Can't stop crying - baby measuring 8 weeks at 12

[Firstbornunicorn]

Had my 12 week scan today and the midwife couldn't get a good picture. All she could make out that was remotely baby-like was a foot. She could hear the heartbeat but not see it. She said that the baby was only measuring 8 weeks and asked about my dates.

My dates are correct. I'm 100% certain of that for reasons I won't go into now. Anyway, the date she gave means I'd have had a positive test before I was even pregnant.

I tried to tell her this but she wasn't interested. Attitude was very "stupid woman has her dates wrong". I had a scan at A&E at 8 weeks which was fine. She didn't have a record of that so wouldn't take it into consideration.

What do I do now? Just sit about and wait for my 20 week scan, when I'll actually be 24 weeks?! Just need a bit of a handhold, please 😭

@53rdWay it is weird. I don't know if maybe she was using different equipment than what the hospital would use, but she definitely said she couldn't see anything. And then suddenly went, "oh, there's a foot!" So I assume baby must have kicked to say "excuse me, I AM here, you know!".

@newrubylane I suppose that is true. I know my LMP dates are correct, because I was keeping track on my Fitbit app. And I KNOW my conception date is correct, because we did home insemination. And we've only done it once. DH has health problems which made it unlikely we'd have much luck the normal way. And then he was away for work, and then I went to visit friends in England. Positive test on the day I got back. So it has to have been then. I could see it being out by a week or even 10 days, but I just don't see how it could be out by a whole cycle. Or how it could catch up if it is.

Having said that, I was a tiny baby myself, just 5lb at full term. So I guess this baby could just be small, although I wouldn't think it's possible to measure so far behind at 12 weeks just by being a shortarse (which I still am!). Especially not since my husband is 6ft3 and built like a brick outhouse!

Hopefully this scan tonight will shed a bit more light. I feel better knowing that they can do an internal scan to get a better pic, just in case it turns out that I've got a particularly solid abdominal wall or something

Epu is a early pregnancy unit

Let us know how the scan tonight goes.

@RPC28 yeah, I know, I went there earlier in the pregnancy with a suspected ectopic

Good luck for tonight x

Thank you!

So sorry you have this worry. I went through similar when they told me I had my dates wrong when I knew I didn’t - was measuring 6+6 when I was supposed to be 8+4. They do treat you like you’re stupid.

I’ve noticed the crl was measured - did she tell you what the length is? How does it compare to your previous scan?

Good luck

@L0kiWh0 glad I'm not the only one who's had the "stupid woman" treatment.

CRL was reading 2.09cm but we don't have the measurements for our previous scans. The doctor at the emergency scan described the pregnancy as "perfect for 8 weeks", though, so presumably in range.

@Firstbornunicorn sorry you put epu (???).
I knew my dates and new 100% I was 10 weeks but they said I wasn't in the hospital. 🤔. Sort of similar. But then I mc so not sure but hope you get the answers you need

Hope you get good news tonight.

My measurements from my scan in this pregnancy at 8+4 were 2.1cm and was told spot on for my dates, so I can understand why she is saying 8 weeks based on those measurements. But like you said it’s likely she hasn’t measured properly - I don’t think you can distinguish a foot at 8 weeks. Mine was just a blob.

What time is your scan later? 🤞 you don’t have long to wait

@L0kiWh0 just a couple of hours to go!

Good luck tonight! I'm pretty appalled by how slapdash your scan seems to have been (and also that she dismissed the fact you'd had an 8-week scan previously) so I hope you get some answers. I hope it's positive news

Oh good luck!

Your MW sounds dreadful, she should definitely have called in a colleague for a second opinion.

Good luck for scan tonight, sonograms should always be carried out by a professional so hopefully she just didn't know what she was doing.

Good luck for tonight.

Good luck for your private scan OP, I really hope all is well with baby. Hearing the HB is a great sign and hopefully indicates that your midwife simply doesn't know what she's doing. On that subject, your midwife sounds incompetent. Is there an official body you can complain to about her? Or any options to request another midwife (this is pretty standard in the UK but I don't know about NI).

All the best for tonight, it sounds as if she just didn't have the skills to be operating the machinery so fingers crossed for a competent sonographer and a perfect picture!

By 18 weeks (the only scan in those days) my babies (both times) measured 12 weeks for dd1 and 14 weeks for dd2. They were both quite small at birth, just over 6lbs. I was too apparently. I hope you get the reassurance you need at the next scan

A whole month is a big difference to get dates wrong. I would defiantly book a private scan c

Good luck with your scan tonight x

Good luck tonight OP. My daughter has been to 'window to the womb' several times now. It will definitely be a much nicer experience than you have recently had with your midwife. (make sure to drink plenty of water before you go, as this helps to get clearer pictures for you to bring home).

Dont be afraid to ask any questions, thats what they are there for.

Please come back and let us know how you get on.

All the best for tonight OP. I hope you get someone more sympathetic and kind tonight!

Good luck for tonight, you’re doing the right thing getting a private scan.