How Undergraduate Students Define Fetal Heartbeat

Start Date

12-4-2024 3:45 PM

Location

CASB 108

Document Type

Presentation

Abstract

Introduction/Background: As the conversation surrounding absorption becomes more widespread, the importance of comprehensive reproductive education has increased in importance. In the wake of the strike of Roe vs. Wade by the United States Supreme Court, the renewed attention on these topics has garnered questions about the teaching of reproductive physiology. Currently, the level of understanding among undergraduates about human reproduction remains under-explored. One such topic is the “fetal heartbeat”. At approximately 5 weeks of gestation, the heart structures of an embryo are not fully developed. However, a “fetal heartbeat” is commonly detected during obstetric visits despite the lack of heart structures. The fetal heart is fully developed (heart valves formed) at approximately 9-10 weeks of gestation allowing for the detection of a true heartbeat (Haghighi & Copel, 2022).

Research Question: What knowledge and misconceptions do undergraduate students possess about “fetal heartbeat”?

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted among 72 undergraduate students from two states. A standardized questionnaire, consisting of multiple-choice and open-ended questions, was distributed through an online platform to evaluate their knowledge of specific pregnancy-related topics and to capture demographic data. For the purposes of this poster, we analyzed the responses to the following question: “What is a "fetal heartbeat"? What structures or body parts are necessary and what is its function?”. Analysis used an inductive coding approach. Responses were first coded as “correct”, “partially correct”, or “incorrect” based on their agreement with primary medical literature. The “incorrect” and “partial” responses were analyzed for common themes or patterns of information or phrases.

Summary of Findings: Using these codes, results indicate that students have several misconceptions about the concept of a “fetal heartbeat”. Some of the specific misconceptions that will be presented at the conference include misconceptions surrounding structure, function, terminology, timeline of development, and more.

Research Significance: While undergraduate students possess a general understanding of human pregnancy, there are significant gaps and misconceptions in more intricate areas, such as fetal heart development. Since new bills related to pregnancy, and abortion access are being instated, there is a need for improved, comprehensive reproductive education for students to be well-informed citizens.

References

Haghighi, A. S. (2022). When does a fetus have a Heartbeat? timing and more. Medical News Today.https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/when-does-a-fetus-have-a-heartbeat#summary

Keywords

Fetal Development, Heartbeat, Pregnancy, Undergraduate Students, Misconceptions

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Apr 12th, 3:45 PM

How Undergraduate Students Define Fetal Heartbeat

CASB 108

Introduction/Background: As the conversation surrounding absorption becomes more widespread, the importance of comprehensive reproductive education has increased in importance. In the wake of the strike of Roe vs. Wade by the United States Supreme Court, the renewed attention on these topics has garnered questions about the teaching of reproductive physiology. Currently, the level of understanding among undergraduates about human reproduction remains under-explored. One such topic is the “fetal heartbeat”. At approximately 5 weeks of gestation, the heart structures of an embryo are not fully developed. However, a “fetal heartbeat” is commonly detected during obstetric visits despite the lack of heart structures. The fetal heart is fully developed (heart valves formed) at approximately 9-10 weeks of gestation allowing for the detection of a true heartbeat (Haghighi & Copel, 2022).

Research Question: What knowledge and misconceptions do undergraduate students possess about “fetal heartbeat”?

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted among 72 undergraduate students from two states. A standardized questionnaire, consisting of multiple-choice and open-ended questions, was distributed through an online platform to evaluate their knowledge of specific pregnancy-related topics and to capture demographic data. For the purposes of this poster, we analyzed the responses to the following question: “What is a "fetal heartbeat"? What structures or body parts are necessary and what is its function?”. Analysis used an inductive coding approach. Responses were first coded as “correct”, “partially correct”, or “incorrect” based on their agreement with primary medical literature. The “incorrect” and “partial” responses were analyzed for common themes or patterns of information or phrases.

Summary of Findings: Using these codes, results indicate that students have several misconceptions about the concept of a “fetal heartbeat”. Some of the specific misconceptions that will be presented at the conference include misconceptions surrounding structure, function, terminology, timeline of development, and more.

Research Significance: While undergraduate students possess a general understanding of human pregnancy, there are significant gaps and misconceptions in more intricate areas, such as fetal heart development. Since new bills related to pregnancy, and abortion access are being instated, there is a need for improved, comprehensive reproductive education for students to be well-informed citizens.

References

Haghighi, A. S. (2022). When does a fetus have a Heartbeat? timing and more. Medical News Today.https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/when-does-a-fetus-have-a-heartbeat#summary