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When Can You Hear the Baby Heartbeat and See the Baby on an Ultrasound
Whether you’re a first-time parent or a seasoned pro, understanding the milestones of pregnancy can help you feel more connected to your growing baby and the pregnancy journey as a whole. Let’s dive in and learn more about when you can hear the baby’s heartbeat.
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Understanding when you can hear your baby's heartbeat
Pregnancy is a time filled with excitement, anticipation, and lots of questions. One of the most common questions we get at A Date With Baby is “when can I hear my baby’s heartbeat?” As a leading provider of 3D/4D ultrasound services in Toronto, we want to help expectant parents understand the timeline for when they can hear their baby’s heartbeat and see them on an ultrasound.
It’s important to keep in mind that every pregnancy is unique, and the ability to hear baby’s heartbeat can vary from person to person. If you’re unable to hear your baby’s heartbeat during your first prenatal appointment, don’t worry. It’s not uncommon for it to take a few weeks for the heartbeat to be detected.
How early can you hear baby's heartbeat on ultrasound and by ear?
The most common method of detecting a baby’s heartbeat is through ultrasound, using a Doppler ultrasound, which can detect it as early as 8-10 weeks into pregnancy.
Another method is auscultation, which is listening by ear using a fetoscope. This method can detect a s heartbeat as early as 12-16 weeks into pregnancy, but it is not as reliable as ultrasound.
What to expect during your first ultrasound appointment
Your first ultrasound appointment is an exciting time, providing a glimpse of your baby. Expectant parents often look forward to hearing their baby’s heartbeat for the first time. During your first ultrasound appointment, your healthcare provider will use a transvaginal ultrasound to try and detect your baby’s heartbeat. This type of ultrasound uses a small probe that is inserted into the vagina for a more accurate reading at an early stage of pregnancy.
During the ultrasound, you can see your baby on the screen and hear its heartbeat. Your healthcare provider will measure the size of your baby, check the position of the placenta (if already present), and determine the due date. It is important to note that some women may not be able to hear it during their first ultrasound appointment, as it can take a few weeks for it to be detected.
It’s important to know that an ultrasound is a safe and non-invasive procedure, and it is not painful. Transvaginal ultrasound is different than the regular surface one, so you may be asked to empty your bladder before the ultrasound (usually a full bladder is required for transabdominal, or surface, ultrasounds for pregnancies before 18 weeks).
Monitoring Heartbeat Changes Throughout Pregnancy
Monitoring a baby’s heartbeat during pregnancy is an important way to check on the health and well-being of both the mother and the baby. As the pregnancy progresses, it will change and evolve.
During the first trimester, it will be around 120-160 beats per minute (bpm). As the baby grows, the heartbeat will slow down to around 110-160 bpm by the second trimester. By the third trimester, it will be around 110-150 bpm.
Additionally, there are some variations of heart rate that are considered normal, such as a heart rate that is slightly higher or lower than the average range, or a heart rate that varies slightly from week to week. However, if there are any significant changes or deviations from the norm, your healthcare provider will likely want to investigate further to ensure the well-being of both mother and baby.
Can you use apps to hear it?
Another method that has gained popularity in recent years is the use of apps and other technology to listen the heartbeat of the baby. Some apps claim to use sound waves to detect the heartbeat and allow expectant parents to hear it through their smartphones or other devices.
However, it’s important to note that these apps and other technology are not reliable methods for detecting it. The accuracy of these apps and devices has not been proven and they are not recommended by healthcare professionals.
It’s important to remember that ultrasound is still the most accurate and reliable way. At A Date With Baby, we offer ultrasound services, including early pregnancy scans, which can help detect the baby’s heartbeat as early as 8 weeks into pregnancy.
What to Know if Your Provider Can't Detect a Heartbeat
However, it’s important to be prepared for the possibility that your healthcare provider may not be able to detect a heartbeat during your first ultrasound appointment.
It’s not uncommon for a heartbeat to not be detected until the 12th week of pregnancy, and in some cases, it may take a few weeks longer. The position of the baby, the stage of pregnancy, and the equipment being used can all affect the ability to detect it.
If your healthcare provider is unable to detect a heartbeat during your appointment, they may schedule you for a follow-up ultrasound in a week or two to try again. It’s important to keep in mind that a lack of a detectable heartbeat at an early stage of pregnancy does not necessarily mean that there is a problem with the pregnancy.
If a heartbeat still cannot be detected at your follow-up appointment, your healthcare provider may diagnose a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. In these cases, your healthcare provider will discuss the next steps with you, which may include further testing or treatment.
It’s important to remember that every pregnancy is unique and that a lack of a detectable heartbeat during an early ultrasound appointment is not uncommon. If you have any concerns or questions, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider
Final words
It’s essential to keep in mind that every pregnancy is unique, and the ability to detect a baby’s heartbeat can vary.
At A Date With Baby, we offer a variety of ultrasound services, including early pregnancy scans. If you’re looking for a more intimate and personal experience consider our 3D/4D ultrasound services.
In order to make the most of your prenatal care, we recommend scheduling your ultrasound appointment as early as possible.
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We hope you found these suggestions useful, and we look forward to seeing you for your 3D ultrasound session. Meanwhile, we'll be pleased to advise you on the ideal time to come in for your private 3D ultrasound scan. For further information, please contact us.
