arrythmia and pregnancy

  I am a 31 year old female and 7 1/2 mos. pregnant.  Before i got pregnant, i was on birth control pills for 10 years.  I was off the pills for 10 mos. before i became pregnant.  after 7 mos. of being off of the pill, i started experiencing irregular heartbeats that i felt as being a fluttering feeling in my heart.  i got those iregular heartbeats only the week before my period  for 3 mos in a row.  when i became pregnant, i didn't experience these at all for the first 3 mos.  at 4 mos. i started getting them again and have gotten them everyday since.  i have been checked by 2 cardiologists and have worn a holter monitor, had ecocardiogram and ekg. and all is normal except for etopic beats or pvc's noted.  i am told this is caused by hormones and would like to know what info. you have on pvc's and pregnancy.
  thank you for your time,
  dee dee,

[CCF CARDIO MD APS]

Dear dee dee,
PVCs and PACs or ectopic beats (whatever you want to term these extra heart beats) are totally benign, but they are not completely understood in that we only know of some things (not all) that spur them on so to speak.
Caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, tea, and stress are all famous for causing the extra beats, but whether you are pregnant or not, they will cause no harm.
If you ever get symptoms of shortness of breath, or chest pain,or passing out sensation then you would need a reevaluation.  It sounds as if you have been thoroughly checked out so to speak and you should rest easy that all is well.
Good Luck and write back if you have any further questions.
Information provided in the heart forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only, actual diagnosis and treatment can only be made by your physician(s).