Fitbit is a highly effective tool that promotes wellness as it tells the user of what is going on inside their bodies. But aside from monitoring heart rate, and caloric intake, one fitbit managed to serve as an unusual pregnancy test.
When it detected an irregularity in his wife’s heart rate, Reddit user YoungPTone took the site to post a question.
The confused man only wanted answers regarding his wife’s faulty Fitbit but little did he know that he was in for a pleasant surprise.
“My wife’s fitbit is showing her heartbeat being consistently high over the last few days. Two days ago, a somewhat normal day, she logged 10 hours in the fat burning zone, which i would think to be impossible based on her activity level. Also her calories burned do seem accurate. I would imagine if she was in the fat burning zone she would burn a ton of calories, so its not lining up. I’m not sure if something is wrong with the sensor. Is there a way to reset or recalibrate the device? I’d like to try that before I contact customer service about a possible replacement.”
Hundreds of comments started pouring in but one of them stood out: “Has she experienced anything really stressful in the last few days or is it a possibility she is pregnant?”
Then that’s when the reddit user realized that it was indeed a strong possibility. “I didn’t know that would jack up the heart rate,” he responded to the comment. “I might be a dad, YIKES. Now I gotta watch my own heart rate.”
He came back to the community board the next day to confirm that he was going to be a dad! “I just wanted to say this is indeed real,” he wrote in a recent update. “This is real, the fear is real, the excitement is very real! I am a regular guy who was just looking for the communities [sic] help with his wife’s technology issue (we’ve all been there, right?). Little did i know I got a lot more than I bargained for! Now I’m a regular guy who is preparing to have his first child brought into the world, god willing, in Oct 2016.”
On the next page, learn more about normal heart rate changes during pregnancy
Heart rate changes during pregnancy
When a woman is pregnant, she goes through many bodily changes; this includes an elevation of her heart rate. Though this is generally normal and provides many benefits such as to facilitate fetal growth and development, an elevated heart rate could also be indicative of an underlying problem.
According to livestrong.com, it’s best to see your doctor if you experience a sudden rapid heart rate, light headedness, or shortness of breath.
First Trimester: During this time, the heart rate of a mum-to-be at rest will elevate by about 15 to 20 beats per minute. The normal heart rate is about 60 to 100.
In a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy, your resting heart rate will elevate by 15 to 20 beats per minute. As is the case with all of the major organ systems, cardiovascular changes that take place during pregnancy are believed to be triggered by hormonal signals, primarily increases in progesterone and estrogen, which alert the body to the presence of a fetus. Heart rate changes may begin in the first trimester of pregnancy.
READ: We’re pregnant! 9 fun and creative pregnancy announcements ideas
Second Timester: By the 4th month of pregnancy, the quantity of blood the heart pumps increases by about 30 to 50%. This increase causes a spike in the resting heart rate. Even so, there is also a relaxation of the heart muscle and an increased circulation of blood all over the body.
During this time, also, previously undetected heart problems can begin to surface.
Third Trimester: At about 40 weeks into the pregnancy, the circulating blood volume of a pregnant woman increases to up to about 40 to 90% prior to their pregnancy.
During this period of pregnancy, the demands for oxygen and nutrients for the mother an baby increase along with the heart rate and blood supply.
Once labor begins, heart rate is expected to spike as a normal response to contraction and pain. But even so,
When should you worry?
As previously mentioned, the second trimester can be when dormant heart problems tend to arise. This is stimulated due to the increased demands of the heart to pump the large amount of circulating blood in the body.
It’s best to seek medical attention for a palpitations, or racing, skipping pulse that is pounding in nature as well as shortness of breath even when once is at rest. Fainting spells, and a persistent cough may also be cause for concern.
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