2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21
It is important throughout pregnancy to monitor not only the well-being of the mother, but also the baby. The most significant thing in the development of the fetus is the correct functioning of the heart, the vital activity of the baby depends on the heartbeat. The work of a small heart is closely monitored, since the slightest deviation can cause developmental disorders. So what week does the fetal heartbeat appear and from how many weeks can you listen to it?
How does the heart develop?
The process of heart development is quite complex and also very long. The first formation begins to appear on the 4th week of pregnancy, and already on the 5th its pulsation is slightly audible. By the end of pregnancy, the tiny heart already consists of four chambers, but, despite this, it differs significantly from the organ of adults.
At this stage of modern life, the baby's heartbeat can be heard using different devices. The first thing that interests you is how many weeks the fetal heartbeat appears and howlisten to him? For example, in the early stages, you can determine heartbeats with a vaginal ultrasound sensor, and only later - with an abdominal one.
Normal fetal heart rate (HR)
To determine the rate of heart rate per minute, it is necessary to take into account the gestational age, since the number of strokes differs every week - this is normal.
At what time does the fetal heartbeat appear:
- at 6-8 weeks the heart beats per minute is 110-130 beats;
- at 8-11 weeks the maximum heart rate is 190 beats per minute;
- after 11 weeks contractions reach 140-160 beats per minute.
When listening, the condition of the pregnant woman, the time of the procedure and the activity of the baby himself are taken into account.
Methods of listening to the heartbeat
Many are interested in what week the fetal heartbeat appears. There are many ways to hear the heart beat.
The most common and accurate are:
- Ultrasound. Experts advise every pregnant woman to undergo an ultrasound examination both when registering and for further monitoring of fetal development. At the present time, with the help of ultrasound, you can not only examine in detail the development of the baby in the womb, but also hear the work of the heart. This method helps to study the condition of the placenta and the fetus as a whole, and also with its help you can see all the deviations (if any) and begin to eliminate them in a timely manner. WhenIs there a fetal heartbeat on ultrasound? It can be heard from the sixth week.
- Auscultation. The study is carried out by a specialist with a special medical device - a stethoscope, this method is used only after the 18th week of pregnancy at each examination by a gynecologist.
- Cardiotocography. This technique is very effective, it allows you to study in detail the baby's heartbeat, as well as to establish deviations even in the early stages of gestation. Basically, this method is used after 32 weeks or before childbirth.
- Echocardiography. This method is used when there is a suspicion of a heart defect in the fetus. It is used at 18-28 weeks of pregnancy.
Timely examination helps to avoid abnormal development, as well as to establish all heart rate deviations and immediately begin their treatment.
How to hear your baby's heartbeat on your own
In addition to medical control, the expectant mother can independently check the baby's heartbeat. Such methods will help to be confident in the development of the fetus and in case of any concern, seek help. At what week does the fetal heartbeat appear, which can be heard using different devices:
- Stethoscope. This medical device can be purchased at a pharmacy, it is inexpensive. To detect the baby's heart rate, the expectant mother will need an assistant. The only drawback of this method is that the baby's heartbeat can be heard no earlier than the 25th week of pregnancy. Also very often women perceive soundsfetal movement for heartbeat.
- Fetal doppler. This is a special device designed to control heart contractions. He has headphones, with their help, listening becomes a convenient and easy process. This device is expensive, but it allows you to determine the heartbeat at 8-10 weeks. Experts warn: you can’t often use such instruments so as not to harm the baby’s he alth, you also need to listen to the heart with such a device for no more than 10 minutes.
- Applying the ear. The method is quite simple and effective (if the fat layer is not too large). Starting at 30 weeks, the baby's heartbeat can be heard by putting the ear to the stomach, focusing on the location of the heart.
How is the control?
Controlling your baby's heartbeat is very important from the start of pregnancy to delivery. This will allow the baby to be born he althy, without any abnormalities.
The heart of an unborn child develops for a very long time, it has a complex structure compared to other organs. The organ is formed starting from the 4th week, during this period a hollow tube is formed, on which the first contractions are observed on the 5th week. And already on the 9th, the structure of a tiny heart resembles an adult. In a baby in the womb, the heart is very different from a normal organ - it has an opening between the right and left atria, as well as between the arterial flow. This structure helps to supply oxygen to all organs of the baby.
The viability of the fetus is looked at by the heartbeat. If the beats per minute are less than 86-100 ormore than 200 is a cause for concern. If the embryo grows up to 8 mm and the heart is not audible, then this indicates the fading of the fetus. It is important during pregnancy to be registered and regularly undergo a scheduled examination by a gynecologist.
Determination of the norm and deviation of heart rate in the fetus
At the initial stages of the study of heart rate is carried out only with the help of an ultrasound machine. In the first trimester, this parameter remains unchanged. Already after the specified period, the frequency of contractions begins to increase. By the 8th week, the heart rate should reach 130 beats per minute and not exceed this figure. At the 9-10th week, the contraction per minute reaches 180-190 beats, and already from the 11th week until the very appearance of the baby - 140-160 beats per minute.
In the later stages, the heart rate indicator will depend on the activity of the child in the womb, as well as on the loads of the mother herself, illnesses, temperature changes (strong cold or heat). If the fetus has a lack of oxygen, then its heart rate increases to 160 beats, and after gas saturation, on the contrary, drops to 120 beats per minute.
With the correct formation of the heart in the fetus, its tones are rhythmic and well heard. With improper intrauterine development, arrhythmia or hypoxia is observed, it also indicates a congenital malformation of the organ.
If the heart is hard to hear
Many women know what week the fetal heartbeat occurs. But there aresituations when the heartbeat is heard poorly, this happens due to the location of the placenta on the anterior wall of the uterus. It is also problematic to listen to the heart rate with oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios, multiple pregnancies, obesity, increased activity of the child.
In the second and third trimesters, the purpose of an ultrasound examination is not so much to evaluate the work of the heart as to determine the location of the organ. In the case when it is necessary to examine the heart in detail, echocardiography and cardiotocography are performed - with the help of these studies, you can control the baby's heartbeat.
Diseases in violation of heart rate
Often, when the heart rate deviates, such diseases appear:
- Tachycardia - appears in the fetus due to improper development or through the fault of the mother. A specialist with the help of medical equipment can determine the disease.
- Bradycardia - appears due to a low fetal heart rate.
Timely diagnosis of diseases will help start quick and necessary treatment, so it is very important not to forget to undergo examinations and visit a gynecologist.
Recommended:
Increased hemoglobin in a newborn: causes, norms and deviations, possible consequences
A blood test in a newborn is given in order to exclude pathology. Elevated hemoglobin in a newborn child introduces the mother into a state of anxiety. This condition is the norm for a small person. Why the hemoglobin in the baby changes and whether this is the norm will be discussed in this article
At what month of pregnancy does the tummy appear, what does it depend on
Having learned about pregnancy, all women are interested in any changes that occur in the body. The most frequent question of future mothers is the following: “At what month of pregnancy does the tummy appear and when will its “interesting position” be noticeable? Even a doctor cannot definitely answer this question, because each pregnancy is different, and the growth of the abdomen depends on many factors. This article will help you understand this issue in more detail
The degree of maturity of the placenta by week (table). Norms and deviations of the maturity of the placenta
The most important indicator of the state of the placenta is the degree of its maturity. This characteristic makes it possible to evaluate both physiological and pathological changes in the temporary organ
Progesterone norms by week of pregnancy: indicators, causes of deviations at different periods
There are certain norms, in case of deviation from which the probability of developing a successful pregnancy can be extremely small. What are the norms of progesterone by weeks of pregnancy, starting from the moment of conception? Why is this hormone so important for the female body, and what to do if its levels are low? More on this in the article below
How to hear the fetal heartbeat at home: ways, what week you can, reviews
Young mothers listen to their body and analyze all the changes that occur in it. The first signs of pregnancy, especially if a woman is carrying a child for the first time, are very important and everyone experiences these feelings with a share of joy. The beating heart of a baby speaks of his vitality, the work of organs and he alth. That is why many expectant mothers are interested in the question: how to hear the fetal heartbeat at home?
