Dates moved back at scan-worried!

[Elz1406]

Hi everyone

So this pregnancy has been full of worries so far with scary blood test results and other things! Now I have one more worry!

I went for 2 private scans before my NHS one - my anxiety couldn't taking it. The first one was a viability scan which put me at 7+4, I knew I could only really be 7+3 or 7+4 on that day so that was all good. Then I had one at what would have been 11+5 (where they also did my nuchal screening) and they gave 11+6 (not technically possible with the dates we dtd!. Then finally had my NHS one 13 days later and it was 13+3 so 2 days behind the 11 week scan and 1 day behind the 7 week one.

I know it probably sounds ridiculous that I had the 2 scans before but the date of my NHS one would have meant getting the nuchal results (if higher risk) when I was away with my friend and away from my partner. My mental health is pretty terrible and I couldn't face it. Turns out I was low risk for the trisomies but have low papp a.
Obviously now I'm worried that the growth has gone back by 2 days. Everything looked fine on the scan but concerned this means growth is slowing down. I mentioned it to the midwife and she said just disregard the non NHS dates which I'm trying to do but it's hard!
Has anyone has anything similar?
Thanks:)xxx

@Elz1406 I haven’t had anything similar but really try and ignore the non-NHS scans as your midwife said. Keep in mind that these measurements are taken by a person who is sitting clicking points on a screen. Early in pregnancy, clicking the tiniest fraction of a millimetre out either way will make a difference to the dating results.

I know pregnancy can be stressful and worrying (I obsessed over every possible thing too!).

You're talking just a few days here. The dating scans are pretty accurate as they go by organ formation on particular days between 11-13 weeks. Less accurate if you scan outside this. Dont forget the day you have sex might not be the day you conceived as sperm can live 72 hours. My due date on my 3rd child has moved a lot more- from 22nd October to 3rd November, which means I wasn't pregnant at my first doctor's appointment for pregnancy sickness. I really wouldn't worry, it works itself out. Very few babies born on due dates anyway. They pop out when they're ready. I can't go beyond 39 weeks for various reasons, so my 12 day date change is a little trickier and I'm having 2 weekly scans after 30 weeks to see when I can be induced or have a c-section. It's not all 100% accurate, babies are a bit different.

• or - a few days is completely normal! The scans are not 100% accurate for says, as the measurements are so tiny!

@Elz1406 I have low Papp-A and I was worried sick when I found out. But I'm now almost 37 weeks and growth has been fine. I agree with previous PPs - don't worry about a few days here and there; it's not 100% exact. There are variations, and you don't know exactly when the sperm met the egg, there's a window rather than an exact day!

Congratulations!

Listen to your midwife. The first routine NHS scan is deliberately timed to be at the right point for the most accurate dating, as well as for nuchal fold measurements. You know you can trust the private scan dates because they have you a date that is impossible with your own date tracking.

That all sounds completely normal.

You won't know when you implanted so your dates will always be a bit off.

Ignore private scans.

Babies growth can jump around a bit anyway! They're only human.

You sound overly anxious here

Dates are based on the measurement of the baby - they all grow at different rates. At my 12 week scan for my twins one twin measured ahead by 1 week and the other behind by 1 week - since I'm infertile cannot conceive naturally and they were IVF babies my "conception" date was set in stone - babies just grow at different paces

My NHS dating scan with DC1 was 7 days out based on LMP. It was impossible for it to be correct based on when I ovulated. Babies and humans don’t growth along linear lines.

According to scan dates my DD1 was conceived when DH &I were in different countries. There is no denying shes her fathers daughter.

By my period I should 23 weeks but by the dating scan I am 21+4 so my dates are well out by over a week but no concerns have been raised. On my last scan the sonographer said they have to tell you if they see any problems with growth so hopefully that will assure you that you will be told.

Dating scans are pretty accurate but still can be out by 5 days.

I had ivf for my second baby. So I know the exact afternoon conception took place, I know the exact hour transfer took place and I could exactly calculate my due date. The subsequent dating scan at 12 weeks was five days out.

You also need to bear in mind that conceiving naturally means the sperm and the egg might not meet for 6 days. So DTD isn't an accurate prediction of conception, it's just a rough idea.

The nhs putting your date back 48 hours isn't a big thing. Dating scans are the most accurate time in the pregnancy to date your due date. Your baby may be two weeks late arriving anyway.

That sounds completely normal. In fact, it happened to me - had a private scan at 8 and 12 weeks and the nhs scan at weeks. They were all slightly different in what they determined.

A day or two difference isn’t anything to be concerned of. It’s just very difficult to pinpoint the exact age.

With both of my pregnancies my due date was moved back by 6 days as I was measuring small. Both healthy pregnancies.

I wouldn’t worry about a few days; my dates didn’t correspond to conception dates as it can’t be that exact

A day or two is literally a non issue. There are only fractions of mm's between them, it isn't an exact thing.

I was always told a week either way wasn't a problem. I was scanned by my fertility clinic at 7 and dated 7+3 and my 12 week NHS was at 11+4 and I was dated 12 weeks. Which, considering I had IVF and knew EXACTLY when my embryo was put back, seemed a bit wild. But we are talking a tiny fraction of a mm here, measured via an ultrasound scan. It's not an exact science by any means and your dates seem absolutely perfect!

In a very similar way, they do growth scans which can be wildly wrong. I was told my baby was 6lb6oz. She was delivered the following day at 7lb2oz... the main thing is that the scans okay and normal!

There is some leeway either way due to the size and accuracy at that point. I had a private at 9+1 and they put it at 8+5 (3 days behind), then the nhs one at 13+3 put me at 13+5 (2 days ahead of when I ovulated). It’s also different machines, different sonographers etc. I don’t think you can compare them.

My baby is currently babbling on his playmat.

The early scans don't mean much and aren't dating scans.

Are you really worried about a few days?

Hi @Elz1406 honestly hun it's nothing to worry about.
Few days either side is normal.
Enjoy your pregnancy xx

Thanks so much to you guys for really lovely, reassuring replies. I find most people on here so non judgmental and kind. I really appreciate the effort people take to share and respond. Xxx

Also, yes, I really do worry about these things. I'm a highly anxious person and have also had OCD since childhood. I would love to not worry about this stuff but I think pregnancy is a huge trigger for many women!

I was such a worrier in my pregnancies too. In my first, I was put 7 days back at my 12 week scan, and then 7 days ahead again at 16 weeks so there is plenty room for error. If the person scanning you doesn't mention any cause for concern, try to trust them. I know how hard it is, it's a long pregnancy to worry about every little thing. Ask for help if you need it!

@Elz1406 please don't worry(easier said than done I know) I had 2 private scans before my 12 weeks scan and the dates were different for all. During my nhs scan I told them I was surprised at the date given, so they measured again and gave me another date and asked if I was happier with it?!? Honestly a few days either side are meaningless. Also they date at this scan so they have a starting point going forward to monitor growth. The date itself is pretty arbitrary.

@Elz1406 if you haven't already id definitely suggest reaching out to the perinatal mental health team. Like you I suffer with anxiety and OCD and pregnancy really did a number on me but the perinatal MH team were amazing!

I thought you were going to say weeks...but 2 days, honestly the measuments are so tiny at the point you're talking a miniscule amount. I was pushed back a week with DD, I knew full well when she was concieved and she made her appearance dot on my due date.