When should fetal heart tones typically be heard for the first time?

Fetal heart tones are typically first detected using a Doppler fetal monitor around 10 weeks of gestation. At this stage, the heart's activity has progressed to a level that is audible with this technology. Starting from about 6 weeks, it is possible to visualize the fetal heartbeat via transvaginal ultrasound, but actual heart tones as detected by Doppler generally become audible around 10 weeks. As gestation progresses, the fetal heart tones become clearer and can be heard more consistently. This early detection is significant for monitoring fetal well-being and establishing an expected timeline for prenatal care.