Why Is the Fetal Heart Rate Too Fast at 37 Weeks? What Should I Do?

Update Date: 2024-06-19 Source: Network

When pregnancy reaches 37 weeks, it belongs to the late stage of pregnancy. At this time, the fetal movements will be more obvious. To ensure the health of the fetus and the pregnant woman, the pregnant woman should regularly go to the hospital for examination and perform fetal heart monitoring. If the fetal heart rate shows excessive beating, attention should be paid. If the fetus is stimulated or experiences oxygen deficiency, it may lead to excessive fetal heart rate.

Part 1: What causes excessive fetal heart rate at 37 weeks?

1. Situation 1: Excessive fetal heart rate can be caused by stimulation or oxygen deficiency in the fetus. It is recommended to reduce stimulation to the lower abdomen and uterus, and also to go to the hospital for oxygen inhalation to prevent fetal oxygen deficiency. The normal fetal heart rate is between 120 and 160 beats per minute, regular and powerful. It is recommended to use ultrasound Doppler to monitor the fetal heart rate. If the fetal heart rate persists to be excessively fast or irregular or too light, immediate hospital treatment is required.

2. Situation 2: Changes in fetal heart rate: Fetal heart rate is an important indicator of fetal well-being. A fetal heart rate greater than 160 beats per minute, especially greater than 180 beats per minute, is an early sign of fetal oxygen deficiency (when the pregnant woman's heart rate is not fast). A fetal heart rate of 100 beats per minute indicates fetal distress. Late deceleration, variable deceleration, or lack of baseline variability in the fetal heart rate all indicate fetal distress. Detailed examination of the causes is needed when the fetal heart rate is abnormal. The change in fetal heart rate cannot be determined solely based on one auscultation, and multiple examinations with changes in position to the lateral position and continued monitoring for several minutes are required.

Part 2: What to do when the fetal heart rate is too fast at 37 weeks?

Situation 1: In cases of intrauterine distress, most fetuses have already experienced oxygen deficiency. If not resolved promptly, the consequences can be severe. The normal fetal heart rate is approximately 120-160 beats per minute. If it is below 120 beats per minute or above 160 beats per minute, it indicates that the fetus is experiencing adverse conditions in the uterus and attention should be paid.

Situation 2: Although intrauterine oxygen deficiency is the main cause of excessive fetal heart rate, there are also other factors that can contribute to it. If the mother has certain diseases, such as hyperthyroidism, which naturally causes a fast heartbeat, the fetal heart rate may also increase. Additionally, certain medications taken by the mother during a certain stage of pregnancy can also lead to excessive fetal heart rate. These factors need to be distinguished and addressed accordingly.

Situation 3: In cases of abnormal fetal heart rate, it is necessary to first identify the underlying cause and then take targeted measures. If the abnormality is due to the mother's illness, consultation with the attending doctor and following their advice is recommended. If the abnormality is caused by certain medications, discontinuation of the medication may lead to improvement. If the abnormality is due to intrauterine oxygen deficiency, the mother should go to the hospital for oxygen inhalation, but it is important to note that the duration of oxygen inhalation should not exceed 30 minutes per session.