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Your baby’s heartbeat: when it starts and what is normal

For many people the heartbeat is the moment pregnancy becomes real. It is also one of the most searched and most misunderstood parts of it — here is what the numbers actually mean.

An ultrasound image on a screen in a softly lit consulting room
Written by HelloMommy editorial teamMedically reviewed by Medical review boardUpdated Published 2 min read

When the heart starts beating

The heart begins as a simple tube that starts to pulse around week 5 or 6. On an early scan it looks like a flicker rather than a heartbeat. By week 6 it is usually visible on a transvaginal ultrasound, and by weeks 10 to 12 a handheld doppler can often pick it up.

What the numbers mean

A baby’s heart rate is much faster than an adult’s. It rises through the first weeks, peaks around weeks 9 to 10 at roughly 170 beats per minute, then settles for the rest of pregnancy into a normal range of about 110 to 160.

  • Week 6: around 100–120 beats per minute
  • Weeks 9–10: around 140–170, the fastest it will be
  • From week 12: settles into 110–160 and stays there

Home dopplers

Handheld dopplers are widely sold, but midwives generally advise against relying on them. It is easy to pick up your own pulse and mistake it for your baby’s, and a reassuring sound can delay a call that should have been made. From week 24 onwards, your baby’s pattern of movement is the more reliable signal.

Frequently asked questions

When can you hear the baby’s heartbeat?

It is usually visible on a transvaginal ultrasound from around week 6, and audible with a doppler at antenatal appointments from about week 10 to 12.

What is a normal fetal heart rate?

From week 12 onwards, roughly 110 to 160 beats per minute. It is fastest around weeks 9 to 10, when it can reach about 170.

Are home dopplers safe?

They are not known to be harmful, but midwives advise against relying on them: a sound you believe is your baby’s can be your own pulse, and false reassurance delays care.

Sources

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or midwife about your own pregnancy.

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