What Week Can You Hear a Baby's Heartbeat?
Hearing a baby's heartbeat for the first time is undoubtedly one of the most joyous moments an expectant parent can experience. You'll probably hear the heartbeat for the first time during a doctor's visit since he has the tools needed to amplify the sound.
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Ultrasound
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An embryo's heart begins beating 22 days after conception, which is considered to be the fifth week of pregnancy. It's too small to be heard with any instrument, but an ultrasound may show the heartbeat as a tiny flicker.
Doppler
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It may be possible to hear the heartbeat using a doctor's Doppler instrument after the ninth or 10th week of pregnancy. By the 12th week the heartbeat can usually be heard more consistently.
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Fetoscope
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Around the 20th week of pregnancy, the heartbeat can usually be heard using a special stethoscope called a fetoscope.
Considerations
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If the placenta is on the front wall or the uterus or there is extra fat on the mother's belly, it may be more difficult to hear the heartbeat.
Warning
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The position of the uterus and the position of the baby can affect your ability to hear the heartbeat, so don't panic if you cannot immediately hear anything using a Doppler or stethoscope.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit lunar caustic/Flickr.com
