The Normal Pulse Rate During Pregnancy
Pregnancy affects a women's body in many ways, and one of these changes is your pulse rate, or the number of times your heart beats per minute. Also referred to as the heart rate, this increase in pulse reflects the heart working harder, pumping extra blood throughout the body. As part of routine prenatal care, and during labor and delivery, your doctor will monitor your pulse and other vital signs, such as blood pressure, in order to ensure they fall within safe ranges.
Heart and Blood Flow Changes
As the fetus grows, the uterus requires more blood flow in order to supply necessary nutrients for growth and development. As a result, the blood pumped by the heart increases by 30 to 50 percent, according to the Merck Manual. The heart rate at rest, which in nonpregnant adults usually ranges between 60 to 100 beats per minute, increases by 10 to 20 points during pregnancy, according to a September 2014 review published in "Circulation." According to this review, by the third trimester, the overall change in heart rate increases by 20 to 25 percent from baseline, or from the woman's heart rate before pregnancy.
- As the fetus grows, the uterus requires more blood flow in order to supply necessary nutrients for growth and development.
- According to this review, by the third trimester, the overall change in heart rate increases by 20 to 25 percent from baseline, or from the woman's heart rate before pregnancy.
Exercise Heart Rate
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Heart rate increases when exercising, as the active body needs the heart to pump more oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. So when a pregnant woman exercises, her heart rate increases too. Instead of a specific heart rate guideline for exercise, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists encourages women to choose moderate intensity exercises, which means there's enough movement to increase heart rate and cause some sweating 5. However, the intensity should be moderate enough that a woman can still talk while exercising.
- Heart rate increases when exercising, as the active body needs the heart to pump more oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.
- Instead of a specific heart rate guideline for exercise, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists encourages women to choose moderate intensity exercises, which means there's enough movement to increase heart rate and cause some sweating 5.
Other Factors That Affect Heart Rate
Other situations or conditions influence a person's heart rate, and these factors can affect pregnant women too. According to the American Heart Association, heart rate can be increased in hot, humid weather, or when a person is stressed, anxious or dehydrated. Certain medications, such as beta blockers used for blood pressure, can slow heart rate. During labor, heart rate also increases as the amount of blood pumped by the heart increases by as much as 30 percent, according to the Merck Manual. If heart rate becomes too fast or irregular, treatment is needed to keep mom and baby safe.
- Other situations or conditions influence a person's heart rate, and these factors can affect pregnant women too.
Warning
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Let your doctor know if you feel an abnormally fast heart rate, or if you have symptoms of dizziness, weakness or any episodes of fainting. While most women can continue their usual level of physical activity after getting pregnant, always consult your doctor before beginning any new or more strenuous exercise program. Your doctor may place limits on your activity or exertion level depending on your health and the health of your baby.
Reviewed by Kay Peck, MPH RD
- Let your doctor know if you feel an abnormally fast heart rate, or if you have symptoms of dizziness, weakness or any episodes of fainting.
- While most women can continue their usual level of physical activity after getting pregnant, always consult your doctor before beginning any new or more strenuous exercise program.
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References
- Merck Manual: Physical Changes During Pregnancy
- American Family Physician: Update On Prenatal Care
- Circulation: Cardiovascular Physiology of Pregnancy
- The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Exercise During Pregnancy
- Romero SA, Minson CT, Halliwill JR. The cardiovascular system after exercise. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2017;122(4):925–932. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00802.2016
- Nystoriak MA, Bhatnagar A. Cardiovascular Effects and Benefits of Exercise. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2018;5:135. Published 2018 Sep 28. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2018.00135
- Füzéki E, Banzer W. Physical Activity Recommendations for Health and Beyond in Currently Inactive Populations. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(5):1042. Published 2018 May 22. doi:10.3390/ijerph15051042
- De meersman RE. Heart rate variability and aerobic fitness. Am Heart J. 1993;125(3):726-31. doi: 10.1016/0002-8703(93)90164-5
- American Council on Exercise. Physical Fitness Assessments. Health Coach Manual. 2013.
- American Heart Association. All About Heart Rate (Pulse) January, 2018.
- Nate Brookreson. American College of Sports Medicine. ACSM Certification. "Using Heart Rate Monitoring For Personal Training." July 2015.
- Cleveland Clinic. Pulse and heart rate. Updated November 18, 2018.
- Reimers AK, Knapp G, Reimers CD. Effects of exercise on the resting heart rate: A systematic review and meta-analysis of interventional studies. J Clin Med. 2018;7(12):503. doi:10.3390/jcm7120503
- Quer G, Gouda P, Galarnyk M, Topol EJ, Steinhubl SR. Inter- and intraindividual variability in daily resting heart rate and its associations with age, sex, sleep, BMI, and time of year: Retrospective, longitudinal cohort study of 92,457 adults. PLoS One. 2020;15(2):e0227709. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0227709
Writer Bio
Lisa Weber is a freelance writer/editor and former special education teacher. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism and professional writing, and a master's degree in special education. Over the last 15 years, she has written for a variety of newspapers, magazines, and on-line publications.