When should I see my baby's heartbeat on ultrasound?

Ultrasounds give you a window into your baby's world. More and more women are getting ultrasounds very early in pregnancy. These early ultrasounds provide comfort and reassurance to the expectant mother. They also help with dating your pregnancy properly and getting an accurate due date.

When is the earliest you can see a heartbeat on ultrasound?

At about six weeks into pregnancy (four weeks from conception), you should be able to see your baby's heartbeat on ultrasound. The typical heart rate at this age is about 100 beats per minute. As your pregnancy progresses, your baby's average heartbeat will be between 120 and 160 beats per minute.

What if I don't see a heartbeat?

Your doctor will not only be looking for a heartbeat, she will also be looking for a gestational sac. She will measure the size of the baby. This will help her to determine your baby's age. If your baby's size is smaller than expected, your due date may be off. It is important to keep in mind that a due date is an estimate based on the start of your last menstrual period. If your cycles are irregular or you ovulated late in your last cycle, this increases the chances of your due date being off. Performing an ultrasound just a few days earlier than six weeks may not yield a visible heartbeat. If your baby is measuring smaller in size, your doctor will likely perform a repeat ultrasound in a week or two and order lab work to check your hCG levels.

If your baby is measuring six weeks or beyond and you do not see a heartbeat on ultrasound, your doctor will discuss the likelihood of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. She may order lab work including hCG levels. Due to possible errors in dating or possible equipment errors, she may also order a repeat ultrasound in three to five days.

5
Average: 5 (4 votes)
 

2 comments

Most recent See All

By zcredman on 07/30/09 at 5:32 pm

you can go to walgreens to get prenatal vitamins. you'll be fine, prenatal visits are schedule anywhere from 6-10 weeks.

By mommy 2 be on 07/11/09 at 10:11 pm

Question I don't know how far i am right now because i need to see a doctor real bad so i can get my prenatal vitamins for me and my baby and i want my   ...

Sign in to leave a comment!

Today on JustMommies

PMS or Pregnancy Symptoms?

One of the most maddening things while you are trying to conceive is staying patient during the “two-week wait” (the gap of time between ovulation and when you would normally expect your menstrual period to begin).

Fetal Development Month by Month

Month 1: Your first month of pregnancy your baby will accomplish many things, first and foremost, conception, fertilization, and implantation.

How to Outsmart Your Picky Eater

One day, my youngest daughter had strep throat, and in the time-honored tradition of mothers everywhere, I hid her foul-tasting medicine in some chocolate pudding.

How to Make a Dreamcatcher

To make our dreamcatcher you will need: wood embordery hoop, leather lace, scissors, 3 to 4 feathers, beads



Article Tools

Print this article

Email this article

RSS

Bookmark and Share

From the Message Boards

January 2009 Playroom

Blah...so irritated

Israel has been absolutely impossible to get to sleep lately, either for naps or bedtime. He's been...

January 2008 Playroom

Mom's with 2 kids

How the heck do you grocery shop with a infant carrier and a toddler in the shopping cart seat?...

March 2009 Playroom

Tiffany!!!!!!!

Isn't your big U/S tomorrow? Fill us in, what's going on :cheer: Yikes!!!! Super excited for you....

March 2009 Playroom

Where did all this energy come from?!?!

Its like someone flipped a switch this morning and Jacob all the sudden has an incredible amount of...

March 2009 Playroom

Who's Wearing Shorts? (QOTD!)

OMG...it's roasting hot here. I'm about to go find a pair of shorts :cheer: This weather is incred...

» Check out the friendliest message board for moms and moms-to-be!