How old is the fetus when it has a heartbeat and how to detect it

A week after fertilization, the embryo secretes hormones to help it develop normally and regularly. At this time, the mother will ask at what age the fetus should have a heartbeat. The fetus develops very quickly in the first few weeks, forming organs and a complete human body in a short time, but in how many weeks does the baby's heart start beating? At what age does a fetus have a heartbeat and how is it detected? Let us find out through the following.

Before the baby is born, fetal heartbeat is the only bridge between the baby and the outside world, and is an important indicator of fetal health. So, how big does the fetus have to be to have a fetal heartbeat? What are the methods for monitoring the fetal heartbeat? ?

Tags: Fetal development, Fetal heart rate, Fetal heart rate

The fetal heart rate is the sound of the fetus' heart beating in the uterus. The tone is crisp and the rhythm is regular. By listening to the fetal heart rate, you can understand the health of the fetus. Before the baby is born, fetal heartbeat is the only bridge between the baby and the outside world, and is an important indicator of fetal health. So, how old does the fetus have to be to have a heartbeat? Generally, around 7 weeks of pregnancy, the fetal heartbeat can be seen with a B-ultrasound device; around 12 weeks of pregnancy, a Doppler fetal heart rate monitor can detect the fetal heartbeat.

The normal fetal heart rate is 120-160 beats per minute, and it should sound regular and seamless. If it is just right, the fetal heart rate will slightly increase when the fetus moves. If the fetal heart beats more than 160 times per minute, or less than 120 times per minute, or the heartbeat is irregular, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, sometimes stopping, with gaps in between, etc., it is abnormal. Prospective parents must learn to measure the fetal heart rate themselves so as to detect abnormalities in the baby in time.

Fetal heart rate monitoring method

Starting time: The fetal heart is formed at the 8th week of pregnancy, and B-ultrasound can detect the fetal heart beat. At the 20th week of pregnancy, the fetal heartbeat can be clearly heard from the pregnant woman's abdomen using a stethoscope, and the frequency and strength of the fetal heartbeat can be determined, thereby understanding the growth and development of the fetus in the uterus.

Normal fetal heart rate: The normal fetal heart rate is 120-160 beats/minute, with a regular rhythm and moderate strength, like the "ticking" sound of a clock. The fetal heart rate may increase by 10 to 20 beats per minute when the fetus moves. If the heart rate is continuously higher than 160 times/minute or lower than 110 times/minute, it is abnormal.

Abnormal fetal heart rate: Initially, the fetal heart rate will increase significantly, exceeding 160 beats/minute, but the heart sounds will weaken. If the cause of the disease is not eliminated in time, the fetal heart rate will slow down, below 110/min, the heart sounds will become weaker or even disappear - the fetus will die.

How old should the fetus be to have a heartbeat and how is it detected? After reading the above, I believe you already know the answer. You still need to pay more attention during pregnancy, avoid strenuous exercise, pay attention to your diet, and go to the hospital for physical examinations more often to see if the baby is developing healthily. Generally, you can hear the heartbeat after the mother is 12 weeks pregnant.