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10 Bright Stars
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| Posted: April 28 2007 at 5:31pm | IP Logged
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I was wondering if anyone has had a similiar experience while expecting before. I am pregnant with my eighth child, and 6 months along and I am 37 years old. During this pregnancy, I have had a few episodes, probably around 6-7 in all, where I will suddenly feel faint and feel very light-headed or have a funny sensation in my head, and this coinsides with heart palpitations and my heart feels as if it is almost slowing down and then speeding up etc. It happened to me again an hour or so ago. I was picking up a twin from the bath, and then it happened. My family has a history of strokes on my paternal grandmother's side, so I just worried it was something serious, or can this just be pregnancy related? I have a docs appt. this week so I will ask him of course, but in the meantime, wondered if this happens to anyone else when they are pregnant? It will sometimes happen even at rest when I am going to sleep at night, so it is not neccesarily related to exertion.
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Kim married to Bob (22y)
Mom of 11 blessings:
Bobby 19, David 17, Noah 14,
Mary 12, Gracie 10,
Isabelle and Sophia 8,
Gabrielle 6,
William Anthony 4, Joseph 3 and Luisa Marie - born in M
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Jacinta
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| Posted: April 28 2007 at 6:25pm | IP Logged
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I have had heart palpitations during pregnancy, and from researching online have discovered that this is not uncommon, and is not a problem -- however, I have never any faintness or light-headedness, or anything like that. That would definitely worry me! That seems to indicate that whatever is going on with your heart is actually having some negative effect elsewhere in your body. Definitely ask about it at your doctor's appointment!
Jacinta
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Angel
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| Posted: April 28 2007 at 6:49pm | IP Logged
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I have PVCs -- preventricular contractions -- which are worse during pregnancy... and which really freak doctors and nurses out, but which I have been told are harmless. They don't make me feel lightheaded, though -- just sometimes short of breath.
PVCs are irregular heartbeats. They can happen at rest or anytime, and like I said are worse during pregnancy (increased blood volume) and when I have too much caffeine.
--Angela
Three Plus Two
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Tami
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| Posted: April 28 2007 at 7:08pm | IP Logged
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Kim, you don't say which day your dr.'s appt. is, but if this happens again, or continues, certainly, I think I'd recommend a phone call, and not wait for the appt.
I'm pretty laid-back about many things, but in a situation like this, I'd err on the side of caution.
What is you dh saying?
Oh, and I'll be praying for you.  
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Tami
When we are crushed like grapes, we cannot think of the wine we will become. (Nouwen)
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: April 28 2007 at 7:24pm | IP Logged
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I get heart palpitations late in pregnancy, especially upon exertion. My md says it is actually indigestion. Your abdominal organs are pushing up on your heart and lungs and when you have indigestion it makes your heart beat faster and makes you feel winded. (Not a very scientific explanation,  , my memory isn't serving me well)
I really didn't buy it, but they had me take Pepcid and it stopped. 
Just my experience. Of course, check with your doctor.
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juststartn
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| Posted: April 28 2007 at 8:15pm | IP Logged
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I have the same issue--only its a sudden drop in blood pressure. Yes, it will freak me out completely. Laying down really does not help it much. The dr's have told me that it can recur, it's one of those nerve things that just happens--there is no telling why, but they'd rather me have low blood pressure, than high, because it means that my veins and vessels are so relaxed...lol.
Relaxed? Yeah. Sure. When my bp drops to 82/54, I'm NOT relaxed (and that was lying down, ladies, on my side). It has come and gone a couple of times since my initial "episode". I've been told no/limited stairs (fortunate since I am in a one story house, lol), and limited driving (if I start feeling light headed, woozy, nauseatd, short of breath, I am to pull over, lay my seat back, and call my DH. LOL).
I realize I am LOLing alot. But frankly, there's nothing I can DO about it. All I can do is keep check on myself, keep myself close to home, and rest whenever possible. And make sure I keep well fed and hydrated, too.
HTH. I know it is scary. I don't have any diagnosed heart problems, it's just the bp. I would mention it to your dr, but I wouldn't be TERRIBLY worried about it. Btw, my first episode happened to occur in the dr's office--I was sitting in the waiting area, for a level II u/s, and had to go lay down in the back--they checked my bp, and it was already down to 95/63, and then it dropped again to the 82/54 mark a little later...after I'd been laying down for a good while.
It doesn't get any "less" scary, either. I had another episode this last week, when I was sent to L&D after an NST--my bp was dropping again, but was back up again before they checked me (it was still on the low side, even for me, but within the normal limits)....but I felt unable to draw in enough breath, nauseated, woozy, and lightheaded--and I was/had been laying down! LOL. Its a scary sensation....but just keep in mind that if it IS bp, it will pass, eventually. I'd just mention it to your dr, and let your DH/family know that you may need to be resting MORE (I know, I know--"Rest?" ROTFLMBO), laying down on the couch or even the floor, and if they find you like that Do NOT expect you to hop up and do whatever.
Oh, and I have never had this happen in any of my previous pregnancies, either. I always have bp on the slightly low side, even when not pregnant. My normal is about 110-109/75-76. Not terribly low....
HTH
Rachel
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MaryMary
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| Posted: April 28 2007 at 8:59pm | IP Logged
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Kim,
In my last pregnancy (#3) I had heart palpitations. No other symptoms other than my heart racing. I had about 6 or 7 episodes during the entire pregnancy. When I brought this to my O.B. he dismissed it as normal in pregnancy and "hormone related". I would definitely mention all of your symptoms when you see your O.B., though..
Prayers for you!
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10 Bright Stars
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| Posted: April 29 2007 at 11:30am | IP Logged
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I am very breathless all the time too. After I go up a flight of stairs, I have to lean against the washer/dryer etc to catch my breath etc. So, that is definately an issue too. Interesting that others have related the same. Makes me feel better that others have expereinced similiar things. My docs appt is on Thursday, so I will chat with him then. I also have low blood pressure, so maybe it is related? To answer the question concerning my husband, he always thinks things like this are "in my head". Oh well. He is great in every other way, so I will let it slide. 
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Kim married to Bob (22y)
Mom of 11 blessings:
Bobby 19, David 17, Noah 14,
Mary 12, Gracie 10,
Isabelle and Sophia 8,
Gabrielle 6,
William Anthony 4, Joseph 3 and Luisa Marie - born in M
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MarilynW
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| Posted: April 29 2007 at 1:04pm | IP Logged
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Hi Kim
With my last pregnancy I had horrible heart palpitations at about 5 months. It was kind of like an anxiety attack - scared the wits out of me. They found that I was borderline hyperthyroid. It cleared up after about 2 weeks and was brought on by the flu I think.
I was awfully breathless from 26 weeks - last pregnancy and this. I too have very low blood pressure. I assume the breathlessness is due to the expanded uterus. I am fairly small (5ft 2 and small framed) - and not much room for the baby - all mine are under 7 lbs (so far) I think I noticed last time that the breathing got a lot easier when the baby dropped at about 33 weeks. I do find the breathlessness very tough - have to force myself to do some slow breathing so that I do not panic.
I will pray for you.
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Essy
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| Posted: April 29 2007 at 1:20pm | IP Logged
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Hi Kim,
I'm not pregnant(nor have I ever been)but I get what you are saying a lot...including the shortness of breath going up the stairs. I've recently been reading about Mitral valve prolapse (it's not as bad as it sounds)and think that's what I got. I'm going to be talking to my doctor about it and requesting an echocardiogram. Meanwhile...it's probably a good idea to stay away from caffeine and sugar.
You can read about what I'm going through over at my blog. http://antiyeastdiet.blogspot.com/
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KrisZ
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| Posted: April 29 2007 at 1:47pm | IP Logged
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I've had palpitations during all of my pregnancies. I feel them most often while resting or trying to go to sleep. I saw a cardiologist about 10 years ago. He said I was having non-dangerous, abnormal heartbeats. He said many people have them, but most people just don't notice them. I also have palpitations when I'm anxious. If I start to panic I also feel the light-headed feeling. I get the funny feeling in my head too. My symptoms are all related to anxiety & panic attacks.
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10 Bright Stars
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| Posted: April 29 2007 at 6:06pm | IP Logged
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Thanks for all the responses. I do drink two cups of coffee a day, (1/2 coffee, 1/2 milk so it is weaker, but still) and I DO have thyroid problems too. I tend to go hyperthyroid in pregnancy, so everything everyone has mentioned sounds like what I am going though and the good thing is that YOU ARE ALL STILL ALIVE!!! I was just worried, since it was my heart after all, that something serious might be going on that was life-threatening or would cause problems with the baby or something. I will still talk to my doc about it this Thursday, but I am relieved that so many have experienced similiar things. Ironically, someone mentioned it being brought on by the flu, and we DO have the flu at the house this week. I have not succumbed as of yet, although stomach is getting a little "pinchy" feeling  , but maybe this particular incident had to do with that, and the others with low blood pressure etc. Thanks for all the valuble information!!
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Kim married to Bob (22y)
Mom of 11 blessings:
Bobby 19, David 17, Noah 14,
Mary 12, Gracie 10,
Isabelle and Sophia 8,
Gabrielle 6,
William Anthony 4, Joseph 3 and Luisa Marie - born in M
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juststartn
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| Posted: April 29 2007 at 7:50pm | IP Logged
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Kim, one of the things my dr told me about was that in general, there is a dip in bp during pregnancy--mid-late (most women have more problems in the pre-24wks time frame)...and that for women whose bp is generally on the low side anyway, they may have more problems with dramatic drops...because for a woman whose bp normally runs 120ish, dropping 20pts isn't as difficult a switch as dropping from say, 110 to 90 or below IS (like what mine did/does).
Keeping hydrated is vital, avoiding sugary stuff also seems to help....but there is really nothing to be done for it...
Do hope that your drs apptmt goes well. I've got one on Weds. myself, for another u/s. I just want to get thru it without getting sent to L&D for monitoring afterwards..it seems like every time I go in to see a dr, I go upstairs for monitoring....sigh. Usually for 4
hrs or so at a time....
Keep us updated, ok?
Rachel
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Married DH 4/1/95
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Cathmomof8
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| Posted: May 15 2007 at 12:21pm | IP Logged
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I've had this same thing during and after pregnancy my last few kids. I've had complete cardiac work ups twice now and everything is structurally fine it seems. but it would still worry me when it happens - especially times that I feel 'lightheaded' or dizzy. This past baby I had a lot of that post partum. Hormones - got to love them!!
Theresia - mom of 8
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Topic: heart palpitations during pregnancy
