Heart palpitations while lying on the left side during pregnancy

[Preggers2007]

I am almost 40 weeks preganant, and for the past two weeks or so I would experience heart palpitations while lying on my left side. Pregnant women are told to sleep on their left side during pregnancy, but nonpregnant people are told to sleep on their right side...should I avoid sleeping on my left side, or are these palpitations harmless? My obstetrician has listened to my heart and says that it sounds fine. I have never had any cardiac problems before. Please advise.

[joree]

I am glad to hear that this is common.  My heart started fluttering off and on a few weeks ago, nothing alarming.  Well two days ago it started for what feels like non-stop, but i think it is because i am worried about it so I notice them more.  My next dr appointment is tomorrow and was going to bring it up then, but i feel much better about things after reading that is seems pretty common.  I'll sleep better tonight!

[fearfactor]

I cannot lie on my left side, it always makes me have palps!  Amazingly, I had a LOT less palps during pregnancy.  I had them more frequently for the first few weeks, but after that they nearly completely went away.  It was so awesome!  But, then they came back right a few weeks after I delivered.  I think mine are hormonal and for some reason the pregnancy hormones really agreed with me.  But about the left side thing, I sympathize...I definitely can't sleep on that side at all.

[myowncrazybeat]

I've been told palps are often more noticeable on the left side because the heart is closer to the chest wall.  You have a great deal more volume for the heart to pump during pg, especially near the beautiful end.  :)

Do make sure to keep a check of you pulse rates/rhythm... I speak of a personal experience and don't mean to frighten you.  During my last pg, my atria and pulmonary veins were apparently stretched a little too far.  Probably because I gained a little too much (35 lbs.)  :)  My flutters situation progressed into a-fib.  No one bothered with me until the night nurse discovered the problem.  I had no idea.  I have since learned, especially being a woman, you sometimes have to take the bull by the horns and fight for yourself.  

A dear friend ended up with similar symptoms.  She is doing wonderful.  Has absolutely no problems and is completely asymptomatic now.  Just delivered her second child... and her first was only 14 months!!  

Best wishes with the delivery!!  Birth is such a miraculous gift!!

[Haileys Mom]

Hi there. You are  not alone. I didn't seem to have this same problem until I got pregnant and then it became more pronounced after the birth. I have this problem even almost 2 years after my daughter's delivery.

I can't sleep on my left side. It spurs on the PVC's, heart palps, whatever you prefer to call them. I can literally feel my heart seemingly beating harder and more erradically whenever I turn on my left side. It's very unnerving to me.

I slept on my right side the entire time. I too was told that left side sleeping is optimal during pregnancy because of blood flow, but I couldn't do it! Try sleeping with a long body pillow on your right side, and prop up your left leg over it. Position yourself so that you are completely comfortable with your belly too, taking that pressure off certain areas of the body. That really helped me in the latter weeks.

Good luck and may you have a very pleasant and smooth delivery! It's so exciting, isn't it?!!!

Kelly

[anacyde]

I get palpitations lying on my left side, pregnant or not, though this was more pronounced during and for a few months after my pregnancy.  Sleeping on your right won't hurt you or the baby.  I slept about equally on both, it's your back you want to avoid until the baby is born.

Yikes, 40 weeks has got to be unpleasant.  I went to almost 42 weeks with my son.  I can't say I enjoyed those last three weeks!

[spratty]

Hi im 19 weeks pregnant and have been experiencing heart palpitations, PVC's, ectopics (watever u wanna call them) for about 3 years on and off. BUt since iv been pregnant iv really been suffering with them. Mine are like missed beats, iv had all the tests and told not to worry and they are benign! It is common in pregnancy as we have more blood and the heart has to work twice as hard! Also if you look through the posts alot of people feel them wen lying on there left side even wen not pregnant, if i was you i would sleep however u feel more comfortable, surely the more comfortable you r then the more comfortable ur baby is. I have never been told not to ly on my left side! If you dont like feeling them then ly on your right and get some quality sleep cus ur gonna need it lol! Good Luck with the baby and labour!