ECG of pregnant women with suspected heart disease: is the procedure harmful for the baby?

One of the mandatory diagnostics that you need to undergo during pregnancy is an ECG. The reason for the examination is a hormonal failure, which can adversely affect the heart health of the expectant mother. Is it possible to do an ECG during pregnancy and is it harmful? About everything in order.

What is an EKG?

ECG, or electrocardiography, is one of the oldest methods for checking the functionality of the cardiovascular system, which allows you to detect serious diseases and pathologies in the early stages of development. Determines the activity of the heart and captures the data on graph paper.

ECG during pregnancy

Why is an EKG done during pregnancy?

ECG during childbearing is the only method by which it is realistic to diagnose the functionality of the heart muscle in expectant mothers, as they complain about:

• Shortness of breath.
• Heart palpitations.
• Rapid fatigue.
• Painful sensations in the chest.

Shortness of breath during pregnancy

Already during the first months of pregnancy in women, cardiac output increases, peripheral edema appears and the jugular vein pulsates strongly. Only an ECG during pregnancy will help to understand the real cause of pain in the heart and distinguish them from such ailments:

1. Muscle spasm.
2. Gastroesophageal reflux.
3. Pneumonia.
4. Compression of the esophagus.
5. Gastritis.
6. Panic attack, etc.

How to prepare for the procedure

Special preparation of the ECG does not require. Experts recommend:

• Do not eat 2.5 hours before the diagnosis.
• Do not be nervous.
• Sit quietly before the procedure for 10-15 minutes.

How is an EKG done for pregnant women

The study consists of several stages:

1. The woman exposes her lower leg, forearms and chest, lies down on the couch.
2. On these areas, the specialist applies a gel that improves the permeability of the current, and attaches the electrodes.
3. The cardiograph is launched, after which the work of the organ is recorded.

Is it possible for pregnant women to do an ECG often?

According to the standard, the study is done only once when the patient is registered in the antenatal clinic. But if complaints appear, or the doctor suspects the presence of cardiac pathologies, the pregnant woman is urgently sent for an ECG.

Reasons for re-examination of the heart:

• Sharp drops in blood pressure.
• Fainting and dizziness.
• Dull pain in left chest.
• Rapid heart contraction.
• Troubled breathing.
• Protracted toxicosis.

Dizziness during pregnancy

It is allowed to do a cardiogram at any period of pregnancy and not worry that it is dangerous for mother and child.

Features of the ECG of pregnant women

When analyzing diagnostic data, specialists take into account the physiological characteristics of the patient. For example: bearing a child provokes an increase in heart rate. This is due to the fact that the pressure on the heart gradually increases, and it needs to process a lot of blood. In parallel with this, the heart rate should not be more than 80 rubles / min.

During pregnancy, an extrasystole may appear - additional heart contractions. This is due to the fact that during pregnancy, excitation manifests itself not only in the sinus angle, but throughout the heart. If an atrial or ventricular contraction is systematically recorded in a future mother, she will be prescribed an additional examination.

In case of a bad ECG during pregnancy, the patient needs to be re-diagnosed. When the results are repeated, a woman is prescribed an ultrasound diagnosis of the heart, which can identify the cause of failures and select the optimal therapy.

Why Do Pregnant Women Have Heart Problems?

Provoke ailments can:

1. Mental disorders.
2. Hormonal disruptions.
3. Diseases of the central nervous system.
4. hereditary heart disease.
5. Exacerbation of existing cardiac ischemia, myocarditis.
6. congenital defects.
7. Neoplasms in the heart.

Deciphering the results

The decryption of the received data should be carried out by a qualified specialist. The only thing a woman can see herself is her pulse rate. Normally, this figure varies between 60-80 rubles / min.

Important! Pregnant women are characterized by tachycardia and bradycardia, so if the pulse is 100 beats per minute with normal blood pressure, a woman does not need to worry.

For some women, the normal heart rate is 110-130 rubles / min, so if you don’t know your body well, you don’t need to jump to conclusions on the cardiogram. In any case, if the ECG norm is violated, the pregnant woman is sent to a cardiologist who will select her treatment, taking into account the individual characteristics and nature of the disease.

ECG of the unborn child

A fetal ECG during pregnancy is called cardiotocography. This diagnostic shows the following data:

1. Baby's heart rate.
2. The movement of the fetus in the womb.
3. The regularity of uterine contractions (if an ECG is performed for pregnant women shortly before childbirth).

The procedure is completely safe and does not bring discomfort to mother and child. To conduct it, sensors are placed on the woman's stomach, which record the required information for forty minutes. Decryption is carried out by a specialist immediately.

Indicators that measure cardiotocography:

1. Pulse. Normal - within 110-170 beats / min. If minor deviations up or down are recorded, this indicates minor violations. Scores below 100 or above 180 are considered a dangerous symptom.
2. Heart rate variability or pulse rates in a calm and active state of the baby. The difference between these figures is within 10-25 rubles / min. Violations of 5 strokes in both directions are not considered a dangerous symptom. But if the baby's heart rate in a calm and mobile state differs by only 5 beats, this indicates serious problems.
3. The reaction of the child to external movements, music or stimulation. If the baby's heartbeat is quickening, then everything is in order.

The above criteria give doctors the opportunity to understand the condition of the child and the correctness of his development. Cardiotocography, together with other diagnostics, helps to detect fetal hypoxia, and in the worst case, affects the decision to artificial birth or caesarean section.

The study is scheduled only after the 32nd week of pregnancy. Previously, it is not carried out, because the fetus has not yet fully formed reactions to external stimuli.

Fetal ECG

Finally

Electrocardiography during pregnancy and fetal cardiotocography are universal methods for checking health. Due to the harmlessness, effectiveness and lack of inconvenience during the procedure, they help in time to detect and eliminate ailments that interfere with the comfortable bearing of a child.

More and more specialists are seeking to introduce CTG during childbirth, especially those where some complications are possible.