From When Can I Hear My Baby’s Heartbeat?

Being able to hear the baby’s heartbeat is certainly one of the most anticipated moments for future parents. And the question everyone asks about this is: when can I hear my baby’s heartbeat?

From the moment a woman finds out that she is pregnant, one of the most eagerly awaited milestones is being able to hear her heartbeat for the first time. You could say that it is the initial moment where we see the dream really come true. The good news is that this special moment can happen sooner than you think. Want to find out when? Come check!

When Can You Hear the Baby’s Heartbeat?

Experts indicate that from approximately five weeks of gestation onwards there is the beginning of the heart, which is a heart tube formed by three segments: ventricle, atrium and medulla oblongata. It is at this moment where the first heartbeats begin. However, it is only from the sixth week that the baby’s heartbeat begins to be felt.

Fetal Beat: Values and Frequencies

Normally, during pregnancy, the fetal heart rate varies between 120 and 160 beats per minute (bpm).

Throughout pregnancy, the fetal heart rate may decrease slightly, which is quite normal. One of the main causes of the decrease is labor.

See below how the fetal heartbeat can vary over the weeks:

• 3-5 weeks: The heart beats approximately 80 to 90 times;
• 6-9 weeks: This period is characterized by an increase in heart contraction, which can vary from 105 to 135;
• 9-12 weeks: Heart rate can reach 190 bpm;
• After week 12 of gestation: The frequency decreases, around 130 to 140 times.

What Are the Methods to Listen to the Baby’s Heart

Just as you are wondering when I can hear my baby’s heartbeat, what methods can be used to do this should also make you curious. Know that there are several methods that can be used during pregnancy, see what they are:

• Fetal Doppler;
• Electronic fetal monitor;
• Ultrasound;
• Fetal stethoscope;
• Smartphone apps.

How Can Pregnant Women’s Habits Interfere With Heart Development?

The pregnant woman’s habits can have a direct impact on the development of the baby’s heart. During pregnancy, the fetal heart forms and develops at important stages. Therefore, exposure to risk factors or even the adoption of healthy habits can positively or negatively influence the baby’s cardiac development.

Check out which habits can have a negative influence:

Inadequate nutrition: A diet deficient in essential nutrients can increase the risk of congenital heart defects in the baby.
Smoking: Smoking during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of congenital heart defects in the fetus. Likewise, exposure to smoke can be highly harmful.
Alcohol consumption: Consumption of alcoholic beverages can lead to developmental and heart problems in the fetus.
Use of illicit drugs: Using illicit drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, for example, can cause serious damage to the development of the baby’s heart.

Can I Know the Baby’s Sex Through Heart Rate?

This is a very pertinent question, as many people still believe that it is possible to know the baby’s sex through heart rate, but this has no scientific basis. In other words, it is not possible to determine the baby’s sex based on the fetal heart rate. Ultrasonography is the most reliable method for this purpose.

Conclusion

I hope that our article today has served to answer your question as to when I can hear my baby’s heartbeat. Remember that this exciting journey of hearing your baby’s heartbeat usually begins around the sixth week of pregnancy, when the little heart starts to beat. And of course, it cannot be repeated enough that taking care of your health during pregnancy is essential for your baby’s well-being.