Heart Rate

Heart Rate

The Common Vein

Copyright 2008

Intrauterine Pulse Rates

The fetal  begins beating at a rate near the maternal rate at rest, being about 75-80 beats per minute (bpm). By 7 weeks (LMP week 9) it accelerates to  165-185 bpm, an increase of 100 bpm in the first month.  It then decelerates to about 150 bpm  at week 13 (week 15 after the LMP), and by term it is about 145 bpm.

There is no difference in male and female heart rates before birth.

 bat 750
mouse 530
hamster 450
 rat 330
guinea pig 280
chicken 280
squirrel 250
rabbit 205
monkey 190
skunk 170
cat 120
goat 90
sheep 75
man 70
giraffe 65
ass 50
horse 45
lion 40
elephant 35
camel 30

 Modified from The Merck Veterinary Manual 6th Edition 1986