I was taken to hospital yesterday with suspected Pre eclampsia. They did a trace of the baby for half hour and its heart rate was anywhere between 117 and 196. The lady said that was perfect and that the heart rate is the same as ours in that if they are resting its low and if they are kicking about it will go higher. I had to press a button everytime i felt baby move, when i got a print out at the end the high bits of heartrate where the lines shot up were exactly where i felt the movement so its definatly true.
Also just like animals the smaller they are (ie the earlier in your pregnancy you are) the higher thier heart rate, it will probably get lower on average each time you go to the MW, mine did with both of my babies.
I know on the trace graph i got yesterday 174bpm would have been in the middle of the chart it went from 100 to 220 so that must be within the normal range. I bet LO was have a dance in there and you just couldnt feel it!!!
Sounds fine to me and MW would have reffered you for another heartbeat trace at hossie if she was worried.
