If you think the Doctor's wrong about your due date, how do you handle asking him?

Question

I am...according to the doctor...at 30 weeks. My husband and I both think he might be off because of a series of events that have happened.
1. We heard the heart beat at 12 weeks (the doc's 12 weeks)
2. We felt the baby moving at around the same time (a week
later)
3. The book he gave us to go along with is at least 2 weeks off
from my symptoms, and what the baby is doing
Also, we had two ultra sounds 1 week apart. One said the baby weighed 6 oz, the other said she weighed 1lb 4 oz (that can't be possible...)
I'm excited to have the baby, but I'm concerned that the due date may be off. I don't want to go into labor and the birthing center thinking I'm in pre-term labor.
How, and should I talk to my doctor about this, and make sure that we are all satisfied with the end result?

It doesn’t seem quite right to just blurt out, we think you are wrong on the due date…but is that what I need to do?

Answer 1

My doctor and I both thought I was two weeks further along than I was until I got an ultrasound. Even then, my uterus and my symptoms consistently indicated that I was two weeks older than the ultrasound said I was until I was 33 weeks along. Since then, I've been textbook inline with the ultrasound. The way the ultrasound technician put it to me is that since every baby develops at a different rate and since there is a huge range of what is considered "normal," they're more interested in the baby's stage of development than the actual conception date. You're fullterm at 37 weeks, and the normal range for delivery is between 37 and 42 weeks. The 40 week due date is arbitrary and rarely accurate, anyway, so I wouldn't sweat it too much. If you're really conserned, tell your doctor you're nervous and ask him if he'll schedule you for another ultrasound. This shouldn't be a problem unless you're on medicaid (which won't pay for a second ultrasound), and you're doctor will probably be fine with it since it'll tell him what the baby's up to now that your further along.

PS, I wouldn't worry about the two weights from your ultrasounds. I was worried to death because I never felt my baby kick when I thought I should have. He never did start consistently moving until he was around 33 weeks old because he likes to lay in funny positions where I just can't feel his movements. One day in the middle of pregnancy I got really tired and couldn't wake up for two days except to go pee and force myself to eat. On the third day, all my energy came back and I swear my belly had doubled in size. He'd just had himself a major growth spurt and sucked out all my energy while he was doing it. It happens that way sometimes.

Answer 2

Go to college, then medical school, and then question the doctor! There are many different things they base this on! If you had an ultrasound early on, as in before 12 weeks, it is very likely to be correct. There are certain embryonic markers that can tell them to an amazing deal of accuracy the exact age of the pregnancy. As the pregnancy progresses, there are other markers, as well. One of them is your fundal height. Different women FEEL things at different times. This has much more to do with the woman than it does the fetus! Even if the due date was off by two weeks, you would still be considered full term two weeks before the due date. If you have a question, ask, but I would not presume to think you know more than the doctor, particularly about things that you do not have the medical training to back up. In reality, you get a due month, as most babies are born between 37-42 weeks. People do not have a baby on exactly the day of the fortieth week, because everyone is different, and each baby is different. It is the same for animals. Even if you knew the exact date of conception, you are not going to have the baby in exactly forty weeks. The baby will come when it is ready. Try not to stress yourself out unless there is a good reason. Relax and let the doctor take you into their capable hands. This is what they do. They would likely not presume to tell the farmer how to run a chicken farm.

Answer 3

It is best to have an open communication with your doctor. There are many ways to say it without the "accusing" tone of "we think you are wrong on the due date". The books and the due date are only guidelines in determining when a baby will be born. Gestation is considered 40 weeks, but babies can come anytime between the 38-42 week period and that is perfectly normal for them. You could try saying something like, "I have been reading the book you gave me and I don't seem to be having symptoms that match with the due date you gave me." Or, you could say, "We are wondering about my due date and are curious to know how you figured that out." You can also try to figure it out yourself, which is how we used to do it back in the "old days" before ultrasounds were so commonplace. From the start date of your last period, count forward 40 weeks and see if that date is close to what your doctor said. Being 2 weeks ahead or behind the books could just be how your body is going through this pregnancy. The ultrasound is not an accurate predictor of weight. A lot depends on the abilities of the technician and the positioning of the baby during the ultrasound. My youngest was supposed to weigh over 8 pounds and she tipped the scale at just barely 6 pounds 14 ounces.

Answer 4

First 99% of all due dates are wrong. But if you think it is way off I would suggest saying something like this to your doctor

" My husband and I are concerned that some things aren't adding up with my due date, can we go over these things and see your take on them?"

If you have a good caring doctor he/she will want to address any of your concerns. If you feel really uncomfortable with the way your doctor reacts it's never too late to get a new one. Having a baby is such a personal thing you need to be comfortable with your doctor. Good Luck and Congrats!!

Answer 5

you need to be honest with your doctor. After all he knows everything else. Just tell him that you are concerned that you think the dates do not match up and you would like to have things looked at again. Especially if your ultrasounds were totally different. My ultrasound is 2 days off from my date of conception.

Answer 6

The baby will come when it is ready. Don't worry about the birthing center, they know the difference between pre-term and regular labor. Try to relax and enjoy these precious months.

Answer 7

I think you're putting too much thought into this...everything will be fine. Even if you did go into labor and they thought it was preterm, it wouldn't be that big of a deal...if you're not preterm they will know that by the baby's weight. Just talk to your doctor...if he's that hard to approach I would consider switching.

Answer 8

There is not way to be exact with due dates of babies. You should just tell the doctor your concerns and have he or her reconsider the date or at least explain his/her reasoning.

Answer 9

Just tell him or her . Ask, Can we recount as to when I maybe due to deliver. I've thought about and the information that i gave you may have be wrong. This is my new information . Okay when is my due date.
Just remember that the calculation is from the information supplied by you. books are for theory.

Answer 10

Share your concerns with the doctor and ask how the due date calculations were made. You are paying the bill and it is your baby so don't be afraid to ask.