How is an ecg done during pregnancy. Normal heart rhythm in pregnant women on ECG. Do I need to do a fetal ECG?

Echocardiography (ECG) is a rather old method of studying the work of the heart, which allows timely detection of diseases of the cardiovascular system. It is based on the determination of the electrical activity of the heart muscle itself, which is recorded on a special film (paper). The device records the total potential difference of absolutely all heart cells located between two points (leads).

Quite often, expectant mothers think about whether it is possible to do an ECG during pregnancy, and whether this kind of manipulation is dangerous for the fetus. Let's try to answer this question, and tell you how often an ECG is done during pregnancy and what are the indications for such a study.

Why is an EKG done?

Before considering the features of such a procedure in pregnant women, let's talk about why an ECG is generally prescribed during pregnancy.

To begin with, it should be noted that when carrying a fetus, the heart of the expectant mother works in an enhanced mode, in view of the fact that there is an increase in the volume of circulating blood. In addition, the hormonal background, which changes almost immediately after conception, has a direct effect on the work of the heart muscle. That is why it is especially important to establish possible violations even before the onset of pregnancy. Given this fact, most family planning medical centers include mandatory examinations and ECG.

With the help of such a study, the doctor can set such parameters as the rhythm and frequency of the heartbeat, the speed of the electrical impulse, which allows diagnosing such disorders as disorders of the functioning of the heart muscle, etc.

Is an ECG safe for pregnant women?

Among women, one can often hear the assertion that an ECG during pregnancy is harmful. Such a statement is unfounded and is refuted by doctors.

The thing is that during the procedure for taking an ECG, there is no effect on the human body, unlike radiography, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), which are strictly prohibited during gestation.

With an ECG, special sensors only record the electrical impulses emitted by the heart itself and record them on paper. Therefore, such a procedure is absolutely safe and is carried out by all expectant mothers, without exception, when registering in a antenatal clinic.

Features of the ECG in pregnant women

When evaluating the results obtained from the ECG, doctors take into account some features of the physiology of a pregnant woman. So, in particular, when carrying a fetus, the number of heartbeats is usually higher than normal, which indicates an increase in the load on the heart muscle, which needs to pump more blood. At the same time, normally it should not exceed 80 contractions per minute.

It is also worth noting that during pregnancy, the presence of separate extrasystoles (additional contraction of the heart muscle) is allowed, because. sometimes excitement can occur in any part of the heart, and not in the sinus node, as usual. In cases where the electrical impulse constantly occurs in the atrium or atrioventricular node of the ventricle, the rhythm is called atrial or ventricular, respectively. This kind of phenomenon requires additional examination of the pregnant woman.

With a poor ECG during pregnancy, before establishing possible violations, the study is repeated after a while. If the results are similar to the first, an additional examination is prescribed - an ultrasound of the heart, which allows you to establish the presence of anatomical disorders that cause disruption of the heart.

Our heart is a motor, from which electrical impulses depart every second. If the heart beats evenly, then the impulses occur at regular intervals. The paper leaving the ECG machine reflects the normal heart rate, contraction rate, the source of excitation in the heart, conduction. A healthy person is recommended to check the work of the heart 1 time in 2 years. ECG in early pregnancy is one of the first important procedures during registration. Further carried out as needed.

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What are they doing for? EKG early?

ECG is necessary and safe for pregnant women. The main objectives of the procedure are:

Prevention of heart disease and heart failure. , arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, inflammatory processes are recorded using an electrocardiogram.
Prevention of deviations in the work of internal organs and body systems - preeclampsia.
Drawing up a complete picture of the health of a pregnant woman. The ECG in the chart will help doctors make decisions: prescribe medications, pay attention to problems and monitor them more closely, prescribe additional examinations.
Further monitoring of fetal development and delivery. There are heart diseases in which the continuation of pregnancy is dangerous for the life of the woman in labor. She must make an informed and considered decision, taking into account knowledge of the risk. There are diagnoses in which natural childbirth is prohibited, the doctor must identify them.

Is an ECG done in early pregnancy if the woman has not yet suffered from any heart disease? The volume of circulating blood that it pumps increases in pregnant women, so deviations associated with the new condition may occur. Hormonal changes in the body can also affect the functioning of the heart. And some diseases are asymptomatic and do not make themselves felt.

All pregnant women are shown an ECG without fail. Agree, it is extremely dangerous to detect a problem during childbirth. If heart problems were overlooked, and labor activity began, then only resuscitation will save.

Is an ECG dangerous during pregnancy?

Electrocardiography is safe and can be done an unlimited number of times. There are no penetrating rays in the device, it does not affect the body. The task of the ECG is to register the electrical impulses emanating from the contraction of the heart muscle. You can go for an examination without fear and additional consultations with a doctor.

The ECG procedure in early pregnancy is no different from the usual one and is performed in the supine position. Sensors are attached to the wrists and ankles, and electrodes are attached to the chest area. For a healthy person, three leads (sensor overlay patterns) are superimposed between the arms and legs, points on the chest. And for pregnant women, the doctor may prescribe additional leads for a more complete picture.

Recommendations for the procedure are standard: take food 2 hours before the study, do not worry, because nervous tension and overeating can make the result uninformative, and in the worst case, cause a false positive diagnosis.

How often should an electrocardiogram be done?

An ECG during early pregnancy can be shown more than once, so as not to miss a dangerous condition. Here are the cases in which doctors refer for an additional examination:

with complications: severe toxicosis, preeclampsia, low or polyhydramnios, with high / low blood pressure, pressure surges;
with palpitations, pain in the heart area, in the left side of the chest and regular pain in the area of the left shoulder blade (be sure to tell your doctor about these symptoms!);
with frequent, dizziness, darkening in the eyes;
in the presence of hectic work and other factors in the life of a pregnant woman that affect her nervous system.

If there are no complications, the procedure is performed three times. The first time - as early as possible, ideally - for a period of 5-6 weeks. If the deadline is missed - at the time of registration. The second is carried out with a general screening at the 12th week. When applying for a sick leave for maternity leave, the doctor can send an ECG for the third time.

How to read an ECG in pregnant women

In the absence of deviations, the results of a pregnant woman will not differ from the results of any healthy person:

heart rate (pulse) - 60-80 beats / minute;
rhythm - sinus;
the electrical axis of the heart (position of the heart, EOS) is 30-70 0, but during pregnancy a temporary deviation of up to 90 0 is allowed.

If there are other parameters in the conclusion, it is time to contact a cardiologist and conduct additional examinations.

A slight sinus tachycardia is allowed, it is possible to detect an overload of some cardiac departments. Such deviations are associated with an increase in the load and volume of circulating blood. This is not a reason to panic, but a reason for a deeper examination of problem areas and monitoring them.

Do not confuse maternal and fetal ECG

To check the work of the heart in the future baby, CTG (cardiotocography) is performed. The need for it appears when the fetal heartbeat can be registered - not earlier than 28-30 weeks.

Watch the video about CTG in pregnant women:

Have you had cases when you once identified and stopped a heart disease during pregnancy using an ECG? Tell us about it in the comments!

A universal tool for diagnosing cardiac pathologies can be called electrocardiography, the data of which make it possible to determine the electrical activity of the main muscle of the human body. This procedure is prescribed both if a heart rhythm failure is suspected, and in order to monitor the state of the myocardium, in particular, performing an ECG during pregnancy allows you to record the presence or absence of abnormalities at different stages of fetal development.

Important! According to the established rules, an ECG during pregnancy is carried out at least once, namely, when registering at a antenatal clinic. A repeated check of the condition of the heart is carried out as prescribed by the doctor if there are any complaints or symptoms of cardiovascular diseases.

The essence of the procedure is to fix a number of indicators, ranging from the frequency and rhythm of the heartbeat, the location of the organ and the intensity of the contractions of the chamber, ending with the speed with which the bioelectric impulses pass. In many cases, it is the ECG that helps to establish the presence of arrhythmia, blockade and other failures, the decoding of which is performed by a specialist, and the conclusion contains information about the health of the heart.

From the point of view of the health of the mother and child, it is more advisable to carry out an ECG for pregnant women in the first trimester, since then there is a chance to prevent irreversible changes in the "internal engine" and avoid the use of a large amount of medication. The fact is that after the formation of the fetus, the woman's heart muscle begins to function with an increased load, pumping much more blood, which, combined with changes in the hormonal background, increases the risk of functional disorders. In order not to expose yourself and your future child to unnecessary risk, you should not postpone the procedure.

When is an ecg prescribed for pregnant women?

Due to the fact that the process of bearing a child is associated with a significant restructuring of the body, it is quite understandable why women are prescribed a lot of tests and studies. One of the mandatory procedures is an EKG during pregnancy - in principle, any person knows how electrocardiography is done. At the same time, few of the fair sex are aware that in some cases it will have to be done several times, including at a later date. Very often, doctors prescribe a heart test during a difficult pregnancy, when there is a need for constant monitoring of the cardiovascular system. In addition, several times electrocardiography will have to be done by those expectant mothers who have congenital or acquired cardiac dysfunctions.

If in the first months of pregnancy, myocardial diagnostics is carried out to determine the nature of the rhythm and determine existing disorders, then in the future the reason for taking a cardiogram may be:

periodic or constant discomfort in the heart area;
feeling of heaviness in the chest;
oligohydramnios, severe toxicosis, preeclampsia, polyhydramnios and other complications associated with the growth and development of the child;
increase or decrease in blood pressure;
fainting or frequent dizziness.

The impact of ecg on the health of the expectant mother

Despite all the assurances of doctors, many women seriously think about whether it is possible for pregnant women to do an ECG, and will the procedure have a negative impact on the unborn child? In fact, there are absolutely no contraindications to performing this study, respectively, there is no reason to fear for yourself and the baby. The process of taking indicators takes just a few minutes and does not involve the collection of biochemical materials or the impact on the work of the female body. New generation equipment makes it possible to obtain the most accurate data silently, quickly and without causing the slightest inconvenience.

Attention! Unlike X-rays and other methods of examining the internal state of organs and systems, no radiation is performed during measurements, so ECG for all pregnant women is a 100% safe study.

What to do before taking an electrocardiogram?

Although the procedure itself does not require any effort from the fairer sex, there are certain recommendations that should be followed if you are prescribed an ecg during pregnancy. Considering how electrocardiography is done, namely, in the supine position, electrodes are fixed in several projection zones, on the shins and wrists, it is advisable not to eat much before the procedure. Otherwise, there is a possibility of registering not entirely correct indicators, since in many future women in labor after a hearty meal, the heart rate increases significantly. However, it is also not recommended to come to research hungry - ideally, 1.5-2 hours should pass from the moment of eating.

Important! One of the main conditions for obtaining truthful results can be called the calmness of a woman during the diagnosis. In order not to worry about whether it is possible for pregnant women to do an ECG at a certain month and not think about everyday problems, it makes sense to relax before visiting the doctor, for example, sit in the park or take a walk for 10-15 minutes.

EKG indicators to look out for

Upon completion of the measurements of the work of the heart, the sensors are removed, and the film with the indicators needs to be decoded. Sometimes the conclusion is made directly by the doctor who took the readings, although there are cases when the decoded electrocardiogram of the patient is obtained from another specialist.

It is clear that an ordinary person will not be able to understand complex medical terminology, but it is worth knowing which indicators should be paid special attention to.

We are talking, first of all, about the pulse rate, which normally ranges from 60 to 80 beats, although for women who are carrying a child, a slight (accelerated heartbeat) or bradycardia (a decrease in the number of contractions) is considered normal. At least, if in parallel with this you do not have high blood pressure or background heart disease. The conclusion also indicates the location of the electrical axis and the presence of changes in the heart rhythm, while regardless of the results of the ECG, the transcript must be shown to the gynecologist and, if necessary, consult a cardiologist.

An ECG is a procedure that monitors the rhythm of the heart. The paper tape displays a graph of cardiac activity at the time the procedure was performed. The necessary information can be obtained quickly.

The electrical field of the woman's heart is analyzed, its rhythm, number of contractions are determined, violations are reflected, such as heart pathologies, non-cardiac diseases, and much more.

The study is non-invasive, there is no injury to the skin, patients do not experience pain. In cardiology, the procedure is considered informative. But despite this, there are also disadvantages. Many are of the opinion that the procedure does not detect heart disease, tumor-like formations, noises, and much more.

In modern cardiology, ECG is used frequently. The procedure helps to identify pathologies in a child or mother at an early stage. There are many indications for carrying out, from the recommendations of the attending physician, to the initiative of the woman herself.

Procedures can be prescribed based on the patient's complaints, among them:

headaches, causeless fainting;
the appearance of shortness of breath, a feeling of weakness;
sudden palpitations that appear at rest;
heart disease in close relatives;
difficulty breathing, chest pain;
disease of the nervous or endocrine system.

Important! During the first pregnancy, an ECG is a mandatory procedure. Other indications are a conflict of Rh factors, diastasis after the birth of a child.

There are other indications for the procedure not related to pregnancy, among them:

persons after forty years;
women planning a pregnancy;
complications that appear during the period of gestation;
people who have had infectious diseases;
abuse of bad habits;
before the upcoming surgery.

In each case listed above, an ECG is mandatory.

ECG for pregnant women - is it possible to carry out?

Pregnancy is a state in which the body is rebuilt to a new rhythm of work. For the full bearing of the fetus, the necessary hormones are produced. An ECG is carried out without fail, some time after a woman registers in a antenatal clinic.

Frequency - at least once. Many doctors recommend doing an ECG up to three times in nine months. To determine the health of the fetus and the expectant mother, the procedure is carried out in the first trimester. It is possible to identify existing deviations at an early stage of development.

During pregnancy, a woman's heart works for two, a large amount of blood is pumped daily, the load increases several times. All these factors, together with hormonal changes, can cause the development of other pathologies.

Interesting! All women registered for pregnancy are sent for an ECG. As an adjunct, studies are performed after the onset of chest pain or other symptoms.

In order for the life of a woman and a child not to be endangered, it is necessary to undergo the procedure, as well as treatment, if necessary.

Stages of the procedure

ECG or electrocardiography is a procedure aimed at examining the heart muscle, 12 graphs are displayed on the tape. Based on them, it is possible to draw a conclusion about the work of the body.

Is preparation necessary?

The expectant mother does not undergo special training before the study. There are some recommendations to improve the patency of impulses.

They can be attributed to:

an hour before the procedure, ensure yourself peace, avoid physical exertion;
on the day of taking readings, it is forbidden to drink coffee and other energy drinks;
the day before the procedure, you can not go to the sauna or bath;
it is forbidden to lubricate the chest area with a greasy cream.

Process description

The procedure can be carried out by nurses working in a medical institution or specialized specialists.

The order of conduct is as follows:

the woman is placed on a special couch;
ethyl alcohol degreases the chest area and other places where the sensors are attached;
to improve the conductivity of electrical impulses, a special gel is applied;
electrodes are attached to the hands, legs and chest area, wires are attached to the sensor of the measuring device;
to display the graph and record it on the tape, the cardiograph is turned on;
at the end of the procedure, a tape is obtained with a schedule of the heart.

It is impossible to worry at the time of the study, otherwise the studies will be interpreted incorrectly. All you need to do is relax and breathe calmly.

Interesting! The process of digestion of food can strengthen the work of the heart, therefore it is not recommended to eat in two hours.

ECG Leads

There are several ways to record an ECG: on the chest and in the region of the heart. To take readings from the fetus, special devices are attached to the abdomen of a pregnant woman.

Based on where the electrode is located, a graph will be displayed. Now, as for the lead, this is a method that registers readings with different electrodes. It can be enhanced and standard.

As for the second method, the devices are connected in pairs, namely:

First position. There is a measurement of potentials between the right hand and the left.
Second position. There is a measurement of the difference between the right hand and, respectively, the left foot.
Third position. Difference between left hand and right foot.

With enhanced abduction, the electrodes are located at certain points, namely:

The location of the electrode on the right hand. The left arm and leg are attached to the passive electrode.
Active is located on the left hand, passive on the opposite arm and leg.
Separation from the left leg. The hands are joined together, the active electrode is placed on the left leg.

Which method to use is decided by the doctor.

Deciphering the results

A specialist in this field and no one else can decipher the analyzes. In the resulting analysis, the heart rate is visible, as well as the state of the organ. A lot of numbers, graphs, names are displayed - a simple doctor will not be able to decipher them.

In order to understand whether the readings are normal, you should adhere to special indicators:

heart rate- the frequency of heart contractions, in pregnant women is normal up to 120;
PQ- normally up to 0.3, the expectant mother may have a slight tachycardia;
R- up to 0.5.5 millimeters, with a deviation from the norm, one can conclude about hypertrophy;
QRS- up to 0.1 s, with a deviation from the norm, we can talk about the development of a disease called myocardium;
QT- the norm is up to 0.5, an increased indicator is evidence of a heart rhythm disorder in the fetus.

In addition to all this, there is a description of the heart rhythm.

Everything looks like this:

Sinus rhythm- in the decoding of the analysis, the inscription is often found. In pregnant women, the rate is normal up to 160. This indicates that the heart muscle is healthy.
Bradycardia- reduction of contractions. If a pregnant woman has a pause of up to 4 seconds between contractions, fainting may occur. Surgery may be performed to restore the rhythm of the heart.
Tachycardia. It is possible to diagnose in pregnant women when the indicator is more than 165.
Paroxysm- attack. Duration from several minutes to several days.

Additional testing is required to make an accurate diagnosis.

Fetal ECG - features

When asked whether it is possible to conduct an ECG during pregnancy, everyone unanimously gives a positive answer. The procedure is safe for the child. Sensors are attached to the woman's stomach, they will record the baby's heartbeat, as well as the number of uterine contractions. It is recommended to conduct a study in the morning or after seven in the evening.

Interesting! To increase the activity of the baby a few hours before the procedure, it is recommended to eat a small amount of chocolate.

Breathing activity and full rest cycles in a child are formed by the 29th week, which is why this is the time when the procedure is performed. If violations are detected, treatment is prescribed, the ECG is repeated after ten days. If fetal hypoxia has been detected, the procedure is performed once a day.

The results of the analyzes are reflected in a 10-point system, it looks like this:

5 points - hospitalization is necessary;
6-7 points - an additional examination is necessary to identify the cause of the deviation;
8-10 points - the child is healthy, nothing threatens development.

In this case, the attending physician is also involved in decoding the analyzes.

Contraindications

ECG is one of the few studies that do not have contraindications to conduct. Moreover, during the period of gestation, doctors strongly recommend performing the procedure, because this is the only way to understand if there are any deviations.

You can carry out the procedure up to several times a day, harm to the body and the child will not be caused.

Thus, we can conclude that an ECG during pregnancy is not only not prohibited, but also useful. You need to be responsible for your health and the health of the unborn child, because this is the only way to avoid the appearance of many complications.

Frequently asked questions to the doctor

ECG complications

Can there be any complications after an ECG?

There is no health risk at the time of ECG recording. The only thing that a woman can feel is a slight burning sensation when the electrodes are removed from the skin. In people with sensitive skin, traces of irritation may remain, but everything goes away on its own without any treatment.

Article publication date: 04/07/2017

Article last updated: 12/18/2018

From this article you will learn: why and when an ECG is done during pregnancy, what disorders can be detected using this test, how this examination is carried out.

Electrocardiography (ECG, cardiogram) is a test that can be used to detect problems with the electrical activity of the heart.

For a pregnant woman, electrocardiography is performed to assess the work of the heart in conditions of increasing stress on the body.

During pregnancy, an ECG is recorded for:

checking the electrical activity of the heart;
search for the causes of symptoms of cardiovascular disease in pregnant women;
checking the condition of the heart if the expectant mother has other diseases and complications of pregnancy.

For the entire period of bearing a child, every pregnant woman undergoes this test at least once. It is mandatory to record an ECG in the third trimester. This is a completely safe examination that has no contraindications. A pregnant woman who has any diseases that affect the cardiovascular system needs to undergo this test several times during the entire period of bearing a child - at least in each trimester, and more often if necessary.

Interpretation of the results of examinations in pregnant women is carried out by therapists and cardiologists.

Cardiovascular changes affecting the ECG in pregnancy

Pregnancy is stressful for the heart and circulatory system. During the bearing of a child, the volume of blood in the vascular bed increases by 30-50%, this provides nutrients for the growing baby. The amount of blood pumped by the heart every minute also increases by 30-50%. In addition, the heart rate increases. All these changes make the heart work harder.

Pregnancy also affects the size of the heart and its position in the chest. The enlarged uterus presses on the diaphragm, which shifts upward and changes the position of the heart. Its size increases during pregnancy by about 12%.

These changes in the size and position of the heart, its harder work, can lead to the characteristic appearance of an ECG during pregnancy.

Preparation for the removal of the cardiogram

In order for the test to pass as quickly and efficiently as possible, the following tips may be useful:

Tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, as many of them can affect the test results.
It is better to wear clothes that are easy to remove or unfasten at the chest.
On the day before the test, no creams should be applied to the skin, as they affect the electrical conductivity.
Remove all jewelry from the neck and hands in advance.
Ask your doctor any questions you have about this test, its risks, and results.

No special preparation for recording an ECG is needed. Immediately before the test, physical activity should be avoided and cold water should not be drunk.

How is the examination carried out?

Usually, an ECG during pregnancy is carried out in a medical institution - a clinic, an outpatient clinic, a hospital. Because the ECG recorder itself is portable, this test can be performed almost anywhere.

During the examination:

You will have to lie down on a couch or bed, and expose your chest, forearms, and lower legs.
A medical worker applies a special gel to the skin of these areas, which reduces electrical resistance.
Electrodes are attached to the skin of the arms, legs, and chest, which are connected to a machine that records the electrical activity of the heart on paper.
During the test, you need to lie still and breathe normally. Sometimes a healthcare professional may ask you to take a deep breath and hold your breath. You cannot speak during the examination.
You need to relax and not tremble, as any movement can affect the result.
After the end of the recording, the electrodes are removed from the skin, the gel is wiped off.

The duration of an ECG recording rarely exceeds 10 minutes. After that, the electrodes are removed from the skin.

ECG risks

When recording a cardiogram, there are practically no complications and health risks. A woman may feel some discomfort when removing the electrodes from the skin.

Some people may experience irritation and a skin rash where the electrodes are attached to the skin, which resolves without any treatment.

Diseases that can be detected with an ECG

Registration of an ECG during pregnancy helps to diagnose many heart diseases in expectant mothers. With this test, doctors can detect:

fast or slow heartbeat;
heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias);
violations of the passage of electrical impulses in the heart (blockade);
an increase in the size of the heart and thickening of its walls (hypertrophy);
the cause of symptoms of heart disease (eg, shortness of breath, pain in the heart, dizziness, fainting);
signs of congenital heart defects in a pregnant woman;
signs of electrolyte disturbances (increase or decrease in the levels of potassium, magnesium, calcium in the blood).

Processing of ECG results

Interpretation of a cardiogram record requires a fairly large amount of experience from the doctor. The results of the survey will be known on the day of its conduct, usually decoding takes no more than 10-15 minutes.

The doctor in his conclusion indicates the nature of the heart rhythm, heart rate, electrical axis of the heart (characteristic of the position of the heart), describes the existing disturbances in electrical conduction (if any). Establishing a diagnosis is not carried out only on the basis of a cardiogram; symptoms and signs of the disease are also taken into account.

Features of the cardiogram in pregnant women

Changes in the cardiovascular system, characteristic of pregnancy, change the nature of the cardiogram, especially in the later stages.

For the ECG of pregnant women is characteristic:

Increase in heart rate.
Displacement of the electrical axis to the left.
Shortening of the PR interval.
Negative T wave in leads III, V
Pathological Q wave in leads III, aVF.

It should be remembered that all these characteristic features of the ECG during pregnancy are not observed in all women.

ECG Limitations

Like many diagnostic methods, ECG has certain disadvantages and limitations:

This is a static method and may not reflect existing heart problems if they are not symptomatic at the time of recording.
Many pathological changes on the cardiogram can be nonspecific, that is, they can be observed in various diseases. To clarify the diagnosis in such cases, additional examinations are carried out.
In some heart diseases, the cardiogram may be completely normal.