Late Heartbeat in Pregnancy: What Could Be the Possible Reasons?

Pregnancy is a journey both parents undertake, with the mother anchoring their way to deliver a beautiful baby into their lives. The most exciting part of pregnancy for the parents is hearing the first heartbeat of their child. Hearing the heartbeat of the baby is an indication that the pregnancy is going on as planned. There is the least risk of miscarriage when the fetus's heartbeat has been detected.

But there may be cases of no heartbeat in the fetus or late fetal heartbeat. In this article, we will understand how late can heartbeat start in pregnancy and what are the possible reasons for a late heartbeat in pregnancy.

When Does Baby Heartbeat Start During Pregnancy?

If you're wondering baby heartbeat during pregnancy which week, then you would be happy to know that the baby's heartbeat typically starts during early pregnancy, around 6 weeks gestation. At this stage, the baby's heart is just beginning to form and develop.

The heartbeat can often be detected through an ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create an image of the baby in the womb. Hearing the baby's heartbeat for the first time can be a joyful and reassuring moment for expectant parents, as it indicates that the baby is growing and developing normally.

How Late Can Heartbeat Start in Pregnancy?

By the end of the first trimester, which is around 12 weeks gestation, a fetal heartbeat can typically be detected in most pregnancies. If a fetal heartbeat is not detected by 12 weeks, it could indicate a potential issue with the pregnancy, such as a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. In such cases, further medical evaluation and tests would be necessary to determine the cause and appropriate steps to take.

However, in some cases, the pregnancy may be earlier than expected, or it may be too soon to detect the heartbeat using certain types of ultrasound equipment. In such situations, doctors may recommend a follow-up ultrasound a week or two later to reevaluate and monitor the development of the pregnancy.

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Reasons for Late Heartbeat in Pregnancy

There are several reasons for no heartbeat at 6 weeks. The parents should know about the reasons so they can prepare well for a smooth pregnancy. Let's check the various causes of late heartbeat in pregnancy.

1. Gestational age

If the pregnancy is less than seven weeks, there would be no heartbeat at 7 weeks of a successful pregnancy. The heartbeat would only be heard through transvaginal ultrasound after 7 weeks. But when it comes to abdominal ultrasound, it can take a longer time to detect the heartbeat as it is more sensitive.

2. Different kinds of ultrasounds

If the mother is 8 weeks pregnant with no heartbeat but the baby is growing, then transvaginal ultrasound is the best form to detect the heartbeat. Transvaginal ultrasound is a preferable mode to detect the heartbeat as compared to abdominal ultrasound during early pregnancy. Detecting a heartbeat through a handheld doppler can take over 10 weeks.

3. Date inaccuracy

If there is no heartbeat after seven weeks of pregnancy through transvaginal ultrasound, there may be a chance the dates of pregnancy may be wrong. In early pregnancy days, slight days off or irregular ovulation patterns can bring about this difference. So instead of panicking because of the absence of a hidden heartbeat through ultrasound, the parents should consult the doctor and go for an ultrasound after some time.

4. Tilted Uterus

The way the uterus or the womb is positioned in the pelvis is responsible for the detection of the heartbeat of the fetus. This is a medical condition in nearly 20% of women. In this case, the uterus is at a distance from the abdominal wall.

There is no need to panic in this scenario as time progresses, the uterus expands and moves towards the abdominal wall, and the baby's heart would have also grown. This would help in detecting the heartbeat of the baby.

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5. Finding the baby

The baby may be difficult to find during the early days of pregnancy as it would be small in size. The Doppler should be able to zoom in properly to detect the baby's heartbeat. It takes lots of patience and luck to detect the heartbeat with the help of a Doppler. So, if the heartbeat is not detected on the first try, the parents need to visit the doctor after some time as per the doctor's advice.

6. Overweight

For mothers on the healthy side, the fat layer can obstruct the Doppler's functioning of identifying the fetus's heartbeat. So, in this case, an ultrasound would help to detect the heartbeat by positioning the transducer on the lower part of the belly. If the abdominal ultrasound fails to identify the heartbeat, the transvaginal ultrasound is applied to detect the baby's heartbeat.

So, if the parents are worried that if there is no heartbeat at 10 weeks, could the baby still be alive? They do not have to worry about it, but it is always advisable to consult your doctor and follow their instructions for a successful delivery. When heartbeat will start for the baby? This question can be best discussed with the doctor.

But in general, it is said that the baby's heartbeat can be detected seven weeks after the pregnancy. There would be chances of no heartbeat at 9 weeks but still have successful pregnancy as the mother would have undergone the causes mentioned above for the late heartbeat in pregnancy. The parents should not panic and need to regularly contact their doctors for advice.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the absence or late heartbeat in pregnancy can be a distressing and concerning experience for expectant parents. While it is normal for some variations in heartbeat detection during early pregnancy, it is essential to seek immediate medical attention and evaluation if a heartbeat is not detected at the expected stage. Various factors could contribute to the lack of a heartbeat, including early miscarriage, blighted ovum, or other nonviable pregnancy conditions. However, it is crucial not to jump to conclusions or self-diagnose, as each pregnancy is unique, and only a qualified healthcare professional can provide an accurate assessment.

References

1. Valenti O, Di Prima FA, Renda E, Faraci M, Hyseni E, De Domenico R, Monte S, Giorgio E. (2011). Fetal cardiac function during the first trimester of pregnancy. NCBI

2. Jha Akhilesh Kumar, Rimal Bikranta, Khatun Tarannum. (2017). Evaluation of Normal Heart Rate in Early Pregnancy Corresponding to Gestational Age between Six to Eight Weeks. NMC

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