Just had a scan - how accurate are the dates?

[Georgeoftheinternet]

Just had my scan and they are saying I’m 6 weeks plus 2 days. I had sex on the 20th and 25th of September. So just trying to work out which date would be the most likely conception date?

Hi there, @Georgeoftheinternet - we're just bobbing on here to say that we've moved your thread over to Pregnancy Choices, as requested. Hope that helps.

[quote Georgeoftheinternet]@CaraDuneRedux wow, what was your response to your DNA statement[/quote]
???

I thought you were asking whether dating scans had a margin of error because you wanted to know which of two possible occasions you might have conceived on.

Unless you're meaning something else by DNA?

@CaraDuneRedux sorry the IVF statement - that it could only be possibly be on one date to ivf?

Its not that the IVF date was out, it was that babies don’t grow exactly the same amount at every point. The dates are based on the size of the baby (which has a fairly big margin of error) but it doesn’t really make sense that every 12 week foetus will be 4cm for example, when 40 week babies can come out 6lbs or 10lbs, yet this is what those dating scans basically rely on.

Yes, I realise that's what was going on - but it was interesting because as an "elderly primagravida", they were very keen for my pregnancy not to continue beyond 40 weeks, so in fact adjusting the date by a week in the direction they did could potentially have put me and the baby at risk at the end of the pregnancy (the risk of premature placental failure sky-rockets once you're over 40).

Fortunately I had a very sane obstetrician who just arranged frequent doppler scans for me in the final weeks.

Generally speaking, early scans are accurate plus or minus seven days. With sex five days apart, you really cannot determine paternity from a scan and will need a DNA test.

Do you intend to terminate or does your decision depend on the paternity? It is possible to get a prenatal DNA test but you'll have to pay. And you might struggle to get results soon. Sometimes the test comes back as not enough DNA to make a judgement too. You may have to make your decision on whether to keep the pregnancy without knowing who the father is.

@Respectabitch I don’t know if I want to be a single parent or indeed a parent. Just don’t know.
I didn’t think that I could get such a strong pregnancy result 12 days post sex

No judgement here. Not wanting to be a parent is a very good reason not to become a parent. And even those of us who are married or stably partnered could end up as single parents - you can never count on always having someone there to help.

It is possible to have a clear pregnancy result 12 days after sex - I wouldn't make your decision on that basis tbh.

With both my pregnancies I tested on the day my period was due and 2 days later with the other one and the line was very dark. No "line eyes" needed it was incredibly clear. Also they dated me out by 10 days when I knew exactly when I ovulated as I have endometriosis so my periods are all over and I did ovulation testing.

Do you want to tell us anything more? Like your age, financial stability? Relationship? Do you want to just talk through your options? Or do you need time to think by yourself?

Absolutely no judgement from me either.

@OnTheBenchOfDoom

With both my pregnancies I tested on the day my period was due and 2 days later with the other one and the line was very dark. No "line eyes" needed it was incredibly clear. Also they dated me out by 10 days when I knew exactly when I ovulated as I have endometriosis so my periods are all over and I did ovulation testing.

Do you want to tell us anything more? Like your age, financial stability? Relationship? Do you want to just talk through your options? Or do you need time to think by yourself?

Absolutely no judgement from me either.

I’m 35 and financially yes ok (for at least a few years). Dad was a one night stand and I don’t have his details so can’t get child support. He also doesn’t want to know. I have no family support in the area to tell me what to do or help. I have mental health issues and I’ve tried in vain to get help but it’s impossible.

I’m mentally unstable at the moment and can’t get any support. Chance of a baby having a mental illness or a mother that’s unable to teach them social skills, emotional support or anything - too high.

Termination booked tomorrow. I have been manic for a few months which meant I was having sex unprotected with random people. Don’t belittle me by lecturing about STIs, just a gentle reminder in the form of a sign post of where to go is all that’s needed.

I had a termination at 30. Much the same, depressed and just forgot to take the morning after pill. Regretted not being a mum - but that’s because the guy was rich and I quite like them (still keep in contact).

So welcome to my life. I wish I was euthanise myself.

@Georgeoftheinternet I'm sorry you're in this position with no support. I don't really have much of use to add for you but couldn't not post something to you.

Absolutely no judgement or patronising, it's awful that you are not getting the support you need. Do you have a social worker or dedicated mh support? I know its all been affected by Covid but there should be something in place for you.

Hello OP, we are really sorry to hear you are feeling this way.

We hope you don't mind, but when these threads are flagged up to us we usually add a link to our Mental Health resources - here. You can also go to the Samaritans' website here, or email them on [email protected]. Support from other Mumsnetters is great and we really hope you will be able to take some comfort from your fellow posters, but as other MNers will tell you, it's really a good idea to seek RL help and support as well.

[quote majesticallyawkward]@Georgeoftheinternet I'm sorry you're in this position with no support. I don't really have much of use to add for you but couldn't not post something to you.

Absolutely no judgement or patronising, it's awful that you are not getting the support you need. Do you have a social worker or dedicated mh support? I know its all been affected by Covid but there should be something in place for you. [/quote]
I have tried every service and the nhs is so stretched they just don’t provide any support
For me.