Very down today about my dates being wrong

[Jo_banana]

I thought I was okay with it but I'm not. For those that didn't know I had a private scan last night, thinking I was about 6 weeks. But they could only find the gestational sac that measures around 4 weeks and 4 days. I paid for an early scan because I want to make sure things are ok from the off this time as my last pregnancy my baby was diagnosed with a birth defect at 12 weeks.

Given I did the test 2 weeks ago and got a positive I had assumed I was further along than I was. I only used a bog standard pregnancy test and I didn't think they picked up the hormone so quickly. But I have done some reading and they can do, if your body has produced enough hormone quickly enough. They can show you pregnant quite quickly after conception. I had assumed that if you got a positive, you were 4 weeks along. Which it seems is not true and not in my case.

I guess I'm really confused about dating and weeks. For sure I know the definitive is really the ultrasound I had which measured the sac and gave a date. I simply don't know the day my last period started. Don't remember. I took the test initially as I had a "feeling" I was pregnant (having been pregnant before, you get to know your body like that). I don't doubt the ultrasound date. They seemed confident (they were very nice there) and said that the sac was presenting very well and all looking good. Missed miscarriages tend to show up with the sac looking deformed and ragged. Mine was round and as it should be and dated right for only showing the sac and nothing else. The yolk sac doesn't show up till after 5 weeks apparently and the fetus/heartbeat after that. Went home and did another test and yes, very much pregnant. I've had no bleeding or anthing bad. So just have got it very wrong about my dates.

But at the end of the day I still don't really have a due date, never got the assurance I need that its all going ok (not really, as I didn't get to see a heartbeat or see the fetus there as it was too small) and have been left feeling confused and sitting here going over dates in my head and thinking depressing thoughts. Full of a cold too, which ain't helping.

Sorry, just needed to let it out.

 

[Worrisome]

Aw hun your also full of hormones. Not sure what I can say really, Its only 3 weeks and then you can have another scan, which I know it feels like an entirity but it is only 3 weeks.

 

[jojoD]

Uck pet, sorry to hear you're feeling down. You'll go out of your mind trying to go over dates in your head. Im sure its the shock as thats not what you had expected to hear. I got a BFP three days before my missed period so you really just could be that early on. Here is the wee bit of info you should be thinking about:

'They said that the sac was presenting very well and all looking good'

Try to think about that instead. I know its easier said than done though. Big hugs your way

 

[Jo_banana]

Thanks guys, I know I need to think positive. Just woke up feeling deflated as I didn't get any answers from the scan, just a bit "WFT" moment when I realised my dates were so out of whack.

I must be patient. The weeks are gonna drag!

 

[Gizmo]

Just like people ovulate late, some people can ovulate early too which would send your dates off, the earliest I have ever seen a +hpt is 7 DPO, which would put your US date right if you O'd early..... If your sac looked good im sure the next US will see a fetal pole.... hang in there, the first tri is always the most trying.

 

[Mum22GTTC]

Hi Jo, I don't know if this will help (or if makes sense), but I've been having a think about your dates

You said that you don't know when your last period was, so from that I take it you would'nt have known when you ovulated?

So potentially when you took your test you may have only ovulated 7 days before - so in theory you may then of only been 3 weeks pregnant, rather than the 4 weeks you thought you were. (It is possibe to get a postive at just 7 days past ovulation)

So then if you were really 5 weeks pregnant when you had your scan rather than 6 weeks, it makes prefect sense that the scan could have measured you at 4 weeks & 4 days (only 3 days off) as early scans are not 100% actuate.

In fact no scans are 100% accurate, but your 12 week scan is the most accurate. My 12 weeks scans have always put my dates forward & suprise, suprise these dates have meant that my babies are born over a week late - but by my dates the have been only a day or so late.

I hope that all makes sense & helps

Try not to worry

 

[babyjiva]

I'm confused too! i have my first scan and I'm worried they'll tell me my due date is wrong. They tell you go by the first day of your last period and that's how far along you are, but then to me it seems that when they see the embryo, they then go from how old the embryo is....which of course is 2 weeks younger because we do not conceive until 2 weeks after our period. This is not a scientific answer, but it seems like what's happening. I'd love to know but I guess I'll find out today because if it happens to me I'm going to ask what is going on!
Sounds like you're worried about the babe more than anything. I think I'd die if I had to be in first trimester 2 weeks longer than I had expected! but I'm pretty sure things are okay with my bean. I will say a prayer for you. In the meantime, try to remember there's not a lot you can do and it's actually best for your little one if your spirits are up .

 

[skyrocket]

hey hun.
what was the first day of your last period?
if you put that into an online preg calc it will tell you your due date
xxx

 

[Jo_banana]

hey hun.
what was the first day of your last period?
if you put that into an online preg calc it will tell you your due date
xxx

Yep, don't know the date is the honest answer. We have just moved house and its been rather hectic and the days have all merged together. My last period was around the first half of Feb. Ish.

So the date from the ultrasound is the best I can go on really. Just that my hormones kicked in quickly after conception and enough to show on the test from early on. So took test at 2 weeks (or thereabouts) from conception, and not 4 weeks.

I've done some research here today, and it seems the standard "once you take your test and get a positive you are 4 weeks pregnant" isn't entirely accurate. Necessarily. But its just easier to say it like this to give a "rule of thumb" rather than to be taken literally. We are all individuals and all ovulate at different rates. I haven't kept tabs on my periods for years to any great extent. Just they happen, you get the tampax out, they end and that's it till next time. I used to be 28 days like clockwork, but I just don't know these days as I just don't pay much attention as life is busy lately and I lost track....

 

[rai]

Acck!! Just wrote a post and internet went out.

For tracking your LMP:
Is it possible you can think about some personal experiences about what happened? Let's say if you wanted to wear and outfit and then changed your mind because of AF and if you can remember the day you wanted to wear the outfit..maybe you can remember the day AF came.
Otherwise, is it possible you may have posted in on the TTC forum? If so, maybe you can do a search..

I know you are disappointed about the age of you LO..but try to take comfort in the fact that things are progressing as they should and your LO is nice and safe inside of you.