At what gestational week is the fetal heart rate most likely detectable by auscultation?

The fetal heart rate is most likely detectable by auscultation around week 10 of gestation. During the early stages of pregnancy, the fetal heart begins to develop, with detectable electrical activity typically recorded via ultrasound around 6 to 7 weeks. However, the ability to hear the fetal heartbeat using a Doppler device via auscultation becomes feasible at around 10 weeks. This is because, by this point, the heart has developed enough to beat strongly enough to be heard through the abdominal wall, offering a reassuring sign of fetal viability and health.

As gestation progresses, the heart rate can be appreciated more clearly and audibly as the fetus grows. Before week 10, while the heart may be functioning, it is often too faint to be reliably detected without specialized equipment. Thus, week 10 is the optimal timeframe for auscultation of the fetal heart rate, marking a significant milestone in prenatal care.