The most critical period of its development is between three and seven weeks after fertilization, when a simple heart tube assumes the shape of a four-chambered heart. In fact, the heart actually begins beating by the 22nd day of life.
When you are 5 weeks pregnant, your baby's heart is made up of two tiny channels called heart tubes and they're already hard at work, beating to their own drummer (it will be weeks before those beats become coordinated).
Usually the 5th week you will see the gestational sac but maybe no fetal pole. By week 6-7 you should see the fetal pole and if you're lucky a heartbeat. By week 8 you should get a heartbeat. So if you are only 5 weeks it sounds like your development is very good seeing both a fetal pole and hb. Did he mention what the heartrate was?? I am not sure what the "likely" fetal pole means because if there is a heartbeat then there is definitely a fetal pole there!!
A babies heartbeat can be detected by ultrasound anywhere from 5 1/2 to 7 weeks. It can depend on the equipment, the skill of the tech and a host of other things. So it doesn't mean the fetal pole and heartbeat aren't there, just that they could not be detected.
Unfortunately the only thing you can really do now is wait. A follow up u/s should be done in about a week and that should give you your answers.
Hi, I'm 6 weeks pregnant at the moment and i thought everything was going find until i got a call from my hospital telling me they needed to schedule me for an earlier appointment because when reviewing my ultrasounds they saw a problem with the fetus development. does anyone have any idea what this can mean? I would really appreciate it if you can help.
Sorry to hear this. I had never heard of this and did some research. This is what I found. Hope it helps and prayers for you && the little one :)
CPCs can form within this structure and come from fluid trapped within this spongy layer of cells, much like a soap bubble or a blister. CPCs are often called "soft signs" or fetal ultrasound "markers" because some studies have found a weak association between CPCs and fetal chromosome abnormalities.
) could be seen on a transvaginal ultrasound. I was pretty sure on that day I was 6 weeks and 1 day, however, the doctor said the size of the sac and the rate of the heartbeat was more like that of aprrox. 5 weeks. I am scheduled for another scan in 2 weeks but am, of course, worried waiting. I haven't had an massive pregnancy symptoms except for being very tired and mild breast tenderness and feeling of nausea. Has this happened to anyone else? Many thanks.
I believe it was just the gestational sac. Then the following week at 6 weeks 1 day, my doc saw the yolk sacs as well on both babies (twins), and saw the hearts beating on the monitor. Ultrasound at 7 weeks showed their growth progress and we heard the hearts beating via ultrasound. So don't get discouraged. Every pregancy is different. So they may see the yolk sac and a heart beat next time you go for your ultra sound. Good Luck to you.
If you break embryonic and fetal development into thirds then when you are in your 28th week the baby begins its final third of development. (Gestation is 266 days or 38 weeks of development). So either way you look at it you are in your 3rd trimester!
I had some spotting for the first 6 weeks of my pregnancy. I am now 9wks and no more spotting. I agree it does take some longer to see the fetal pole and heart beat. I am wishing you well on your appt on Thurs.
Week 6 - Gestational Age (Fetal age 4 weeks)
5 ½ to 6 ½ weeks is usually a very good time to detect either a fetal pole or even a fetal heart beat by vaginal ultrasound. The fetal pole is the first visible sign of a developing embryo. This pole structure actually has some curve to it with the embryo’s head at one end and what looks like a tail at the other end. The fetal pole now allows for crown to rump measurements (CRL) to be taken, so that pregnancy dating can be a bit more accurate.
The brain contains pockets or spaces called ventricles with a spongy layer of cells and blood vessels called the choroid plexus. This is in the middle of the fetal brain. The choroid plexus has the important function of producing a fluid called cerebrospinal fluid. The fluid produced by the cells of the choroid plexus fills the ventricles and then flows around the brain and the spinal cord to provide a cushion of fluid around these structures.
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