Normal fetal heart rate is:

Normal fetal heart rate is:

• A. 60 to 100 beats per minute
• B. 100 to 140 beats per minute
• C. 120 to 160 beats per minute
• D. 150 to 200 beats per minute

Answer: (C)

Normal fetal heart rate sits around 120–160 beats per minute. This higher baseline compared with adults reflects fetal autonomic control and metabolic needs. Rates over 160 bpm are generally considered tachycardia, while sustained rates below about 110–100 bpm are considered bradycardia, depending on gestational age. Among the options, 120–160 bpm is the best match for the typical normal fetal baseline, whereas the other ranges are either too low or too high to be normal.

Normal fetal heart rate sits around 120–160 beats per minute. This higher baseline compared with adults reflects fetal autonomic control and metabolic needs. Rates over 160 bpm are generally considered tachycardia, while sustained rates below about 110–100 bpm are considered bradycardia, depending on gestational age. Among the options, 120–160 bpm is the best match for the typical normal fetal baseline, whereas the other ranges are either too low or too high to be normal.