I went for my first ultrasound today and they measured the embryo at 5-5.5 weeks instead of 7 and could not see a heartbeat for sure. What are the chances that my due date is wrong and the baby is ok? I do have a longer cycle than most people. More like 6 weeks than 4 weeks. Help! I'm so scared!
2007-02-26 01:27:08 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
First, let me say, I am shocked that someone claiming to be a nurse would give such bad information. Shame!
Now, ultrasounds conducted before 11 weeks after the first day of your last period are excellent for confirming due dates and fetal age. They are more reliable than using the first day of your last period because women ovulate on different days. You have to understand that the traditional method of calculating gestational age is determined by the fact of a 28 day cycle, with ovulation occurring on the 14th day. If your cycle is more like 42 days (6 weeks, as you said) it is almost definite that you ovulate later than the 14th day of your cycle. Even saying you ovulate in the middle of your cycle, it would be more like the 21st day, but you could ovulate even later than that!
Ovulating on the 21st day would mean your baby would be a week younger than you thought, if using your period as a marker. That would make you 6 weeks pregnant instead of 7. Having said that, due dates that are off by less than 7 days are usually not a big deal, as anything between 38 and 42 weeks is considered normal for a baby to arrive.
There is probably nothing wrong with your little one, you are most likely just one of the many women who ovulate later in their menstrual cycle. Go with the due date provided by the ultrasound, and relax! I hate to say this, but at this early date, even if something were wrong, there would be nothing that could be done about it. You'll have to wait until around 12-14 weeks before any sort of intervention could even be discussed.
Remember to take your prenatal vitamins, drink plenty of water and milk, get the recommended servings of food from each food group, and try not to stress. Stress releases certain endorphins into your body that are notorious for causing low birth weight and fetal distress. You'll do yourself and your baby a world of good by relaxing.
Your baby will be monitered through out your pregnancy for proper size, by noting your weight gain, fundal height (the height of your uterus), and another ultrasound around 18-22 weeks. If something is wrong, you'll find out soon enough. For now, just relax and enjoy being in that first glowing trimester, when you have a secret the rest of the world doesn't know.
Good Luck!
2007-02-26 01:39:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing to be scared of. I had the same thing happen. I thought I was 10 weeks and they said I was only 9. I had a long cycle as well. The baby is fine just measuring @ 5.5 weeks instead of 7. Happens everyday.... congrats
2007-02-26 01:49:52 · answer #2 · answered by ShanaJ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They told me that the date could be off at least a week. The dr. told me things like the sperm can hide out & it's not exact. Don't worry. A lot of people's due date change when the get measured on ultrasound.
I'm sure your baby's fine. the heartbeat I 1st saw was at 6 weeks...it was so faint you wouldn't even know it was one. I had to go to the hospital to see it because I had spotting. I'm sure everything is fine for you! :)
2007-02-26 01:31:12 · answer #3 · answered by Tracy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Relax!! It's very common for an ultrasound to give you a different due date than what was originally calculated using your last period date. At 5 - 5.5 weeks, it's hard to get the heartbeat because its so tiny. Don't worry, chances are very good that everything is fine. Your long cylces probably accounts for the 2 week difference.
2007-02-26 01:33:17 · answer #4 · answered by Lori 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If your cycle is longer than usual then your ultrasound is probably right. I had the same problem with all my pregnancies. I never went by my last period, only what they told me from the ultrasound and they were right on the money. As for the baby, I'm not to sure. Good luck
2007-02-26 01:36:07 · answer #5 · answered by pookie199799 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that isnt much of a difference. they wouldnt have sent you away if they felt something wa swrong. on your next appointment they should hear teh heart beat. it is always a nervous time when you find out as early as you did because not everything that shows us that everything is okay isnt completely developed yet. My due dates were all wrong until my ultra sound. the measure the baby and that tells them about how far along you are by teh progression of the baby. I would say you are fine. dont stress and be excited for your next appointment.
2007-02-26 01:40:28 · answer #6 · answered by Mrs.Vick 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you're probably a little off on the due date--you didn't get pregnant as early as you think you did. That's all it means. They can't see the heart beating that early, so everything's fine unless you've had any bleeding, which is usually the first indication of a miscarriage.
2007-02-26 01:50:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had an ultra sound last week and they moved my due date from September 2nd to August 24th.
It is just a more exact way to determine exactly how far along you are.
2007-02-26 01:35:43 · answer #8 · answered by hollilynn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
truly it happens alot of times your due date might be pushed up a week next dr app. you never know.-kristy
2007-02-26 02:04:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you've been sleeping around (and are unsure who's the father) there's nothing to be worried about!
2007-02-26 01:34:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋