Are you wondering when your future baby's heart will beat for the first time? Fear not, we have compiled all the information needed to keep you up-to-date with every stage of development within that little bump. Read on to know when exactly does a fetus' heart start beating.
The Beginning
As per medical experts, the beginning of life starts at fertilization. It is during this process where sperm meets egg and forms a zygote - which later develops into an embryo.
What is a Zygote?
A zygote is described as two haploid cells combining together to form one diploid cell. This means that it contains genetic information from both parents and has everything required for human formation. Within minutes, this new organism quickly gets to work as thousands of chemical reactions occur within its tiny structure.
How Does Fertilization Take Place?
In humans, fertilization takes place in the fallopian tube after ovulation (when an egg leaves one of two ovaries). Sperm released by males through semen travel upwards and meet their way towards it with hopes for conception.
Weeks 1-4
During weeks one to four following fertilization or ovulation:
- Rapid cell division occurs - creating balls known as morula
- Morula come together and create blastocysts
- Blastocytes travel down towards uterus headong via fallopian tube
- Implantation happens wherein an attachment formed between blastocyte & uterine wall
But wait! There’s more...
What are Blastocysts though?
Blastocysts are what grow after a few days upon successful fertilisation. At around day 5 post-fertilisation, they consist of approximatley 100+ specialised cells dividing fast enough making enough material that helps break out from ‘hatching’ out of the outer layer.
Implantation - When Does It Happen and What to Expect?
Implantation generally takes place during the 2nd week following conception. During this time, some women may experience mild spotting or cramping as the blastocyst implants within the endometrium or uterine lining. Apart from that your body will be dealing with rapid changes in hormonal levels as well which could lead to a feeling of general unease.
Week 4-6
As we reach weeks four to six:
- The placenta starts forming
- Embryo has grown to 0.5 inches long
- A faint heartbeat is detected by ultrasound
And so on... but wait!
Let's Talk About the Placenta for a Minute
The formation of the placenta starts roughly after about one month post-conception/fertilisation process wherein blood vessels created start linking up both embryo, its respective holding sac and any uterus lined tissues visible when conducting an inside scan.
Further developments see what is then known as chorionic villi becoming egg-shell shaped appearing over just fourteen days since conception was initiated thus allowing elements such as glucose nutrients flow more freely plus excretion production carbon dioxide waste via expansion principle nutrient-carrying 'vein-like' tubes (lobes).
So When Exactly Does a Fetus Heart Start Beating?
As noted above, medical professionals report detecting fetal heartbeats starting from around fourth-seventh weeks using an ultrasonic monitor instrument better-known popularly used methods being alternatives include possibly checking blue veins atop Mother's wrist or carotid artery akin near throat movement pattern matching estimating gestational age similar option under rather new criteria guidelines adopted screening procedures previously reported globally: Color-flow Doppler Imaging Device/CIDMD) & Fetal Electrocardiogram/FECG).