when can you hear baby's heartbeat

A baby's heartbeat can typically be detected by ultrasound as early as 5.5 to 6 weeks of pregnancy using a transvaginal ultrasound, though it may appear as a small flicker at this stage. By 6 to 7 weeks, the heartbeat can be assessed better, and by 8 to 10 weeks, it is often possible to hear the heartbeat with a Doppler device in a routine prenatal checkup. Most women hear the baby's heartbeat clearly around 10 to 12 weeks of pregnancy during prenatal exams. The actual heartbeat is usually audible by a standard stethoscope around 20 to 22 weeks of pregnancy, while Doppler ultrasounds can detect it earlier.