What a Fetal Heartbeat Can (and Can’t) Tell You

Undoubtedly, listening to a baby’s heartbeat is one of the great wonders in this world. Those sweet yet strong pitter-patters indicate life, hope, and the future. But what can the heartbeat tell you, and what can it not do? Let’s look closely at fetal heartbeat detection, listening, and devices.

A Closer Look at Fetal Heartbeat Development

The fetal heartbeat is one of the most significant signs of overall fetal health and development in the mother’s womb. These precious beats indicate various elements that help care providers better understand gestational age, a mother’s health, and the potential risks associated with the pregnancy.

Beginning between 5 and 7 weeks gestation, the fetal heartbeat is detectable from external devices and can indicate viable implantation. Following this initial detection, the fetal heartbeat will go through a series of fluctuations related to the gestational age of the baby and the health of both the mother and child.

Heartbeat by Trimester

In the first trimester, the baby’s organs begin their initial formation processes, and the blood supply will start pumping through the heart. The heartbeat is commonly on the higher end during these early days.

Once the mother enters her second trimester, the fetal heartbeat will begin to level off and remain between 110 and 160 beats per minute. Healthcare professionals use a series of devices to listen to the fetal heartbeat and anticipate a pattern between each listening session. Should the heartbeat appear irregular, too slow, or too fast, professionals can investigate potential fetal heart conditions.

In the third and final trimester, the heartbeat will often mirror the patterns of the second trimester. As the baby begins its descent into the birth canal, these processes and movements can cause the heart rate to fluctuate. The mother’s overseeing care professional will closely monitor the baby’s heartbeat to ensure the fetus does not enter distress.

Reasons the Heartbeat May Be Hard To Hear

There are a few reasons a heartbeat may be hard to hear or undetectable altogether. Not hearing the heartbeat does not always indicate the worst-case scenario. Sometimes, the position of the fetus or gestational age affect the ability to hear a clear fetal heartbeat. If the baby’s abdomen is larger, the mother has a tipped uterus, or the gestation is less than 7 weeks, it’s normal for a heartbeat to be less identifiable.

Any time there is worry about the viability of the pregnancy, it’s critical to partner with a healthcare professional immediately.

What the Heartbeat Cannot Tell You

A common myth is that the fetal heartbeat indicates or suggests the fetal gender. The heartbeat cannot tell the exact gender of a fetus. Some say a higher heartbeat indicates a female fetus, and a lower heartbeat indicates that the gender is male. This is not true, and these beliefs are not scientifically backed.

The overseeing care provider will suggest a gender identification ultrasound around 20 weeks. The mother can also have a NIPT (non-invasive prenatal test) test beginning at 10 weeks gestation to learn about the DNA of the fetus. The results of a NIPT can also indicate the baby’s gender.

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