Baby’s Heartbeat: What You Need to Know

Can’t wait to hear the heartbeat of your baby for the very first time? While you’re waiting for this thrilling and emotional moment, your baby’s heart is undergoing incredible changes.

Here’s all you need to know about your baby’s heart and heartbeat to better handle this phase of pregnancy.

When does your baby develop a heartbeat?

By Week 5 of pregnancy, your baby’s heart tube will start beating on its own. At this stage, the fetal pole could be seen as well, which is the first visible sign of a developing embryo. 

When can you hear your baby’s heartbeat?

You could hear the heartbeat of your baby for the first time during an ultrasound scan around Week 10 of pregnancy, give or take a few weeks. 

Early ultrasound scan to detect your baby’s heartbeat

While it is too early to detect a fetal heartbeat as soon as it starts, your doctor may suggest a vaginal ultrasound scan as early as 5½-6 weeks after conception in case you have:

• A pre-existing medical condition

• Had a miscarriage

• Had trouble carrying a baby in the past

First-trimester ultrasound scan to confirm your baby’s heartbeat

The heartbeat of your baby is usually confirmed during your first first-trimester ultrasound scan. This scan could be scheduled between Week 7½ and Week 8 of pregnancy, or as late as weeks 11-14. It aims to ascertain that your pregnancy is healthy and progressing well.

During this abdominal or vaginal scan, the Doctor will:

• Check if the pregnancy is non-viable, such as an ectopic pregnancy 

• Confirm that the pregnancy is viable and healthy

• Validate the heartbeat of your baby

• Determine your expected due date

• Identify if you’re carrying a singleton baby or multiple babies

• Assess for any gestational abnormalities 

If you’re not able to listen to your baby’s heartbeat during this time, your doctor may schedule you for another scan 1-2 weeks later. 

Why can’t you hear your baby’s heartbeat at your first ultrasound?

You may not be able to hear the heartbeat of your baby at your first ultrasound scan, but it does not necessarily indicate that there is a problem. This usually happens because the ultrasound has been performed too early in the pregnancy. 

Your doctor may schedule you for another ultrasound in the next 1-2 weeks. Besides, monitoring the heartbeat of your baby will become a part of your regular prenatal checkups, and you’re likely to hear your baby’s heartbeat for the first time in one of those sessions.

Other factors that determine how soon you’ll be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat are as follows:

• Your baby's size and his/her uterine position

• A tipped or tilted uterus

• A large abdomen

• Excess weight

• Your placenta’s position

• Your expected due date’s accuracy 

Note: In case no heartbeat is detected, your doctor will measure the fetus’ crown-rump length and determine if further investigation is needed.

What is the normal heart rate of a baby?

The following heart rates are considered normal for a baby:

Note: The heartbeat of your baby could vary throughout your pregnancy, from one prenatal checkup to the next, and during labor.

If you have any worries about your baby’s heart rate, consult a Doctor.

What devices are used to hear the heartbeat of your baby?

Your Doctor or ultrasound technician could use the following devices to check the heartbeat of your baby: 

• Transvaginal ultrasound: This is used when the scan is done early in the pregnancy. It helps to capture the embryo’s clear image. 

• 2D, 3D, or 4D abdominal ultrasound: This is used during routine prenatal checkups, and enables the Doctor to check the vital stats of your fetus and organs in detail.

• Fetal Doppler: This is a hand-held ultrasound device that, like other ultrasound machines, uses soundwaves to monitor the fetal heartbeat.

• Stethoscope: This can be used to hear the heartbeat of your baby around Week 20 of pregnancy after the heartbeat has been detected by ultrasound.

Can you hear your baby’s heartbeat without a device?

Not being able to hear the fetal heartbeat with your ears is not a cause for concern. While listening to the heartbeat of your baby this way is near impossible, it could happen if you’re in a quiet environment during your second or third trimester. 

If you are worried about your baby’s heartbeat for any reason, it is best to consult your Doctor, who could schedule a sonogram to help put your mind at ease.

Can you use at-home devices and apps to hear your baby’s heartbeat?

Several at-home devices and apps are available to hear the fetal heartbeat at home. However, since their quality varies considerably, you may get inaccurate heart rate readings, causing you needless angst and panic.

So, consult your doctor beforehand to determine how safe such a device or app is for use during pregnancy. 

What would the heartbeat of your baby sound like?

The heartbeat of a baby sounds similar to that of a galloping horse or a running train. Listening to your baby’s heartbeat for the first time can be an exciting and emotional experience.

How does your baby’s heart change throughout pregnancy?

Here’s how your baby’s heart changes rapidly from Week 5 of pregnancy, when it first starts beating, to Week 10, when it is fully developed:

Tips to enable the proper development of your baby’s heart

In the first trimester, your baby’s heart is undergoing rapid growth and development. To help ensure that your baby’s heart matures normally:

• Take prenatal vitamins throughout your pregnancy

• Quit smoking or vaping, if you haven’t already

• Avoid alcohol

• Avoid recreational drugs

• Take medication after consulting your Doctor

• Manage any chronic health conditions well

• Inform your doctor if you have a family history of congenital heart problems

To learn about other dos and don’ts that could help you during your pregnancy, read this.

When to See a Doctor 

If you are worried about the heartbeat of your baby, consult your doctor at the earliest. 

At every prenatal appointment, your doctor monitors your baby’s heartbeat to ensure that his/her heart is developing normally. 

Your doctor may schedule a fetal echocardiogram in case the heartbeat of your baby is: 

• Too slow

• Too fast

• Irregular

The above may be a sign of a heart condition. 

Your prenatal team can keep a close watch on your baby’s heartbeat throughout your gestation, labor, and delivery.

If you have any more questions or concerns about fetal heartbeat or prenatal development, you can ask our Doctors for advice.