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Auscultation of the fetal heart in early pregnancy

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Abstract

Introduction

Auscultation of the fetal heart is a common event in antenatal care, in early pregnancy it may be associated with false negative results, which require ultrasound scan to confirm fetal viability.

Methods

We studied 197 women in early pregnancy to determine the gestational age at which the fetal heart can be reliably identified and the factors which determined the accuracy of the test.

Results

The proportion of successful auscultations increased with advancing gestation (p < 0.001). There was no effect of maternal body mass index or the level of midwifery experience.

Conclusion

For a sensitivity of 90%, the fetal heart should be auscultated after 13 week gestation. If a sensitivity of 80% is acceptable the fetal heart can be auscultated after 12 + 1 week gestation.

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Conflict of interest statement

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Blackburn Hospital, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Haslingden Road, Blackburn, BB2 3HH, UK

    James Rowland, Alexander Heazell, Cathie Melvin & Simon Hill

  2. Maternal and Fetal Health Research Group, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK

    Alexander Heazell

Authors
  1. James Rowland
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  2. Alexander Heazell
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  3. Cathie Melvin
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  4. Simon Hill
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to James Rowland.

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Rowland, J., Heazell, A., Melvin, C. et al. Auscultation of the fetal heart in early pregnancy. Arch Gynecol Obstet 283 (Suppl 1), 9–11 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-010-1563-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-010-1563-5

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