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  |  Pregnancy  |  1st Trimester  |  Foetal heart rate at six weeks
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Foetal heart rate at six weeks

by Peg Plumbo

question
Is it normal for the foetal heart rate to be well over 200 beats per minute at 6½ weeks? I had an ultrasound scan to establish my baby’s gestational age and to determine location, since I have a history of ectopic pregnancy. My doctor said he doesn't know whether the heart rate is normally that high at this stage of development and then settles down later.

answer
Dear Stacie,

At this stage of gestation, the foetal heart is little more than a tubular structure, but it does circulate blood. It has very little in terms of mature adaptive responses or nervous control so the rhythm and rate are not predictable. Because the metabolic rate of the embryo is so rapid, the rate could well be over 200. This is normal and of no concern.

Thanks for writing.

Peg

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