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It starts to beat between 5 and 6 weeks gestation and may be detected via ultrasound around this time as well. The heart of the embryo continues to develop over the next several weeks. It is fully formed around 10 weeks gestation. There are two types of ultrasounds that are generally used to visualize a pregnancy: a transvaginal ultrasound, in which a probe is inserted into the vagina to gain proximity to the womb, and an abdominal ultrasound , which is placed on the mother's abdomen.
Both are useful procedures for various circumstances at different points in pregnancy. Transvaginal ultrasounds can see the growing embryo earlier than abdominal ultrasounds can. Abdominal ultrasounds are generally very effective after 8 weeks gestation to detect a fetal heartbeat but not before that time.
So, if you are having an ultrasound prior to 8 weeks from your last menstrual period, it will most likely be a transvaginal ultrasound. Transvaginal ultrasounds produce clear images of the fetus, uterus, and surrounding structures, all of which help doctors confirm pregnancy, establish a pregnancy timeline, and gain insight into the health of the pregnancy. In addition, an ultrasound is helpful for:. Not everyone will have an early pregnancy ultrasound.
Whether or not you have one will depend on your doctor's preference and the particulars of your pregnancy and medical history. For example, if you have experienced vaginal bleeding, a miscarriage in a previous pregnancy, or other circumstances that make you or your healthcare provider more alert to potential problems, you may be referred for an early pregnancy ultrasound.
You're more likely to get one in a higher risk pregnancy, such as if you have a chronic medical condition, or when using fertility treatments. Some doctors use ultrasound to confirm pregnancy. Others rely on other diagnostic techniques, such as blood tests. A transvaginal or abdominal ultrasound showing no fetal heartbeat means that either the pregnancy is too early along for the heartbeat to be detected which is possible if gestational age is 7 weeks or earlier , or a pregnancy loss has occurred.
Sadly, if an ultrasound fails to find a fetal heartbeat after one has previously been seen , the doctor may conclusively diagnose miscarriage. In addition, when there is no heartbeat detected in a pregnancy that is definitely far enough along that the heartbeat should be visible, this also indicates a miscarriage has occurred.
A stethescope or handheld doppler devices may be used to hear the heartbeat beginning around 8 weeks. However, it may take until 10 to 12 weeks or so to be audible. Know that most likely your pregnancy will progress normally but sometimes complications or pregnancy loss do occur, particularly in the first trimester.
With internal monitoring, you may have some slight discomfort when the electrode is put in your uterus. Note: You should not have internal fetal heart rate monitoring if you are HIV positive.
This is because you may pass the infection on to your baby. You may have other risks depending on your specific health condition. Be sure to talk with your provider about any concerns you have before the procedure. Cervix is not dilated or the amniotic sac is not broken. Both of these need to happen to do internal monitoring. Your healthcare provider will explain the procedure to you.
Ask him or her any questions you have about the procedure. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives permission to do the procedure. Read the form carefully and ask questions if anything is not clear. The consent form for fetal heart monitoring may be included as part of the general consent for labor and birth. Tell your healthcare provider if you are sensitive to or are allergic to any medicines, latex, tape, or anesthesia. If fetal heart rate monitoring is done along with another monitoring test, you may be asked to eat a meal before the test.
This can help make your baby more active. The amniotic sac must be broken and your cervix must be dilated several centimeters before the internal device can be put in place. You may have fetal heart rate monitoring in your healthcare provider's office or as part of a hospital stay. The way the test is done may vary depending on your condition and your healthcare provider's practices.
Depending on the type of procedure, you may be asked to undress from the waist down. Or you may need to remove all of your clothes and wear a hospital gown. The provider will press the transducer against your skin. The provider will move it around until he or she finds the fetal heartbeat. You will be able to hear the sound of the fetal heart rate with Doppler or an electronic monitor.
During labor, the provider may check the fetal heart rate at intervals or nonstop, based on your condition and the condition of your baby.
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