At what gestational week is the fetal heartbeat typically first detected?

The fetal heartbeat is typically first detected around 6 weeks of gestation. This is the point when the embryo is developing enough for the cardiac tissue to start functioning, and the heartbeat can be visualized via transvaginal ultrasound.

At this early stage, the fetal heart usually beats around 100 to 160 beats per minute, which can be a reassuring sign of a healthy pregnancy. By 6 weeks, the heart begins to take shape, and with the advancement of ultrasound technology, healthcare providers can detect this early physiological change, marking a significant milestone in prenatal care.

Detection of a heartbeat at earlier weeks, such as 4 weeks, is generally not possible since this period is when the embryo is just beginning to form, and significant anatomical structures, including the heart, are not yet developed. Although by 8 weeks, the heartbeat is more robust and can be detected more easily, the typical first detection remains at around 6 weeks.