Few moments in medicine match it: the first flicker of your baby's heartbeat on screen. Here's when to expect it.
Seeing vs Hearing
There's an important distinction:
- Seeing the heartbeat: A flickering motion is typically visible from about 6 weeks on a transvaginal scan (around 6.5–7 weeks abdominally)
- "Hearing" it: Early on, the sound you hear at scans is the heartbeat's motion converted to audio via Doppler. Guidelines limit routine Doppler in very early pregnancy, so at a 6–7 week scan you'll usually see the heartbeat rather than hear it played aloud
- Handheld home Dopplers: typically can't reliably detect the heartbeat until 12+ weeks — and are discouraged for self-checking, as false reassurance and false alarm are both common
What's a Normal Fetal Heart Rate?
It changes rapidly in early pregnancy:
- ~6 weeks: around 100–120 beats per minute
- ~8 weeks: peaks around 150–170 bpm
- Second and third trimester: settles to roughly 110–160 bpm
A fast rate compared to an adult's is completely normal.
If No Heartbeat Is Seen
Before ~6 weeks, absence of a heartbeat is often simply too early rather than bad news — dates are frequently off by days. In this situation, a repeat scan in 7–14 days gives the answer. Your care team will guide you through it with clear criteria.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Ready to Book Your Ultrasound Scan?
Mascot Healthcare Clinic, Akoka (Yaba), Lagos offers ultrasound scans by appointment only, Monday–Saturday, 9am–5pm. Book online and choose a time that works for you.