Fetal heart sounds can be heard with a stethoscope after several weeks.

During pregnancy, expectant mothers must visit hospitals for routine prenatal examinations. A stethoscope can be used to assess the fetal heart rate (FHR). At what gestational week can the fetal heartbeat first be heard using a stethoscope?

At What Gestational Week Can the Fetal Heartbeat Be Heard with a Stethoscope?

The fetal heartbeat can typically be detected with a stethoscope starting at approximately 10 weeks of gestation. Currently, highly sensitive Doppler ultrasound devices commonly used in clinical practice can detect the fetal heartbeat as early as 10–12 weeks. The sound resembles a galloping horse. However, some healthcare facilities may still use conventional acoustic stethoscopes, in which case the fetal heartbeat is usually not audible until around 17–18 weeks.

Between 18–20 weeks of gestation, the fetal heartbeat can generally be auscultated through the maternal abdominal wall using a stethoscope. The fetal heart sounds consist of two distinct tones and occur at a rate of 120–160 beats per minute. Practicing fetal heart auscultation becomes especially important during the third trimester. The sound closely resembles the ticking of a clock. Experienced clinicians can reliably detect the fetal heartbeat through the maternal abdominal wall using a stethoscope. It is recommended that pregnant women undergo Down syndrome screening between 14–19 weeks and a four-dimensional (4D) color Doppler ultrasound examination between 22–26 weeks to comprehensively evaluate fetal development within the uterus.

The optimal location for auscultating the fetal heartbeat with a stethoscope is typically over the fetal back, which depends on fetal position. In cephalic presentation (head-down position), the fetal back lies below the maternal umbilicus. In left occiput anterior (LOA) position—where the fetal occiput is positioned toward the mother’s left pelvic side—the fetal back is located in the lower left quadrant of the maternal abdomen. Conversely, in right occiput anterior (ROA) position—the fetal occiput is oriented toward the mother’s right pelvic side—the fetal back lies in the lower right quadrant of the maternal abdomen. We hope this information proves helpful!