Heart palpitations and shortness of breath?

For a little while now, every now and then I'll get what I can only describe as heart palpitations (my heart beats quicker and harder and feels like it skips a few beats every now and then) and I'll feel like the air is being squeezed out of me a bit, especially when it feels like my heart is skipping a beat. Is this okay/normal? It happens more when I am lying down than not. I've never had an issue with lying on my back, it happens more when I'm lying on my side than anything...or maybe I just notice it more when I'm lying down. Is it okay?

Is it something that has just started happening or been happening for a while?

Hmmm...I think maybe the last 2 months?

when is your next pre-natal visit?

it is highly likely it is nothing more than your body reacting to the extra blood volume during pregnancy and your heart havin to work a bit harder, but mention it at your appointment.

I have had this before as well. It was explained to me by both the Dr and Natural therapist, that sometimes, we simply become aware of our beats which then appears to have missed a beat. - Awareness of a skipped heart beat can also be linked to depression and anxiety (not sure how though)

If you are worried, go to the Doctor and ask him to run an ecg. The problem is, if it is happening sporadically, then it may not be picked up on an ecg.

Don't stress though. If you google it, it's actually quite common. Only you can tell if you need to get it seen to. Follow your gut instinct.

Kimmi xx

What BG said... if it was a sudden onset I'd say go get checked out now... or even if it has starting happening alot more in recent days... asking never hurt :)

Thanks guys! I actually just had a middie appointment and forgot to bring it up...next one is at the end of the month. But I'll be keeping my eye on it, it's good to hear that more than not it's normal - I kind of suspect the shortness of breath may also be attributed to Isla moving higher up (I'm pretty short with a short torso) and the fact that on top of that I have big heavy boobs on my chest :p

Although an increased awareness of cardiac activity is common in pregnancy, the heart is not something you should easily dismiss. Pregnancy puts increased pressure on the heart so if you had some kind of issue if is possible it would first become apparent when pregnant. Yes more often than not it is nothing, but always worth getting checked. :)

Actually my midwife is going to call me tomorrow, I just remembered! I'll mention it then, there's no harm in letting her know right? With all the sad news atm, I'm so scared about every little thing :( I'd rather have to make a trip to the hospy or clinic than anything happen.

:hug: always better to be safe than sorry. X have you thought about talking to someone about how you're feeling?

Not until today. I've been anxious the whole way through, but now...I cancelled my hydrotherapy class and my physio appointment today. I just want to stay at home where it's safe. I remember my GP mentioning that psychologists and counsellors are available through the obstetric unit at Sunshine...maybe I should make an appointment. I don't know. I've been pretty depressed and anxious lately...but that's a whole other thread!

If it's causing you to stay home like that i definitely think you should make an appointment. :hug: if you are carrying fears it can effect your birth. I really think you should talk to someone. Rhea dempsy does pre and post birth counseling if you have no luck at he hospital. she was the one to tell me how important it is to go into birth having dealt with any issues you might have. Whether it is fear, anger, previous loss, or something else. She'd be great for you to talk to. :hug:

Thanks chick. We're doing Di Diddles birth classes in a few weeks, which feature rhea. I might drop my doula a text, she's great. I was okay once I got past the 20 weeks mark, and feeling her move all the time helps...but **** things can happen to anyone. The last thing I want to do is hold on to anything negative, because I know it'll impede this birth. Thanks for talking me through this :hug:

The shortness of breath is pretty normal as bubs takes up more space. I'm like you and am short with a short torso so I noticed this with both pregnancies.

I think I know what you mean with your heart racing - I used to get it when I took ventolin. I can't recall if I had it in pregnancy but it does sound like it could be anxiety related. I did the hypnobirthing course and found that it was really helpful in enabling me to adjust my breathing to control my heart rate. This might be worth looking into to help control it if it is anxiety related.

Its been normal for me through both pregnancies. None of it seemed to be related to anything health wise... last pregnancy I had high blood pressure, this one.. its low. So I think its just one of them things... :) I notice it more when laying on my side aswell.. weird!

I agree that you should talk to someone about your fears, with everything thats been happening lately it's no surprise it's made you anxious & worried. Please make sure you talk, dont keep it bottled inside.
Big :hug:

Have had exactly the same thing, heart seems to pound every now and then. Did a bit of a read, says it's normal in pregnancy for your resting heartrate to increase. My resting heartrate pre-pregnancy was 45bpm, me and the man timed it at 70bpm one night :o but you've got a lot more blood pumping around so it's not that surprising! I'm doing good according to all my docs and midwives though, so I think it's unlikely that you need to stress either. :)

PZ - i had this and had a blood test that showed I was Vitamin D deficient, so have to take tablets, I couldnt believe that would cause heart palpultations but it does and shortness of breath. Have you had it checked? its very important not to be Vitamin D deficient for the baby and for yourself.

Otherwise it could just be anxiousness or panic attack...

hope you feel better soon

Yep Belle, my Vit D was low when they did my first lot of tests when I got my bfp...I've been on a supp for it ever since :)

phew PZ thats good you are on supps, wonder what it is? hope u r ok

I had this happen throughout my pregnancy and then a few weeks ago i had it happen where it would go on for ages.

It was just the same as you, happened if i was on my side and i noticed it would keep doing it unless i moved, then if i went back onto that side it would do it again.

I asked when i went in for a ctg and they got the OB to check me, she said it was a positional thing and caused by the increased blood flow and she didnt think it was anything sinister but if i kept happening after i gave birth to get it seen too. She also said that if u are a smaller person, u become more aware of ur heartbeat.

Definitely ask about it though, its not worth taking the risk.