At what developmental stage does the fetal heart begin to beat?

The fetal heart begins to beat around the fourth week of gestation. At this stage, specifically at approximately 21 to 22 days after fertilization, the heart starts to form and eventually begins its rhythmic contractions. This is a critical development in embryonic life, as the heart is essential for circulating blood and nutrients to the developing embryo.

By the eighth week, the fetal heart has fully developed, and its central structure is recognizable. However, the actual initiation of the heartbeat occurs just before the end of the fourth week. This timing is important for understanding fetal development milestones and is often assessed in early ultrasounds during prenatal care to ensure proper embryonic development. In contrast, by the 12-week mark, while the heart is well-formed and functioning, the initiation of the heartbeat has already occurred earlier.