It is always a great moment for parents when they hear their baby’s heartbeat for the very first time during pregnancy. But did you know that the fetal heart rate can vary according to the gender of the baby?.

Fetal Heartbeat and Gender

The fetal heart rate starts around six weeks after conception, and it increases every week until the eleventh week. After that, it maintains a stable rate until delivery.

The average fetal heartbeat is around 120-160 beats per minute, but many factors can influence it, including the baby’s gender.

Research on Fetal Heartbeat and Gender

Several studies have analyzed the relationship between fetal heartbeat and gender, and they have found some significant differences between male and female fetuses.

One of the earliest studies was published in 1971 in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The researchers recorded the fetal heart rates among 200 pregnancies and found that the male fetuses had a significantly lower heart rate than female fetuses.

The average heart rate for male fetuses was 139 beats per minute while that of female fetuses was 146 beats per minute.

Another study was published in 2006 in the journal Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy. The researchers analyzed 477 ultrasound recordings of six groups of fetuses between eight and 39 weeks of pregnancy.

Related Article Sex-Specific Differences in Fetal Heart Function

They found that the heart rate of female fetuses was faster than that of male fetuses by around 3.5 beats per minute.

How Can Heartbeat Reveal the Gender of the Baby?

Some people claim to be able to determine the gender of the baby based on its heartbeat. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.

The gender of the baby depends on the chromosomes it inherits from the mother and father, and it has nothing to do with the heart rate.

Factors that Can Affect Fetal Heart Rate

There are several factors that can influence the fetal heart rate, including:.

• Maternal age: The heart rate may be higher in mothers over 40 years old.
• Maternal weight: Obesity may lead to a faster heart rate.
• Maternal stress: High levels of stress hormones can increase the fetal heart rate.
• Fetal movements: Fetal movement can accelerate the heart rate in response to glucose and oxygen demands.
• Fetal position: The fetal heart rate can vary according to the baby’s position within the womb.

Conclusion

Exploring gender differences in fetal heartbeat can be fascinating, but it is essential to remember that the heart rate alone cannot reveal the gender of the baby accurately.

Several factors can influence fetal heart rate, and it is essential to consult with a healthcare provider to monitor the fetal heart rate throughout pregnancy.