Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
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 Ask Dr. Greenfield
Due Date Moved Back a Month | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Greenfield,
My original due date is Feb. 3, but after my ultrasound (at 22 weeks) they changed it to March 5. My husband and I were both only 5 pounds at birth and I am wondering if the size of the baby makes a difference in the due date they set with the ultrasound. Can you please help me??— Seriously Stressed!! | | | ANSWER |
February 28, 2002 | | | Dear Seriously Stressed,
Due dates can be very confusing. The most important principle is that in the second trimester, when you had your ultrasound, there isn't that much difference in size of babies destined to be big and those who will be smaller. All fetuses at that age are around the same size, which is why measurements can be used to indicate the gestational age. At 22 weeks, ultrasound is considered accurate plus or minus about two weeks.
That means that while their best estimate of your due date is March 5, you could have been anywhere from 20 to 24 weeks pregnant at that time, with a corresponding due date of sometime between February 19 and March 19. What this does mean, though, is that your due date could not be February 3, since that is outside of the two-week window.
It sounds like you are having a hard time believing that you are going to have to wait a few more weeks to have your baby. You really thought you were due February 3, and now that date has come and gone. Maybe you are just starting to believe that they were right to change the date. Unfortunately, in addition to the inexact nature of due dates obtained from ultrasound, babies can come anywhere from two weeks before to two weeks after whenever the real due date is. This means that your baby may be born anywhere from now through mid March. And while it can be frustrating to wait, it is usually best to let nature take its course, unless you get a week or two past the best estimate of the due date.
I hope that this answers your question and that you can find a way to change your mindset, so that you can enjoy what is left of your pregnancy, and minimize the stress you are feeling as your wait for your new arrival. Best of luck to you.— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. |
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