Can you hear your baby's heartbeat without an ultrasound?
Your baby is becoming very active, though increasingly cramped: they have less room, but they will still jerk their legs as if riding a bicycle. Later, this skill will help your baby roll her head upside down to get into the position for childbirth.
The baby also develops reflex reactions. Hearing a sharp, loud sound or feeling unusual movements can cause them to fold their arms over their chest and shift their legs [1].
By this time, your baby has fully formed eyelashes. The central nervous system now regulates body temperature and rhythmic breathing movements [2], while subcutaneous fat continues to accumulate [3].
The baby's heart beats at a frequency of 120 to 160 beats per minute. This rate is less than at an earlier stage but still much higher than in an adult. The heart is still very small, so it needs to work hard to pump blood through the vessels.
Your doctor can listen to the baby’s heart rate with a stethoscope, and your partner might be able to hear it by placing their ear on your belly, though finding the right spot is tricky [4]. It can be a lovely moment to share, but it isn’t a way to check on your baby, and neither is a home doppler (heartbeat monitor): even if you hear a heartbeat, that doesn’t mean your baby is well. If your baby is moving less than usual or their usual pattern of movements changes, call your doctor or maternity unit right away, even in the middle of the night.
The baby has already formed the foundation of teeth and they are covered with enamel. About six to nine months after birth, they will erupt through the gums [5]. When that happens, it’s normal for your baby’s sleep patterns to change or regress because of the discomfort teething can cause.
If you are expecting twins
Twins’ hearts do not always beat in unison. Doctors note that twins do react to each other, like when one makes a sudden movement, the second one gets startled and their heart beats faster [6].
What can be seen on ultrasound
The picture shows the baby’s right hand. The elbow joint, forearm, and hand are also visible, with clearly marked finger bones.
hand
The picture shows a baby lying on their back with their left side to the screen, resting their head against the wall of the uterus. The baby's profile is well-defined and we can see the eyes, nose, and chin.
Ribs are projected in the chest area, they look like a row of white stripes. A light arch is visible below, which is the spine.
ribs
head
spine
