Expert: Lawrence Jay Rappaport <B>M.D.</B> - 10/13/2005
Question age 33 2 children lmp july 21
I am currently pregnant with my 3rd child. Every time I have my csection my heartrate goes up to about 175 about 5 minutes after I am administered the spinal. It stays at this rate for about 5-7 minutes before turning to normal. I am going to have a 3rd csection and have a few questions. Is it normal for the heart to go so fast during this procedure? Is it dangerous for me or the baby? What could cause this? I am really worried because nobody seems to have an answer for me. I also had palpatations during both pregnancy (mild) especially after taking any type of medication.Seen a cardiologist postpartum and he found nothing. Could there be a link between pregnancy meds and heartrate? Ex. they gave me lidocaine before the surgery to ease the pain from the IV and my heartrate went up for about 5 minutes but not as high?
Thanks deannav
Answer If you have an episode of tachycardia immediately following the administration of a spinal anesthesia, you probably have some reaction to the medication given through the spinal catheter. You will have to consult an anesethesiologist to try to determine why. If the baby's heartrate is not affected, there is no problem. Howeer, if your heartrate increases and you have a history of palpatations, I would investigate. An anesthesilogy consult is your best bet.
