thread: pretmature atrial contractions?

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Gold Coast
    141

    Thumbs down pretmature atrial contractions?

    I'm 26 weeks pregnant and just found out my baby has fetal atrial premature contractions, meaning his heart skips a beat. I've been told its nothing to worry about unless his heart rate rises/drops but I was hoping to find someone who has been in a similar situation/ knows a bit about PAC's as google seems to have nothing. I've also posted this in another forum but have had no replies so thought I''d post here too.

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Apr 2008
    Adelaide
    1,741

    I'm an adult cardiac nurse so know nothing about PAC's in the fetus but on adults they are common, harmless and very very rarely have any significant problems associated with it. If there are no structural problems with the heart then often it is just one of those things. Did your OB tell you about pAC's or the technician I would check with your OB and if your still worried get a second opinion. Good luck with your search for answers.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Apr 2008
    Adelaide
    1,741

    I just googled PAC in fetus cardiac and there were a few good sites. The stated that 99% of cases are not associated with underlying structural problems and less than 1% go on to have other issues. The management seems to be regular monitoring of the babies heart rate which you would have at check ups. Please call your health care provider Monday and let them know your worried, they often font explain things in enough detailso we font go away worrying ourselves sick about them.

    My 1st DD had an unusual hinging on her ultrasound which was harmless but I still worried about it for weeks

    xxx