The normal fetal heart rate varies during pregnancy, but a range of 120-180 bpm is considered normal. Abnormalities could indicate fetal distress or abnormal development, and a low heart rate in early pregnancy may signal a possible miscarriage. Fetal monitoring is usually done externally, but internal monitoring may be necessary in some cases.
The normal fetal heart rate is typically measured to determine if a fetus is developing normally in the uterus. If the fetal heart rate is abnormally low in early pregnancy, it could be a sign of impending miscarriage. Slow or irregular fetal heart rate doesn’t always indicate an impending miscarriage, but doctors may want to monitor fetal development more closely if abnormalities in the fetal heart rate are found. The normal fetal heart rate can vary slightly during the stages of pregnancy, but the average fetus has a heart rate of around 85 beats per minute (bpm) when the heart begins beating at five weeks’ gestation. The fetal heart rate can reach a rate of up to 175 bpm by nine weeks of gestation, after which the normal fetal heart rate can be between 120 and 180 bpm until the last ten weeks of pregnancy, when the normal fetal heart rate is about twice as fast as its mother.
Fetal heart monitoring is usually done externally, often by placing electrodes on the skin of the mother’s abdomen. A normally developing fetus generally has a heart rate between 120 and 180 bpm, and the doctor can stimulate fetal movement to see if the heart rate increases. A slight increase in the fetal heart rate immediately after the fetal movement is considered normal and a sign that the fetus is developing properly. Uterine contractions can cause a slight decrease in the fetal heart rate, which is also considered normal.
Abnormal fetal heart rate could be a sign of fetal distress or abnormal fetal development. Heart problems, compression of the umbilical cord, and inadequate oxygen supply to the fetus could cause abnormalities in the fetal heart rate. Improper fetal position can lead to problems with the fetal heart rate, as well as fetal infection, problems with the placenta, and other forms of fetal distress.
Sometimes, a low fetal heart rate, especially in the early stages of pregnancy, can indicate the possibility of miscarriage or complications with the pregnancy. While this is not always the case, most doctors interpret the low fetal heart rate as causing more intense fetal monitoring. Fetal monitoring may need to be done more frequently. In some cases, internal fetal monitoring may be necessary. Internal fetal monitoring usually involves attaching an electrode directly to the baby’s head, through the cervical opening.
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