I'm sure my due date is wrong, only by 4-5 days but is it worth mentioning to consultant?

[Bearfrills]

I'm 26+4 with DC3, fifth pregnancy overall.

I know for a fact that the absolute earliest I could have conceived is 3rd June, putting my due date as 23rd February.

The hospital have put my date as 19th February.

DS was ill, then DD, then I had tonsillitis and was ill for two weeks, then DH was working late and (mildly embarrassing as it is to admit) with all that going on we didn't have sex at all in May.

The first time we had sex within the timeframe in question was 3rd June. I'm fairly sure I was ovulating that weekend, we were talking about TTC so I'd been tracking my cycles (I know it's not an exact science though).

By their dates I conceived without even having sex.

I'm aiming for a VBAC (I've had one VB and one EMCS) and going "overdue" will affect my chances, they've already said that if I go a week overdue they'll be booking a date for a section. If I decide ahead of that to have an ELCS it'll be booked for 39wks. This is all based on their dates though, by my dates I'd only be 2-3 days "overdue" and not a week, or for an ELCS I'd only be around 38wks and not 39wks.

Can I ask them to change my due date if I'm sure that they've got it wrong? At my 20wk and 23wk scans baby was measuring in line with my dates too but they've marked him as 'small for dates'.

Maybe they will but I doubt it.

I know for a fact my dates were right, I'd been writing EVERYTHING down for over year, taking ovulation tests the whole thing.

They had my day out by a week despite my telling them I knew for a fact what day I conceived.

It doesn't seem like that big a deal at the time but now I'm almost 2 weeks overdue it really is.

I'm in the same position as you - including the number of days out and hoping for a vbac. I'm trying to think about it in terms of being more confident in asking them to delay intervention by a few days if I do go 'overdue'. I'm keeping notes of my dates so that if it does come to it I have something concrete to back my arguments.

You might know when you conceived but you can't know when the egg implanted so I wouldn't bother mentioning it.

What was the first day of your LMP? That's what they start with...

No, but the egg can't implant before you actually have sex. Right?!

Which is what the dates suggested to you mean, yes?

If you wish to use your dates, then you may do so.

However, it is your baby, and your body. Rather than arguing over dates, if you don't want an ELCS just say 'thanks, but no thanks'. You don't have to do anything you don't want to. You are given advice. You are free to follow, or decline this. You can opt to have an ELCS at the latest date you wish (ie. 10,12,14 whatever days past EDD). I know some hospitals will not do an induction for a previous caesarean section, but if it is something you would prefer - then perhaps discuss that.

You could discuss your concerns with a Supervisor of Midwives, available 24/7 by ringing the hospital switchboard, or there may be a direct number on your handheld notes.

Hope this helps a little.

Agree you'd be better of saying no to the c-section if that's what you want.

I was told that they now only change your date if it's more than 7 days.

7 days out, if the scan has dated it x then it's unlikely to change unless it's out by 7 days.

You can try but they won't change it. DD2 was apparently concieved when DH was out of the country

They can't force you inti a cs though anyway though can they?

They can't force me into it but they can apply pressure, well-meaning professional opinion pressure but pressure all the same. And DH is a 'listen to the doctors' type so I know they'd try get him on side to try and convince me.

They've already said their policy is that I have to go to hospital as soon as I realise I'm in labour and I'll be monitored (they'll just admit me to the antenatal ward until I'm in established labour) and that they won't let me go on for "too long" before pushing for an EMCS so I already feel like I'll be on an invisible countdown the second I walk in the door.

That was from an SHO though, maybe I need to speak to the actual consultant next time.

Practice saying "thank you for offering your opinion" in the mirror.

Nope. They won't change it. mine is an immaculate conception too. Word of the scan is law apparently. They would only change if it was IVF.

Mine isn't a VBAC but am worried about induction. My MW has said she will support me if I go over and resist as she believes me .

My plan when I do go into labour is to not tell them until I'm ready to go to the hospital and I won't be 'ready' until I'm fairly sure I'm either in established labour or fairly close to it :o

That goes double if its something stupid like 3am when it starts, no way am I waking the two DCs up and dropping them at my parents' (or dragging my parents out of bed to come here and look after them), I'll be waiting at home until a decent hour.

Bear I really would discuss things with a Supervisor of Midwives.

Here is some information you might find useful.

www.nmc-uk.org/Documents/NMC-Publications/NMC%20Supervisor%20of%20midwives.pdf