How reliable are dating scans?

[Coco2121]

Hi all,

I was wondering how reliable dating scans are? For absolute stupid and irresponsible reasons I have messed up a lot.

I think I know when I got pregnant, but there's a 10 day difference between two people. Will the dating scan be able to confirm the date?

I am scared to death of having to have a termination in case if affects future fertility. I am on the pill so no idea how this has even happened. Really struggling to cope with life right now :(

Anyway, thank you for your time.

They can only give you an estimated conception date which may help narrow it down a bit. You will need a DNA test to confirm paternity.

It may give you a decent idea, but that close together you’re going to need to do a dna test to know for definite. 2 of my dating scans were out by 2/3 weeks (I knew exactly when I conceived).

I'm pretty sure my dating scan is out by around 5 days. I think the official guidance is that EDD is + or - 5 days, but with only 10 days apart between partners I agree you would need a dna test to be sure as you also don't know when you actually conceived.

Bearing in mind that sperm can live in your body for 5 days before impregnating you, so that already lowers it to possibly only 5 days difference

The chances of a termination having any effect whatsoever on your future fertility are absolutely miniscule, probably much smaller than the chances that a full term pregnancy and birth would affect it. So don't go ahead with a pregnancy you don't want on that account.

As pp have said, 10 days would be a bit too close to call.
I absolutely 100% know my ovulation date as I was tracking with a temp monitor. But even so at my official dating scan I was dated a full week ahead which would somehow mean I was pregnant before I ovulated lol.

There is a dna test you can have done before the baby is born, but I think it’s close to £1000 so not cheap.

Good luck x

Thanks so much for all of your responses. Appreciate that you’re probably thinking what an absolute idiot so I appreciate you all taking the time to reply. Thank you x

@Coco2121 we promise we are not judging you. As others have said, its sadly too close to call, which I know must cause you a lot of stress. Best of luck moving forward, whatever you decide to do x

Terminations shouldn’t really affect your fertility. I’m guessing theres one man you’re preferring to be the father which is why the paternity may be important before the birth?

Yeah the preferred would be the first one, which I believe happened the week I was ovulating. The second guy was 3 days before my period was due and I know we’re not normally as fertile during that time. So I’m 90% sure it’s the result I want but I guess there’s just that small chance that it’s the other guy