12 week scan and measurements don’t seem right

[Anxiousmess2O2O]

Hi, I’m wondering if anyone can help me? I had a missed miscarriage end of last year and fell pregnant again this year. According to my LMP I would be due around 22nd January. Because I am so anxious, I have had four scans before the official NHS 12 week scan. 3 private and 1 at the EPU. All of them were measuring ahead so that my new due date would have been 17th/18th Jan. The last scan I had on Sunday, baby was measuring 12 weeks exactly. I went to my 12 week scan yesterday expecting to be 12 weeks and 5 days but baby only measuring 12 weeks and 1 day. The sonographer didn’t seem concerned and said the baby’s position can affect the measurements but I am terrified something is wrong now. Has this ever happened to anyone else and had a healthy pregnancy and baby? Please help, I am driving myself (and my husband) mad! Thank you.

It doesnt sound like these extra scans are helping your anxiety, and although its totally understandable where the anxiety comes from, due to your past, i think a better way tk view this is ‘how do i address this level of anxiety’ rather than seeking reassurances constantly. You should be able to self refer for some anxiety management , if not approach your GP, as there are likely to be many more anxiety provoking appointments in the coming weeks! And learning how to manage this anxiety is an important part of becoming a parent. In situations like this we have to trust the medical professionals that if something was wrong, theyd tell us. What you’re describing sounds perfectly normal apart from having 4 scans by 12 weeks

I agree with the scans not helping your anxiety.
Yes I had a big bleed at what I thought was 12 weeks so went for a private scan and they measured me at 13+2 on the Friday and on the Tuesday NHS measured me 12+2. The sonographer on the Friday told me the NHS one would be more accurate. Honestly didn't give it another thought because baby was okay. Just measured a bit wrong the first time. He's one now

At that gestation the CRL dates a pregnancy +/- 5 days and so the NHS measurement is fine.

It sounds like you are cooking a healthy baby and congratulations are in order!

Most of us don't get 4 scans and have no idea if our babies have grown steadily or in fits and starts up to the 12 week point. You had a healthy scan and measurements that are right for your dates- that's good news, not something to panic over.

I understand the anxiety as I also had a mmc, but don't drive yourself crazy. It will be easier to relax when you feel kicks and have a proper bump. Just try and keep calm until then

I've got to agree, the extra scans are probably not helping you in the long run and are fueling your anxiety. The baby's position does effect the accuracy of the scan. Measurements are only an estimate and within certain parameters. If you are measuring around the right week, the days are neither here nor there.

I would recommend looking into ways that can help you manage your anxiety around your pregnancy. It is a long time and likely to make your anxiety worse if you do not manage it. Then when baby arrives, that can actually be even worse than pregnancy.

Congratulations @Anxiousmess2020! 12 week scan is a major milestone to celebrate, especially after an anxious first trimester. I just wanted to reassure you that, as others have said, dating from scan measurements is not an exact science. I got pregnant with IVF so we know exactly how old it should be but their estimates at scans still vary every time! Xx

I had the same op. I had a dating scan at 7 weeks and I knew I was 7 weeks, but then measured 5 days smaller at the 12 week scan. I was anxious because there were some fine margins with regards to mat pay, but anyway I now have a 12mo ds who is happy and healthy. I'm sure you'll both be fine

Measurements at this stage can be all over especially if you have had different scans elsewhere. Depends on baby's position when they were scanning you. Don't worry it all seems fine

Thank you so much for all of your responses. I am taking everything on board. I recognise that I have a pretty big anxiety issue and this does need addressing. The reassurance that the dates can change from other mothers who have had similar happen to them is a comfort and relief.
I am hoping as time goes by and my bump grows, I will start to relax a bit.
I don’t think I have dealt with the trauma of losing my first pregnancy (my 12 week scan was on Christmas Eve when we were told there was no heartbeat and I had a horrendous medically managed miscarriage on New Year’s Day which ended with me being taken to A&E in an ambulance as I lost so much blood). I just want to do everything I can to protect this baby and I’m so scared x

Sorry to hear about your previous loss Op and I understand your anxiety. I also had a MMC followed by an early miscarriage so was extremely anxious in my last pregnancy with my DD. I had scans at 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks and my due date started as the 5th then the 7th, then the 1st at 10 weeks and back to the 5th again at the 12 week scan. I was told that because the measurements are so small there is a lot of margin for different measurements and a couple of mm off can -/+ days off so they leave a 5 day margin for error.

Completely different to my MMC where measured normal at 6 weeks but HCg not doubling, measured 7+5 at 8 weeks but no change at 9 weeks despite heartbeat and still measuring 7+6. Confirmed no heartbeat at 10 weeks