Monitoring your pulse rate during pregnancy helps you understand your body’s adjustments. Your pulse, a measure of your heartbeats per minute, provides insight into your cardiovascular function. While some changes are expected, recognizing these shifts helps differentiate normal physiological responses from potential concerns.
Understanding Your Pregnancy Pulse
Your pulse rate indicates how many times your heart beats per minute (bpm). A common resting pulse rate for adults is 60 to 100 bpm. During pregnancy, this resting heart rate commonly increases compared to pre-pregnancy levels. Studies show an average heart rate increase of about 10% throughout gestation, rising from early to late pregnancy.
Why Your Pulse Changes During Pregnancy
The body undergoes significant physiological adaptations during pregnancy to support the growing fetus, directly influencing your pulse rate. A primary change is a substantial increase in blood volume, often by nearly 50%. This expanded blood volume requires the heart to pump more blood more frequently to circulate it effectively throughout your body and to the placenta.
This increased demand leads to a higher cardiac output. Hormonal influences, such as elevated progesterone levels, also contribute to these cardiovascular adjustments, affecting blood vessel relaxation and increasing the heart’s workload. These factors result in the typical elevation of your heart rate observed throughout pregnancy.
When Your Pulse is Too High or Low
While a modest increase in heart rate is expected, sustained rates outside a typical range can be concerning. Tachycardia (above 100 bpm) and bradycardia (below 60 bpm) are generally considered abnormal during pregnancy. Temporary fluctuations can occur due to factors like dehydration, physical activity, or anxiety.
However, persistent elevated heart rates may signal underlying issues such as anemia or thyroid problems. Other concerning causes for sustained abnormal pulse rates include preeclampsia or infections. Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) can also manifest. Symptoms that warrant attention alongside an abnormal pulse include chest pain, trouble breathing, intense headaches, sudden swelling, or lightheadedness.
Monitoring Your Pulse and When to Seek Care
You can monitor your pulse manually or with a personal heart rate device. Regular prenatal visits allow your healthcare team to monitor your heart rate and blood pressure. Discuss any changes you notice with them. Seek medical attention promptly if you experience a persistently high or low pulse rate, especially if accompanied by symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, a sudden severe headache, or unusual swelling.