What could this be?!

[bjorker]

I feel a little silly asking here, because it sounds like something I should probably have checked out. Still, does this sound familiar to anyone?

I'm 17 weeks with my second child. In the past week or so, mostly in the evening, and mostly when I lay down, I get a funny feeling in my chest very briefly. I feel like I have a single beat of the heart that's a little stronger than normal (think when you're heart pounds, just not repeatedly, only on one beat), and it ever-so-slightly takes my breath away. Not to where I'm breathless or anything like that, it just feels like a little tiny rush of breath inside. It's all very subtle.

It does happen when I'm sitting sometimes, too, though again in the evening or at night. I can be laying on either side, or propped up (not flat on my back, and it doesn't happen any more when propped up on my back as it does when I'm on my side). It'll happen repeatedly, but spaced out a bit, not one right after the other.

???

[IAMommy]

In the second trimester, your blood pressure is at its lowest point. My midwife says she looks for that second trimester dip because it is a healthy sign. Drink more, and see if it helps. My blood pressure gets really low, and I find that as long as I drink enough and, er (TMI) keep myself empty, kwim, it helps.
Still, it is worth talking with your HCP to make sure nothing is amiss. Many things can have very subtle symptoms that seem like something benign.

[emamum]

i have this as well! i'm only 10ish weeks tho, i had it with dd but no one could explain it.

[LovnMyBoys]

I get single beat palpitations when pregnant and they are exactly like what you described. I've had mine checked out and they've basically said unless it is happening constantly or the heart is getting into a abnormal pattern for a bit of time, its okay.
However than being said heart issues are often found for the first time during pregnancy so its always a good thing to get them checked out.

[Keeta]

I had the same exact thing, and it's totally normal. It's completely freaky though, right?!! I always thought "Am I having a heart attack?!?" But no, it's fine, truly. And I haven't experienced it in a while, probably not since the second trimester, so it doesn't last forever.

[chai]

Palpitations, which may be helped by more calcium/magnesium/potassium/sodium. They can be caused by minerals and electrolytes being out of balance (thus affecting your nervous system).

[rhiOrion]

I get it when not pregnant, too... worse actually. I was on meds for it until I got pregnant.

If it's the same that I have it's called "PVCs" or "Premature Ventricular Contraction" (what the C stands for varies depending on what you're reading).

It feels like a skipped beat followed by a really strong beat. From what I've read it's not actually a "skipped" beat, but actually a beat that was too early. Then your heart has that flopping fish strong beat.

But... they're generally harmless. If I have a day where i have a bunch of them they might sort of give me a headache type feeling or lightheaded feeling for a second or two after. I think I get what you're talking about with the breathless feeling, too... it's almost like your lungs are skipping a beat with your heart.

Definitely worth mentioning to your provider, of course.

[bjorker]

Oh, you guys are awesome. That sounds exactly right. Thanks so much! I will still mention it next time I'm in, but I'm glad to hear that it sounds familiar to people and I don't need to go rushing to the ER or anything.

I was taking cal/mag supplements until this week, when I suddenly couldn't get them down anymore. I'll keep trying again to see if that awful gag reflex goes away.

Also, I have fairly low blood pressure normally, and it's definitely staying down there, so that also makes total sense.

Thank-you!!!