Maternal heart rate during the first 48h postpartum: a retrospective cross sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
1) Describe the distribution of heart rate in the first 48h postpartum in women with no evidence of sepsis, anaemia or haemorrhage. 2) Investigate the relationship between postpartum heart rate and other maternal factors.


METHODS
A retrospective cross-sectional study of postpartum women who delivered between July 2012 and June 2015 in a tertiary hospital. Data was analysed from the local maternity system and electronic vital signs database. The main outcome measures: Heart rate at 6, 12, 24 and 48h postpartum.


RESULTS
Data were obtained on 11401 women. After exclusion of women with possible sepsis, anaemia or haemorrhage, 7627 heart rate readings from 5164 women were analysed. Mean heart rate (+2SD/+3SD) at 6h was 83.6 (108.2/120.6), 12h 84.5 (109.4/121.9), 24h 85.4 (110.4/122.9), and 48h 84.3 (109.7/122.4). There was statistical correlation of post partum heart rate with body mass index (BMI), age and discharge haemoglobin.


CONCLUSIONS
This study describes the distribution of maternal heart rate in the early postpartum period, in women with no evidence of sepsis, anaemia or major haemorrhage. This will facilitate identification and appropriate investigation of women with abnormal heart rates. Although correlation with BMI, age and discharge haemoglobin was demonstrated, the differences were small and not clinically meaningful. Further work investigating the relationship between postpartum heart rate and poor maternal outcomes is required.
University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom. Electronic address: jacksamways1991@googlemail.com.
Jack W
JW
Samways
St. Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, United Kingdom.
Sarah
S
Vause
Centre for Primary Care, Institute of Population Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom.
Evangelos
E
Kontopantelis
Manchester Royal Infirmary, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, United Kingdom.
Jane
J
Eddleston
Old School of Physiotherapy Annexe, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, United Kingdom.
Sarah
S
Ingleby
St. Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, United Kingdom.
Anna
A
Roberts
Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, United Kingdom; Manchester Heart Centre, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, United Kingdom.
Bernard
B
Clarke
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
Heart rate; Postpartum; Tachycardia