Evolution through gestationĪlthough the myocardium begins to contract rhythmically by 3 weeks after conception (from spontaneously depolarizing myocardial pacemaker cells in the embryonic heart) it is first visible on sonography around 6 weeks of gestation. It is measurable sonographically from around 6 weeks and the normal range varies during gestation, increasing to around 170 bpm at 10 weeks and decreasing from then to around 130 bpm at term. Call them on 01789 867501 or visit their website at normal fetal heart rate (FHR) usually ranges from 120 to 160 beats per minute (bpm) in the in utero period. Heart Rhythm Alliance – a national charity for the support of patients with heart rhythm problems. Call their free helpline on 08 (Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm) or visit their website at British Heart Foundation (BHF) is a national charity providing information and support to anyone of any age affected by heart problems. Call their helpline on 03 or visit their website. Call them on 020 7631 0285 or visit their website at Children’s Heart Federation (CHF) is a national charity and the umbrella body for voluntary organisations working to meet the needs of children and young people with congenital and acquired heart conditions and their families. ![]() Call them on 0330 022 44 66 or visit their website at Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC) is a registered charity that offers continued support and advice to parents who face difficult decisions regarding fetal abnormalities. Can I be monitored at my local hospital?īefore birth, please call the Fetal Cardiac Nurse Specialists on 020 7762 6711 or send them an email to birth, you can call the Electrophysiology team on 020 7405 9200 extension 5298 or send an email to Families is a support group for anyone affected by a child’s heart problem. We may need to reassess treatment if medication is not effective in reducing your baby’s heart rate.Įach case may differ slightly and the consultants will talk to you about management of your baby’s fast heart rate during your appointments at GOSH. There are rare occasions where, despite medication, it may not be possible to reduce the fast heart rate and it may remain high for the rest of the pregnancy. The type of treatment selected depends on a number of factors including the type of the tachycardia, how many weeks pregnant you are, and if there are signs of hydrops. Occasionally, we may have to try more than one medication before we are able to reduce the baby’s tachycardia. We may need to take blood samples from you to check the levels of the medication in your body to make sure that they are within the correct range. However, we will monitor you and your baby’s heart rate regularly when you first start taking it. The aim of treatment is to control the rhythm of the baby’s heart, which in most cases allows a normal birth at term (after 37 weeks). Usually treatment is given as an outpatient and does not need a stay in hospital. Some medications can take two to three weeks before they are effective in reducing a baby’s heart rate. Some stickers will be applied to the chest to check your heart rhythm and that it is safe to give you the medication. We perform a simple test on the mother’s heart called an electrocardiogram (ECG) before prescribing the medication. In most cases we can reduce the fast heart rate by giving medication to the mother, which passes through the placenta to the baby. ![]() How does the fast heart rate affect my baby? Other rhythm disturbances may occur but are much rarer. In others, the atria beat exceedingly fast (over 300 beats per minute), much faster than the ventricles (atrial flutter). In some fetuses, the atria and ventricles are both beating fast but at the same rate (supraventricular tachycardia). It is the top two chambers of the heart (atria) that set the pace of the heart, and normally the ventricles only respond to electrical impulses from the atria. The ventricles are the pumping chambers of the heart. ![]() The heart is made up of four chambers – two at the top called atria and two at the bottom called ventricles. Typically, an abnormally fast heart rate is over 200 beats per minute. The normal fetal heart rate is between 120 and 160 beats per minute. It will support the information discussed with you by your doctor and nurse at your appointment and it is important to remember that every case is slightly different.Tachycardia is an abnormally fast heart rate. This information sheet from Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) explains about fetal tachycardia detected during a prenatal ultrasound scan and what this might mean for your child. Prenatal ultrasound showing fetal tachycardia.Coronavirus (COVID-19) – information for children, young people and familiesĬoming to GOSH for a day or inpatient admissionĬoming to GOSH for an outpatient appointment
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