Detection of fetal heart movement in first trimester of pregnancy using pulsed ultrasound.

A method is reported by which the presence or absence of fetal heart movement may be reliably detected by an abdominal approach from the 48th day of pregnancy onwards (menstrual age). The technique involves the use of commercially available diagnostic sonar apparatus using two display and time position modes in combination.A series of 106 examinations on 56 patients in early pregnancy is presented in which there were no false results.