6 Weeks Pregnant Measuring 4 Weeks on Ultrasound

Updated on May 23, 2011
A.J. asks from Kennesaw, GA
9 answers

March 30 was the first day of my lmp. My husband and I made love April 11 and 12. (we only made love those 2 days in April) I got a positive hpt on April 28. I went to my first prental appt on May 11. I was complaining of cramping so they did an ultraaound to make sure the pregnancy wasn't etopic. Well on the screen I was measuring small, only 4 weeks. I know that iss not possible because I am sure of my dates. I had an early ultrasound with my son at 6 weeks and he looked like a sweet little bean. I go back on Thursday. I was wondering if any other moms have had this happen and what was the outcome. Thank you.

I forgot to add that my midwife and I had the same calculations and due date. We were all expecting to see the baby and the heartbeat. Her guess is that the baby died at 4 weeks. I will keep you all posted.

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S.J.

answers from Saginaw on

two weeks off I wouldn't worry a bit! Congrats! But technically the baby is 4 weeks old today if you don't count the two weeks from period to ovulation.

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N.G.

answers from Dallas on

I agree with Victoria. I'm calculating four weeks as well. When calculating fetal age based on lmp, you actually are adding two weeks. The ultrasound machine does not. Sounds accurate to me.

And also, shame on your midwife for putting you in that much anxiety without having a doctor to confirm that.

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M.I.

answers from Albuquerque on

I'm wondering too if they were going by your lmp or the actual fetal age. I read that sometimes you don't see the heartbeat until after 7 weeks anyway so it may just be too early. I would *try* not to worry (I know easier said than done).

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J.K.

answers from Atlanta on

Good luck to you -- you've already been back and I hope it was just their math versus yours! I too charted and planned my pregnancies and my dates were all 2 weeks off theirs based on ovulation versus period-start date.

T.C.

answers from Dallas on

Two week difference is normal. My first always measured two weeks behind. She was born at 40 weeks 5 days (first time moms usually go 41 weeks and a day on average...I think). She weighed 7 lbs.

I've never seen or heard the heart beat until later on - closer to 10 weeks. I hope everything is okay!

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A.E.

answers from Biloxi on

I'm so sorry for this roller coaster you're on. I've been on it, and it's no fun. I'm afraid on the surface it looks like you may have a blighted ovum. A blighted ovum is when the baby stops developing very early on in the pregnancy, when it's so small the u/s can't see it. All it picks up is an empty sac. Unfortunatly, the body doesn't realized what has happened and continues on as if everything is okay, hence the continuation of pregnancy symptoms. However, it is still too early, in my opinion, to make a definitive diagnosis. I'm part of an online support group for women who've had blighted ovum losses (my first pregnancy was one) and there have been women who have been in your situation only to find out everything was just fine and went on to deliver a healthy baby. Six weeks for some pregnancies is still too early to see anything. The best thing to do is wait for your next u/s and see what the results are. You could also have your betas drawn to see if they're doubling every 48-72 hours. If they're not, it's an indication that something may not be right. I really hope and pray that everything is okay with your baby. If you have any questions about blighted ovums, or just need a shoulder to lean on, feel free to PM me.

A.

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T.S.

answers from Sacramento on

The fact that it's EXACTLY two weeks off makes me think your doctor or ultrasound machine counts the weeks differently than you do. There are two different, yet typical ways to count weeks of pregnancy. Some count from the first day of your lmp. Others count from conception/ovulation approximately 2 WEEKS LATER. More people use lmp now because it's an actual date on the calendar.

Sounds like you're doing the lmp calculation and the ultrasound machine was set to measure actual fetal age. No worries. I BET if you had the ultrasound monitor calculate due date, it would be the SAME as the date you figured based on lmp (it's just 38 weeks instead of 40).

HTH
T.

V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

I'm sorry. Maybe I'm doing the math wrong?
But April 11/12 to May 11 IS 4 weeks. Isn't it?

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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

It may be too early to be sure if there is any problem with this. Your doctor will have to monitor and let you know what it happening. I can only share my experience.

I had an US at 8 weeks, and the US tech told me that the embryo was measuring as 6 weeks. He couldn't even find it without doing the US vaginally. But then, we did see the heartbeat on the monitor. What I didn't know then was that the small size meant that the embryo was not developing properly. I miscarried two weeks later.

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