Bringing life into the world is a beautiful thing, but during pregnancy, women not only have to endure the discomfort of morning sickness, body changes, and increasing clumsiness, but also suffer from psychological stress. Especially for women who are newly pregnant and inexperienced, if the fetal heartbeat and embryonic buds do not appear normally, it is inevitable for the expectant mother to feel anxious. Just after conception, the development period of the embryo begins, and the fertilized egg implants to form the embryo. The fetal heartbeat and embryonic buds are essential substances for the formation of the fetus, but their appearance can vary in timing. The time they appear is related to the menstrual cycle. If the menstrual cycle is longer, the appearance of the fetal heartbeat and embryonic buds will be correspondingly delayed. Generally, if the menstrual cycle is regular, around 28 days, the gestational sac can be seen in the uterus by ultrasound around 35 days after the last menstrual period. Around 6 weeks of pregnancy, or about 42 days, the primitive heart tube pulsation and embryonic buds, which are the fetal heartbeat and embryonic buds, can be observed. By around 14 weeks after the last menstrual period, the fetal crown-rump length can be measured by ultrasound. Between 9-14 weeks after the last menstrual period, severe fetal malformations, such as anencephaly, can be detected by ultrasound. If the menstrual cycle is regular, the earliest time to observe the primitive heart tube pulsation and embryonic buds is around 6 weeks of pregnancy.
The latest time for the appearance of embryonic buds and fetal heartbeat is generally around 6-7 weeks, and sometimes as late as 8 weeks. In some cases, embryonic buds can be detected by ultrasound as early as within 5 weeks. However, the fetal heartbeat usually appears by 8 weeks. Many pregnant women may find that by 7 weeks, there are embryonic buds but no fetal heartbeat. Some women may not detect a fetal heartbeat even by 8 weeks or later, which could indicate embryonic arrest, meaning the fetus has not developed. Fetal development progresses weekly from the beginning of pregnancy, and if it remains in the gestational sac stage, with a particularly large gestational sac but no development, it is likely embryonic arrest. If a pregnant woman experiences vaginal bleeding early on, it could indicate a miscarriage. However, the final diagnosis should be based on ultrasound monitoring, and one should not be overly anxious. If bleeding occurs, monitoring human chorionic gonadotropin and progesterone levels can help determine the timing of the gestational sac's appearance. After becoming pregnant, women should pay attention to maintaining a balanced diet, which not only helps to supplement the necessary nutrients for the body but also promotes better fetal development. Additionally, a balanced diet provides a better environment for embryonic development.
