Fetal heartbeat
Fetal cardiac activity refers to the flickering movement of the developing heart detected by ultrasound. On a transvaginal scan, this can sometimes be seen as early as 6 weeks of pregnancy, though 6.5 to 7 weeks is more reliable. At this stage it is detected visually on ultrasound rather than heard. From around 10 to 12 weeks onward, a handheld Doppler device can pick up the heartbeat audibly at prenatal appointments. A normal fetal heart rate in early pregnancy ranges from about 90 to 180 beats per minute, and it tends to increase through the first trimester before settling into a steadier range.
What This Means for You
Understanding Fetal heartbeat is an important part of your first trimester onward journey. During pregnancy, your care team will use this term regularly. Being familiar with it means you can ask better questions and feel more confident at your antenatal appointments.
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If no heartbeat is detected at an early scan, your provider will usually consider the exact gestational age before drawing conclusions, as dating errors are common. A repeat scan at KKH or NUH is standard before any diagnosis of pregnancy loss is made.
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Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice.
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