Just curious: fetal heartrate

(same post as nursing midwifery post)

i was just curious about something, and i was wondering if y'all could help me out. i have not had my ob rotation yet.

what is the absolutely earliest one could hear a baby's heartbeat by doppler? ultrasound? basically by any means available?

thanks in advance for your assistance. :)

[SmilingBluEyes]

on u/s, i know they hear it as early as the 5th or 6th week gestation. often, it is later. but transvaginal u/s is very sensitive and can pick it up very early on.......when all you can SEE is the gestational sac, you still can sometimes hear a heartbeat, if the practicioner is skilled!

with doppler, the earliest I EVER was able to get it (they always call us down to ER to help out) was about 8 or 9 weeks....very low down toward the pubic bone and very briefly. these are my experiences anyhow.....good luck w/your OB rotation.