I went to my OB around 24 weeks and told her my heart was skipping beats (and it had been for weeks). If you have ever experienced this it is very scary. My OB told me it shouldn't do that after 20 weeks. That really concerned me…especially after our perfectly healthy baby girl’s heart just stopped beating. She suggested I go see a cardiologist just to check it out. So, frightened I called and made an appointment.
A few weeks later James and I went to the cardiologist. Nervous, anxious and praying for the best we waited for the doctor. After asking about my history (oh yes and how many babies I had... (insert tears here)) he suggested I wear a heart monitor and get an echo cardiogram done. He didn't think there was anything wrong but he wanted to be sure.
So, the next day I went and picked up this....
my heart monitor. I had to wear it for 24 hours. Let me just say being pregnant and wearing this thing does not mix!! The tape they put on you is VERY itchy.
24 hours later I was very glad to take back the monitor. Next, was my echo cardiogram. Remember I blogged about getting that done on Maddie's angelversary? It was a breeze. Basically they do an ultrasound of your heart. When I was done the tech kept asking me when my follow up appointment was, which scared me. Did it mean I needed to be seen quick?
Yesterday was my follow up appointment. My cardiologist said that the bottom of my heart is beating 80 extra beats. He said that it is not hurting anything. It can just be scary for patients. He got that right!!! He did say that some patients decide to take medication to control is. Since I am pregnant that is not an option.
After wearing the heart monitor I haven't noticed to many times where my heart is beating extra beats, which is great. He did say it could be from stress, or hormones and we all know I have tons of both of those!! So, I made an appointment to go back after Jackson is born to see how my heart is doing.
26 comments:
Valentines Day end Maddie's angelversary were very stressful for you. Your heart was so full iof emotion and love that it had to react differently than normal! I hope that there are no more problems.
Hi Kelly, Just wanted to tell you that I had the same problem a few years ago and went through the same thing. It turned out to be panic attacks. Once I calmed down and learned how to relax, the skipping stopped. It is extremely scary and I'll never forget the night I stayed awake the entire night out of fear. You have had a tremendous amount of stress. Hang in there mama. Everything will be ok. Lots of people out here praying for you!!
I am going through the exact same thing except I am not pregnant, it was hard to hear that nothing is wrong especially when it comes to your heart! My problem is that i get really out of breath if I increase my heart rate at all and it will skip beats like 5 times in a row. I am very glad your doctor took precautions by having you wear the halter monitor and have an echocardiogram because my doctor completely blew off my concerns. Praying for you Hun!
I'm glad everything is ok! I read every post, but rarely comment.
I nominated you on my blog!
http://www.dontlicktheferrets.com/2012/02/the-versatile-blogger/
It is not abnormal for patients to have arrhythmia's while pregnant!! You'd be surprised by the amount of pregnant patients we see in our clinic. I am glad you got it checked out and are staying on top of it though!!
Oh my gosh, I got that with all 3 pregnancies, my doctor said it was my hormones, it is so freaky every single time it happens! I am glad you got some answers, the first pregnancy Ihad them I was so scared! Hope all is well! Xoxo
Your heart is so strong it beats double time honey!! Now I know why you are filled with so much love for me and our kids!! You have an extra big heart!!! Love you!!
~J
Well its nice to know the dr isnt too concerned about it. I had to wear that monitor too one time (not pregnant) and it was a pain! So I can only imagine how it was while pregnant! They couldnt find anything wrong with my heart besides beating too fast occassionally. So they put me on meds for a awhile. But that was years ago. I still have a faster hb though, it's usually in the 90's-100's. Kinda scared the crap out of me. Hang in there girl!!! xo
I'm pregnant and my heart beats funny sometimes. Can you explain how it felt when yours did?
I can't imagine how scary that must feel for you!! But so glad that everything is ok and praying for great results and everything is back to normal when you go back in June! :)
That happened to me with my second pregnancy! They didn't find anything wrong, but my heart would just race...and that was scary!!! It went away after he was born!!
This same thing happens to me, but mine is due to anxiety. If I am stressed or nervous or anything, it happens. It is completely scary so I know how you feel. I had to wear the heart monitor for 72 hours and it was normal. It doesn't happen all the time, just here and there. I'm sure you have a lot on your mind and are probably nervous about a lot of things, which is totally normal. We just have a chemical imbalance and like myself need a little help with medication to even it out. You are going to be just fine, along with your precious baby.
Don't worry too much mama! I've had PVCs for years. They were worse when I was pregnant -and when I'm under lots of stress or am very anxious. Knowing what they were and that they are relatively common eased my mind a lot! :)
If you decide to medicate later, read up on the see effects. I don't medicate for mine, and that's one of many reasons.
Take care! Hope that helps a little! :)
Sounds like premature ventricular contractions (PVC's). Thanks to a heart defect, I get these pretty regularly. They definitely got WAY worse when I was pregnant. When it happens, it really is a very disconcerting feeling.
Hope it eases up for you soon!
I have been following your blog for a while now & I really enjoy reading about your sweet family and how strong you are. I just wanted to let you know that I went to the ER this week for that same reason! I am not pregnant or anything, just a very stressed college student. But it was crazy how the doctors told me if felt scarier than it was harmful. I pray you continue to feel better and not have those sensations!
-Karen
try cutting out caffeine. I had this when I was pregnant with my son, and my doctor told me not to have ANY caffeine ( chocolate, tea, coffee, soda, anything! ). And it worked! MY heart stopped beating so fast... and I did notice that whenever I had something with caffeine in it, my heart would speed up.
Just know you have so many people praying for you every single day. I know it must be scary, but try to relax and everything will be ok.
Praying for you and James and both your sweet kiddos always!
So glad that you'll be alright. You deserve to have a pregnancy with as little stress as possible.
I'm glad that you made it through Maddie's Angelversary. I thought of you and James and prayed for you that night. Maybe Maddie made sure your appointment was that day just to let you know that she's watching you and that she's there.
My daughter in law had that kind of thing and what helped her while she was pregnant was to lay flat on the floor and put her feet up against something so they are above her head. (high) My sister in law had something like that too she takes medication and also had to have her heart 'zapped' with a small current to get it back on track. It required a hospital visit over night.
I have been thinking about you, your husband and Maddie this entire month. My thoughts and prayers have been with you all constantly.
Have you checked into anemia? With my 1st child i developed tachycardia... it was so scary! I had a very high heart rate, along with chest pains, etc. I ended up staying 2 nights in the hospital because the doctors could not figure out what was the matter with me. After an Echo and extensive bloodwork, they suggested I start taking an iron supplement, which worked wonders.
I just thought I would throw that out there, especially since I Know how scary it can be.
Much love to you all :)
Kellie,
I have followed your blog for several months now, and have read your whole incredible story.
I have some pregnancy questions/blood clot questions if you don't mind answering? I have a history of blood clots and my husband and I are starting to look into trying to have a baby, but I want as much info as possible before we do. I looked for your email on your blog, but couldn't find it. If you don't mind answerind some questions, my email address is laurennovatka@yahoo.com
Thank you so much!
Lauren
Another stress that you dont need:( Sorry to hear about your heart. I'm glad that it is ok though...and I am so excited about baby Jackson! He deserves you and you deserve him:)
How scary Kellie! Will say an extra prayer for you and baby Jackson. Hugs!
I'm so glad that you got it checked out, and everything is OK!! How scary! I've been thinking about you, and praying for you all week. Your strength continues to inspire me. Take care, and stay strong mama!!
Heart skipping beats is NOT always normal, mine did that and ended up in heart failure at 36 weeks pregnant. I do not want to stress you out just raise awareness about peripartum cardiomyopathy because is ignored most of the time - any questions email me at chyannesworld@yahoo.com
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!
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