I was just curious and wanted to know if on your last day of the fourth week of your pregnancy does the babies heart start to beat ? I know for a fact that on your 5th week of pregnancy the heart does start to develop but I was wondering if it would start earlier

Baby's heart beat starts between the fifth and sixth week. At this time fetus is no bigger then a pea. No, I don't think it starts before that.

According to this site: When can I hear my baby's heartbeat? | BabyCenter (http://www.babycenter.com/404_when-can-i-hear-my-babys-heartbeat_10349811.bc) the heart starts to beat at around 6 weeks and should be detectable at around 8 weeks.

Why do you ask?

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/womens-health/unprotected-sex-776262.html

Have you seen your OB/GYN yet? She/he can answer your questions and give you options. When scheduling an appointment out of the ordinary as is in your case, it's crucial why you need to be seen immediately so decisions can be made in a timely fashion. Your options decrease the longer you prolong implementing them.

Thank you all for your responses. To answer the question on why I ask, it has to do with the fact that I am not 100 % sure on whether I would want to continue to make the decision to go forward with my pregnancy, I figure if I can do something about it while its not too late I would choose to do so without feeling any regret on the decision that I made.

D&C (Dilation and Curettage) Procedure: Surgery and Recovery (http://women.webmd.com/guide/d-and-c-dilation-and-curettage)

This is a common practice in my country, and somewhat routine, even among married women with children, and who hope to someday have more.

Is this an option in your country?

I am not familiar with that at all but it does sound familiar to what most women would do if they are not planning to continue with their pregnancy and that is the abotion pill. I know most likely that taking the abortion pill would be my option to take but again I would just like to know what other peoples opinions are on where they think the baby's first heart beat begins because I know that before the baby actually starts to develop in the uterus the women's body starts to prepare for the living human being to grow in the first few weeks

I will add, the issue is you already think of it as a baby, and are trying to justify at what point to end or not to end. The truth, many women will have regrets no matter when they do. Other women will have none. My cousin has been treated for depression for years because of her abortion, she can not walk past a play ground without thinking, her "child" could have been there.

Thank you for your feedback, I agree 100% but I would like to know what anyone else's opinion would be on if taking the abortion pill earlier in the pregnancy would be a lot more on the safer side then to have a surgical abortion done while 6+ weeks.

I think a decision made sooner rather than later is best, and whatever your doctor recommends is very crucial. Only your OB/GYN can give you sound medical advice based on medical facts and not just feelings. Then you can base your decisions on the facts, and not just feelings. Crucial that you have that consultation with him/her soon as possible.

I have little doubt you don't have enough facts because you have not asked the right person for them, so don't know all your options as yet. I am willing to bet your doctor knows of the procedure I linked before, and is more common than you think. Please avail yourself of getting facts from the right person, and not just opinions of strangers or even friends who may not be in your position.

There will be long term challenges to whatever you decide to do for sure, and risks either way, and a doctor guiding you through this process will help you decide what's best for you. And won't judge your actions, but give the expert medical support and follow up to insure a safe healthy outcome. I think that removing a pea sized tissue from your body is better than a more developed fetus so sooner rather than later is my opinion.

Asking a doctor for options sooner, will cancel the need for abortion surgery later.

talaniman: "When scheduling an appointment out of the ordinary as is in your case, it's crucial why you need to be seen immediately so decisions can be made in a timely fashion. Your options decrease the longer you prolong implementing them."


I agree with what you said 100% because it does make a difference when your trying to make a difference in a life changing decision. I will forever keep this in mind and will make sure that this would be a first and last time situation that I would ever have to go through in life. Thank you : )

At 5.5 to 6.5 weeks is when the fetal heart rate can be detected.

Remember that gestational dating is only an educated guess 2 weeks either way. If you are considering terminating the pregnancy, and I won't judge you on that, it is necessary to seek medical attention before it is too late.

In my opinion, just because the fetus has a heartbeat at 6 or 7 weeks, per say, doesn't mean that it is a viable pregnancy, and that abortion, if considered is still an option.

talaniman: "There will be long term challenges to whatever you decide to do for sure, and risks either way, and a doctor guiding you through this process will help you decide what's best for you. And won't judge your actions, but give the expert medical support and follow up to insure a safe healthy outcome. I think that removing a pea sized tissue from your body is better than a more developed fetus so sooner rather than later is my opinion. 

Asking a doctor for options sooner, will cancel the need for abortion surgery later."

Your information has helped me come to an ease on my thoughts on the whole situation, I have to say that sometimes hearing other peoples thoughts and speaking to someone can really help. I meet with my gyno on Monday and from this point on I hope everything goes well with the decision I make and again thank you : )

Good luck to you, whatever you decide.

thank you