How accurate are ultasounds at determining gestation age? Or any method for that matter?

Question

Ok, my LMP supposedly was Sep 15, 2007, (I know I did have a period) so my EDD was June 23.

I didn't take a pregnancy test until Oct 29, 2007. Between those times I'm not sure if I had a period, so there is a month an a half that is "MIA." I just remember thinking, "Huh, I haven't had a period in a while, maybe I should test." Sure enough, positive!

They wanted to induce me 2x but I turned them down because something just wasn't right to me.

When I called the Dr's office as soon as I found out (in Oct.) I told them I was PG and they didn't do a blood test at all, they said they trusted the test. They didn't do any other testing until "20 weeks" when they did an ultrasound. I don't know if they really even measured since they just assumed my Sep. LMP was "right."

What should I do? How accurate are ultrasounds later in pregnancy? Mostly I'm tired of them telling me I'll have a "dead baby" because I'm "overdue" (41w 6d supposedly.)

Answer 1

the doctors telling you you will have a dead baby i dont know what kind of doctor you go to but they are not suspose to say things like that and if they think you are or your baby is in any harm they are suspose to admit you in the hospital and induce you. not tell you you will have a dead baby. if you feel like they are wrong go to the hospital yourself and get checked out

Answer 2

At 5 weeks, it can be plus or minus 3 days.  7-12 weeks, plus or minus a week.  Anything after that, they can be off by as much as 2 weeks. Unless you had a history of irregular periods, there is no reason to take the ultrasound over the periods.

They shouldn't be bugging you AT ALL about an induction until you are 42 weeks.  Even ACOG says that delivery at 42 weeks is a non-problem.  In the meantime, if they want to carry on, they do non-stress tests.

Answer 3

I've had 3 different ultrasounds by 3 different people  at 3 different times and they were all giving me the same the same date.  And guess what?  My baby was born on that date.  So mine was very accurate.

Answer 4

U/S are right, thats how they normally determine the exact age of the fetus.  So if there suggesting getting induced theres a reason. They wouldnt' do it if they thought something would go wrong or you were too early! Its not good to keep waiting and there are chances of complications if you continue to wait!  If you tested on the 29th of october and it said positive then you were at least 4 weeks because hormones don't normally come up in urine any earlier! Therefore if your last menstrual period was the 15th of september you would be due June 21st! Even if you were later that means that now your over 2 weeks late and you would be safe!

Answer 5

ultrasounds are pretty accurate. Though they can be off by a week or two depending on where you got your ultra sound.

Have you heard the heart beat at the doctors office lately.

this would tell you if the baby heart was beating.

many people go over their day due date. by a week or two.

two weeks they will usually sceduale you in to induce.

If everything OK the baby will come when it wants.

I wish you the best of luck Hope everything is ok.

Also My last pregnancy I had a few complications so they sent me to a genetics doctor. They can give you the exact info you need. They specialize in all kinds of problems.

I went because I had a type of X ray that could have cause problems. So they deal with lots of situations.

Answer 6

they usually go with the date they get at the ultrasound