How long does it take for the fetal heart rate to appear?

Fetal heart rate refers to the heartbeat of the fetus. During pregnancy, only when the fetus has a heartbeat does it mean that the pregnancy is normal and that the baby is developing well. Generally, the fetal heartbeat appears after seven to eight weeks of pregnancy, which is about two months of pregnancy, and the pregnant woman can hear the fetal heartbeat after ten weeks of pregnancy. Recording the fetal heart rate in a timely manner is of great significance in determining whether the fetus is growing healthily!

When does the fetal heartbeat appear during pregnancy?

The fetal heart rate is the heartbeat of the fetus. Under normal circumstances, the fetal heartbeat can be seen under vaginal or abdominal ultrasound at 5-6 weeks of pregnancy. After 7-8 weeks of pregnancy, an obvious fetal heartbeat can be seen by B-ultrasound. At this time, M-ultrasound can be used to measure the heart rate and observe the heart rhythm. The heart size is about 2mm. If the B-ultrasound image clearly shows the embryo but there is no fetal heartbeat, it often indicates fetal death and inevitable miscarriage. However, if the B-ultrasound examination is performed too early, the embryo and fetal heartbeat cannot be seen and it cannot be determined to be abnormal. If a highly sensitive Doppler instrument is used, the fetal heartbeat can be heard 10 to 12 weeks in advance.

How long does it take to hear a heartbeat during pregnancy?

The fetus may have a heartbeat as early as 10 weeks of pregnancy. So, can you hear the fetal heartbeat with a stethoscope? Yes, but due to the working principle of the stethoscope, it cannot amplify the fetal heartbeat. Therefore, if the fetus is too young, the heartbeat is not obvious and difficult to hear with a stethoscope. Generally, the fetal heart rate can be measured with a Doppler fetal heart monitor around 10-12 weeks of pregnancy, but it is not easy to hear the fetal heart rate with an ordinary stethoscope at this time. The fetal heart rate can only be heard with a stethoscope after 18-20 weeks of pregnancy.

It should be noted that it is difficult for ordinary people to hear the fetal heartbeat with a stethoscope, but pregnant women can try to use a stethoscope to listen to the fetal heartbeat under the guidance of a doctor. Before 24 weeks of pregnancy, the fetal heart rate is mostly below the navel. After 24 weeks of pregnancy, as the fetus grows, the position of the fetal heart will move up.

Since fetal movement usually involves the movement of the fetus's hands and feet, when you feel frequent fetal movements on the right side, the fetal heart rate is generally on the left side; when you feel frequent fetal movements on the left side, the fetal heart rate is generally on the right side. Head and breech presentation can also affect the location of the fetal heart. In the head position, the fetal heart rate is below the navel; in the breech position, the fetal heart rate is above the navel. Pregnant women can use a stethoscope to listen to their stomach to see where they can hear the fetal heartbeat.

Why record fetal heart rate?

Fetal heartbeats are important evidence of fetal survival and the best reflection of the fetal safety. Doctors can understand the condition of the fetus in the uterus by listening to the fetal heartbeats. If there is a problem with the placental function, causing the fetus to suffer from chronic hypoxia, it can survive normally when there are no uterine contractions, but when there are uterine contractions, the fetal hypoxia condition worsens, and the fetus can no longer adapt to this state of hypoxia. It will manifest as the fetal heart rate not returning to normal for a long time after the uterine contractions stop, or the fetal heart rate is too fast to exceed 160 beats/minute, too slow to be less than 120 beats/minute, or the fetal heart rate turns from strong to weak, or the rhythm is irregular, with uneven speed. The above conditions indicate that the fetus suffers from intrauterine hypoxia, which may cause fetal death if not treated.