12 weeks pregnant and terrified of dating scan

[Rosabuddy]

I’m 12 weeks and 1 day pregnant and have my dating scan on Thursday. I had a private scan at 7 weeks 6 days (although sonographer said measurements showed I was 7 weeks 1 day) I saw a heart beat and the sonographer seemed happy with everything. I can’t help but worry about missed miscarriage when I go for my dating scan. I’m worried that measurements had me 5 days behind (I know when I ovulated as had been tracking) and that that was maybe an early sign that baby was not growing. Does anyone have positive stories they can share to put my mind at rest?

Hi @Rosabuddy I can't put your mind at rest but I can tell you I'm in an almost identical situation. I have my 12 week scan on Thursday, though according to the early scan I had I'll actually only be 11+3. I went for a scan at what I thought was 7+5 but what the sonographer said was actually 7 on the nose. She said everything was fine though and I probably just OVd a bit later than I thought. I did check the dates and it was definitely possible. But I have to say I'm also feeling really anxious about the scan on Thursday. Keep telling myself to relax but it's easier said than done!

If you've had a heartbeat detected then the odds are very much in your favour. It's natural to be nervous, but try to relax. Remember that the scan won't change anything, all it will do is make you more informed about what's going on, which can only be a good thing.

I think early scans can often be out, just a millimetre or 2 can make a huge difference at that point. I had an early scan that dated me a week ahead and by the time my 12 week scan came around my dates were bang on. I was really nervous at my 12 week scan, I think it's pretty normal. Good luck but I'm sure you won't need it.

Thank you both of you. It’s horrible not being able to do anything and not know what is happening isn’t it?! I haven’t had any sickness, just very tired and tender boobs and some back pain although back pain is less than it was. I think I just can’t believe I’m
Pregnant and I’m waiting to be told Iv miscarried because it’s too good to be true

I was dreading my 12 week scan. We had an early scan at what I thought was 9 weeks but that dated the baby as 8 weeks so I was worried as he was smaller that I was expecting. Everything was fine at the 12 week scan which dated him the week earlier that they had said. We've since had a gender scan at 15+3 which dated him at 16 weeks so he's caught up with the dates I initially had.
It's easier said than done but try not to worry, once they've seen a heartbeat the chance of miscarriage goes down to something like 5%.
Hope everything goes well for you

If it helps I was waiting to be told I'd lost him until the day he was born although I suspect that was actually the beginning of the anxiety that's bothering me now.

I did ovulation testing so I knew exactly when I conceived my son, but they measured me and put my due date at 3 days earlier which is impossible. My periods are not on a 28 day cycle hence why I was ovulation testing.

He is now 13 years old

It is totally normal to worry about everything in pregnancy. Good luck for your scan.

@Rosabuddy I don’t think they always get the dating correct to the day, I worked out my son would be born 23/11/18 they said he would be born 17/11/18 ( ok they had him one week older ) he was born in the 23/11/18 also Unlike over due babies he was still caked in the white stuff and my placenta still looked good so I reckon I got it right ... maybe you got it right to good luck ladies c x

Just because you know when you ovulated doesn't mean that you know when it was conceived. Sperm can hang around in your uterus for days (up to a week, I believe) before one gets into the egg.

It is totally normal for dates to move by up to 5 days at early/12 week scan. Try not to worry.

Good luck!

hi rosabuddy,

we had an early scan at what i thought was 7 weeks, but they dated me at 6+1 ( no heartbeat) so we were very worried and asked me to come back 10 days later. then i was 1 day ahead of what i thought it was and baby had a strong heart beat.

since then had 2 more private scans and all look good, im 17+4 and on last scan i was perfect on days.

i do believe such an early scans have a huge error on the measurements

all the best!!!

Thank you everyone. This week seems to be dragging in and I just want it to be Thursday so I can find out if everything is ok or not

Its normal to feel nervous but as pp has said when seeing a healthy heartbeat majority of the time everything turns out ok. I was a nervous wreck before my 12 week scan and was on the verge of tears all morning.
Good luck for Thursday!

Dating scans have a reasonable margin of error.

I conceived via IVF so I knew to the day (to the hour!) when I had ovulated and when conception took place.

For DC1, the dating scan was 3 days short (e.g. dated as 12+2 when I knew I was 12+5). For DC2, it was 2 days short. There was some argument about which date to use but a consultant ruled the IVF date was the correct one and scan date was out. Both DC we born full term at a normal weight.