The fetal heart rate by week of age begins to form until the time of labor. Therefore, mothers should pay attention to heart rate according to the week of age so that the fetus is always healthy.
1. When does the fetus start to have a heartbeat?
Gestational heart appears from the 6th week of pregnancy
Normally, for healthy fetuses, fetal heart appears quite early from 6 weeks or 16-22 days of pregnancy. At this point, the embryo begins to have 2 blood vessels that make up the two ducts of the fetal heart.
Towards the end of the 5th week of pregnancy, the embryo forms more cells, a small particle in the middle of the embryo that develops into the fetal heart. Although the fetal shape is not yet completed, the fetal heart is well formed and contracts well, beating like a real human heart.
By week 7, the fetal heartbeat gradually grows and begins to divide into the left and right chambers. Moms can begin to feel the fetal heartbeat and can even see and measure flashing lights on an ultrasound .
However, there are also a few cases, until about 8-10 weeks of pregnancy, the mother can hear the fetal heart, depending on the menstrual cycle as well as the development of the embryo.
2. Fetal heart rate by week of age
Normal development of the fetus
The development of fetal heartbeat when it starts to form until the time of labor , most of them are as follows:
When is fetal heart rate according to 7 weeks of pregnancy considered normal? With modern ultrasound technology, pregnant mothers can hear the fetal heartbeat. The fetal heart rate per minute starts at 90–110 beats / minute and increases each day.
By 9 weeks, the fetal heart rate can peak between 140–170 beats per minute for boys and girls.
At week 11 of pregnancy the fetal heartbeat begins to beat slightly, and around week 12 the heartbeat is almost complete.
By the end of the 16th week of pregnancy, the fetal heart is structurally complete and can pump about 24 liters of blood / day. The average fetal heart rate by week of age 16 can range from 120-160 beats / minute. When the baby fidgets a lot, the heart rate can increase rapidly up to 180 times / minute.
The fetal heart rate by 20 weeks of age becomes stronger and can be heard with just normal headphones.
When entering the stage of labor, experts believe that the normal heart rate of the fetus should be 110-160 times / minute for the best.
The fetal heart rate according to the week of age also changes frequently and normally depending on many factors of eating, sleeping, and movement like us. If you feel unsafe, pregnant women can talk to a specialist for advice.
3. How is the fetal heart rate abnormal?
The fetal heart rate maintained between 120-160 beats / min is considered normal, with fluctuations increasing every 10-20 minutes. If the fetal heart rate is too fast or too slow, you should pay attention because the fetus may lack oxygen, the mother should pay attention to monitor the child's heart rate regularly.
The fetal heart is beating fast
By 20 weeks, fetal heartbeat can be heard with conventional headphones
Normally, when the fetus is excited or lacking oxygen, the fetal heart rate will increase 160 times / minute faster. If pregnant women are stressed or tired, the fetal heart will increase rapidly.
When listening to the fetal heartbeat, pregnant mothers can lie on their left side and observe to see if fetal heart rate decreases. At the same time, when the fetal heart rate is too fast, it is advisable to reduce the stimulation of the lower abdomen and uterus, pregnant mothers pay attention to rest so that the breath can be stabilized.
If the fetal heart continues to beat at a high level, it is important to be wary of the possibility that the fetus may be deprived of oxygen, so go to the hospital to diagnose, monitor and breathe oxygen when needed.
The fetal heart is beating slowly
Should regular prenatal check-up to monitor fetal development
The slow fetal heart rate is more dangerous than the tachycardia, because it can be a sign of dangerous abnormalities in the fetus. During 6-8 weeks of pregnancy, when you have a fetal heart and heart rate but the fetal heart beats less than 70 times / minute, the risk of miscarriage can be up to 90%. For fetuses with complete cardiac stabilization, if the fetal heart beats below 120 beats / minute is considered bradycardia.
The cause of this condition is due to poor blood circulation, low blood pressure, abnormal placenta or fetal defects. When realizing that the fetal heartbeat is slowing down, the mother needs to know she is in danger and go to the hospital for immediate doctor's intervention.
It is especially important to pay attention to the heart rate of the fetus by week of age. New mothers should be especially careful to monitor for a healthy pregnancy and fetus. It is best to have regular pregnancy check-ups so that your doctor can get an accurate diagnosis.
See more:
14 times of pregnancy check-up, ultrasound, taking medicine according to doctor's guidance throughout pregnancy
35 weeks gestation - changes in mother and baby at 35 weeks of pregnancy
Photos of 8 weeks old fetus - Where has the "tail" gone?