Discrepancies from dating scans - need I be worried?

[lynniep]

I actually don't think so - I just am

Basically I had a private scan done a two weeks ago. (For various reasons but mainly to put my mind at rest)

This morning I had my 'official' dating scan at the hospital, and its four days 'behind' what I was previously told. (She said I was 14+4 - I thought I would be 15+1)

To me four days seems quite a bit when they are that tiny. And the midwife wouldnt reassure me at all. But I think that maybe if it was something silly like she had a bigger screen to 'click' when doing the measurements, then it would be more accurate, and that would account for the discrepancy. Or maybe I should be worried that my baby is not growing?

I think I'm more anxious because it was quite a 'brisk' exam. She was obviously far too busy to do much other than say 'theres head, feet, hands, heart, spine' and seemed quite miffed when I told her I'd already had a private scan done. As in 'well what are you here for?' Well obviously I'm here because I'm entitled to be and if I'd been able to arrange an NHS scan sooner than this then I wouldnt have wanted a private scan. Plus a private dating scan is NOT classed as medical and therefore couldnt be used in my maternity notes. But I didnt say that, obviously.

Between my 12 and 20 week scan I had about a 2 week discrepency on both pgs on the first at 12 weeks I showed up exactly where I should be on the 20 week scan I showed up two weeks later than I should be. On dc2 I showed up exactly where I should be at 13 week scan but on the 20 week scan I showed up two weeks smaller than I should be. I think the earlier scans are more accurate and babies don't grow in a one size fits all. Hope this helps you to stop worrying

I got worried about my bean's growth at that stage as it was small at 7 weeks. But at 10 weeks it was bang on and by 12 it was positively oversized. I'm 25 weeks today and it's still measuring up!

Sorry your nurse was a cow a bit brisk with you. They really have no right to ruin these special moments!

I had a scan at 9+3 (turns out, was supposed to be 12 weeks) and I thought I was 10+1, so 4-5 days smaller. I then had a scan at 12+5 and baby was measuring 13+4, I think it can be quite difficult to be 100% accurate with the scans, when they are that small a mm here or there will give different dates. The bloke who scanned me second time said that it makes quite a lot of difference if the baby has its head tucked in or is having a stretch, so I wouldn't worry

In my first pregnancy I turned up to my 12 wk scan only to be told I was olny 10 wks and needed to go back as the baby was to small and wriggly to measure - I was so annoyed as I was 2 weeks back in by pregnancy book! But secretly pleased as I then had another scan so could have another peek

DD was then born on her due date so perhaps they were right all along!

This time round and I trundled along for the 12wk scan only to be told I was 10+4 and I needed to go back again as the baby was too small to measure - same story!

Its a shame when those doing the scanning are a bit brisk. On the second scan we took DD along and the nurse didn't even acknowldge that DD or DH where even there!

Thanks for reassurance chaps . apl, I wasnt actually allowed to have DS and DH in the room - she seemed pretty exasperated when we all trundled up after I was called, then just told them to wait outside.
I understand that, for various reasons, its easier for them not to have the whole family in there. But I did come out thinking, blimey, I'm glad that wasnt my first child and my first ever scan, or I'd have probably been in tears!

aw, sorry they spoiled such a special moment for your family. Hope you get another scan. Very true what is said above, if the baby is curled up the measurements can be off. Also, the crown to rump method is pretty crude at that stage, more like pin the tail on the donkey...

A beating heart's the main thing!