Categories
Foetal Heart Rate During Pregnancy: Normal Range, Monitoring and What It Means
Jul 27, 2026
Hearing your baby's heartbeat for the first time is one of the most emotional milestones in pregnancy. The fetal heart rate is also one of the most important indicators of fetal wellbeing throughout gestation. Understanding what a normal fetal heart rate in pregnancy looks like, how it changes through each trimester, and how it is monitored gives expectant parents both reassurance and useful knowledge for their antenatal visits.
What is Foetal Heart Rate?
A fetal heart rate is the number of times a baby's heart beats per minute during pregnancy. It is expressed as beats per minute (BPM). The fetal heart begins to develop around week 5 of pregnancy and starts beating between weeks 5 and 6. It can usually be detected by transvaginal ultrasound from around 6 weeks, and by abdominal ultrasound or Doppler by 10 to 12 weeks. As the pregnancy progresses, both the rate and the pattern of the heartbeat change in predictable ways.Normal foetal Heart Rate by Trimester
The foetal heart rate in pregnancy is highest in the first trimester and gradually settles as pregnancy advances:- Weeks 5 to 6: around 100 to 120 BPM
- Weeks 7 to 9: around 140 to 170 BPM (peak)
- Weeks 10 to 12: around 140 to 160 BPM
- Second trimester: 120 to 160 BPM
- Third trimester: 110 to 160 BPM
How foetal Heart Rate is Monitored
Different methods are used at different stages of pregnancy:- Transvaginal ultrasound: Used in early pregnancy from around 6 weeks, offering the earliest reliable detection.
- Abdominal ultrasound: Used from 10 to 12 weeks onwards for routine visits.
- Handheld Doppler: A small device your doctor uses in routine visits from around 12 weeks to listen to the heartbeat.
- Cardiotocography (CTG): Used in the third trimester and during labour to continuously monitor foetal heart rate and uterine contractions.
- Non-stress test (NST): Checks how the baby's heart rate responds to movement. Usually done in the third trimester when there is a specific concern.
What an Abnormal foetal Heart Rate Might Mean
Sometimes readings fall outside the normal range. This does not always indicate a problem, but it does prompt further evaluation:- Bradycardia (below 100 to 110 BPM): Can suggest early pregnancy complications or fetal distress later in pregnancy.
- Tachycardia (above 160 BPM after the first trimester): May indicate maternal fever, fetal infection, or other conditions needing evaluation.
- Reduced variability: A flat foetal heart rate trace on CTG can indicate poor foetal oxygenation.
