and tea from the diet. Since they stimulate the heart, the pulse accelerates. It is better to replace coffee and tea with compotes or a chicory drink.
4. Reduce stress on the body.
5. It is acceptable to use herbal medicines that will calm the cardiovascular system. However, the intake of any medications must be agreed with the doctor who has a pregnant woman. Self-medication in this position can harm not only the woman, but also the child.

In most cases, an increase in heart rate will not cause serious problems (unless it happens on an ongoing basis). However, if the pulse rate exceeds 140 beats per minute, then there is a risk of loss of consciousness, which can lead to injury during a fall.

Such a condition will also not affect a woman too well, since the blood flow in the tissues is disturbed, but this will not cause any particularly serious conditions.

If tachycardia is caused by pathologies of the body, then treatment or at least consultation with highly specialized doctors is necessary. Thus, in case of heart disease, it is better to contact a cardiologist, and in case of problems with the endocrine system, it is recommended to go to an endocrinologist.

Decreased heart rate during pregnancy

Bradycardia (reduced heart rate) in pregnant women is quite rare, but such cases do happen. In most cases, bradycardia during pregnancy occurs if the woman was a professional athlete and her heart is in excellent condition.

• thyroid diseases;
• pathology of the liver or kidney system;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• problems with the functioning of the central nervous system (central nervous system).

Since the causes of bradycardia are very serious, noticing such a manifestation (especially during physical activity), a woman needs to go to the doctor, who will prescribe the necessary diagnostic measures.

How to normalize the pulse with bradycardia

If a low heart rate is caused by a disease that is not too dangerous, then it is enough to change your lifestyle to solve this problem.

To do this, doctors recommend the following actions.

1. Balance the load with proper rest.
2. Balance nutrition.
3. Physical activity during pregnancy should not be too heavy. It is advisable to constantly do morning exercises.
4. It is allowed to drink green and black tea, but these drinks should not be too strong.
5. Frequent walks are recommended. It is better to be with someone else in the fresh air, because a good company will only brighten up the pastime, and it is better to choose a slow pace for festivities.

In cases where the pulse drops below 40 beats every minute, not only the child, but also the woman herself is in danger. A woman risks not only losing consciousness, even cardiac arrest is possible. Due to bradycardia, children are often born with anoxia and underweight.

With serious diseases that cause bradycardia, a woman is observed by a cardiologist. He prescribes medication that will help speed up the pulse to a normal rate or the installation of a pacemaker.

Diagnosis of pulse disorders during childbearing

Each appointment with a doctor who observes a pregnant woman is necessarily accompanied by a pulse measurement. However, it is important to carry out such a procedure at home, trying to keep the heart rate under control.

1. Place your finger on an artery in your neck or wrist to feel the pulse.
2. The counting lasts for a minute.
3. Pulse counting is carried out after a light rest, as well as before eating.