18 weeks, but GP says "clinically 20"?

[FingonTheValiant]

Hi,

I'm 18+2 today and went to the GP as I have a temp. As part of the exam he decided to check the foetal heartbeat, and when he felt for the uterus he said that clinically I'm actually 20 weeks.

Due to a massive palaver, where he couldn't find the baby for over 5 mins and was starting to say I'd have to go for an ultrasound at the hospital, I forgot to ask what exactly that means.

Does that mean that I'm actually 2 weeks further along than was thought? Or is it just that the baby is a chunky monkey? Dh's family does have a history of 10lb plus monsters, so is it just that?

Thanks very much!

or alternatively that the GP is talking nonsense???

What was the date given to you following your 12 week scan? I would go by that date

how did you (or who) calculate that you were 18 weeks?

Date was originally calculated by me and confirmed by GP and midwife, using LMP and then 12 week scan, which makes me think it should be accurate.

I'd like to think the GP knows what he's talking about, but did wonder if he'd just got it wrong. He said the fundus is higher than the belly button which means I'm at 20 weeks. I had a feel as well and it does seem to be higher than the umbilicus.

Will just ignore him then until the midwife and/or 22 week scan confirms either way.

Thanks for the input!

My fundus was a fair bit higher than my umbilicus at 18 weeks! MW commented on it (this is my second baby), and said the same sort of thing as your GP - that generally the fundus goes above the belly button around 20 weeks - but just that I was carrying high/a bit on the big side - no question of altering dates. Dates were confirmed at mid pg scan, where baby measured biggish but not off the chart - I wouldn't worry if I were you, GP just speaking a bit thoughtlessly, forgetting how we can seize on these things!

"Clinically" twenty weeks means your symphysis-fundal height (length between your pubic bone and top of the uterus) is about 20cm. At most trusts SFH measuring (whether with a tape measure or by feel) does not start until 24 weeks as before this it is inaccurate. Some trusts have a growth chart to plot the measurement on and some just have a rule of thumb guide - out guide is if the SFH is +/- 3cm from the expected value, then that is fine, any more than a referral to a consultant follows.

Your dates won't change at the 22 week scan - the date is taken from LMP and 12 week scan.

Great, thanks very much everyone! No need to start rearranging holidays and leave then, phew.