Methods for Estimating the Due Date

With maturity, the size of the baby correlates less to its age than in the early weeks. There are two ways of having a seven week ultrasound. One is via the abdomen — transabdominally and the other is through the vagina — transvaginally. Some sonographers believe that at seven weeks of gestation, transvaginal ultrasound provides the best and most accurate visualisation.

With this form of scan it is not as necessary for the mother to have a full bladder. Later on as the pregnancy progresses, a full bladder is not necessary as the enlarging uterus is no longer contained in the pelvic rim. In very early pregnancy, the embryo and pregnancy sac may simply be too small to see very much at all. But with every day which passes, the embryo becomes bigger and more advanced in its development. At seven weeks of gestation it is still too early to identify what gender sex the baby will be. It is also impossible to do a thorough foetal screening assessment because it is still just too premature in terms of embryonic development.

In some respects the seven week ultrasound can be quite accurate because the embryo is developing very quickly. They are also not as mobile and active as they will be with future development. So obtaining accurate measurements and visualising them clearly on the screen is a little easier than when they are able to do somersaults and move around a lot.

Your Baby's First Ultrasound

Yes, you should be able to. This is also more likely if you are having a transvaginal ultrasound. But by the time the baby has developed to full term, this rate increases to around BPM. Accurate determination of gestational age can positively affect pregnancy outcomes.

For instance, one study found a reduction in the need for postterm inductions in a group of women randomized to receive routine first-trimester ultrasonography compared with women who received only second-trimester ultrasonography 5.

Week 8: Your Baby's First Ultrasound

A Cochrane review concluded that ultrasonography can reduce the need for postterm induction and lead to earlier detection of multiple gestations 6. Because decisions to change the EDD significantly affect pregnancy management, their implications should be discussed with patients and recorded in the medical record.


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Measurements of the CRL are more accurate the earlier in the first trimester that ultrasonography is performed 11, 15— The measurement used for dating should be the mean of three discrete CRL measurements when possible and should be obtained in a true midsagittal plane, with the genital tubercle and fetal spine longitudinally in view and the maximum length from cranium to caudal rump measured as a straight line 8, Mean sac diameter measurements are not recommended for estimating the due date.

Dating changes for smaller discrepancies are appropriate based on how early in the first trimester the ultrasound examination was performed and clinical assessment of the reliability of the LMP date Table 1. For instance, the EDD for a pregnancy that resulted from in vitro fertilization should be assigned using the age of the embryo and the date of transfer.

For example, for a day-5 embryo, the EDD would be days from the embryo replacement date. Likewise, the EDD for a day-3 embryo would be days from the embryo replacement date. Using a single ultrasound examination in the second trimester to assist in determining the gestational age enables simultaneous fetal anatomic evaluation. With rare exception, if a first-trimester ultrasound examination was performed, especially one consistent with LMP dating, gestational age should not be adjusted based on a second-trimester ultrasound examination.

Ultrasonography dating in the second trimester typically is based on regression formulas that incorporate variables such as. Other biometric variables, such as additional long bones and the transverse cerebellar diameter, also can play a role. Date changes for smaller discrepancies 10—14 days are appropriate based on how early in this second-trimester range the ultrasound examination was performed and on clinician assessment of LMP reliability. Because of the risk of redating a small fetus that may be growth restricted, management decisions based on third-trimester ultrasonography alone are especially problematic; therefore, decisions need to be guided by careful consideration of the entire clinical picture and may require close surveillance, including repeat ultrasonography, to ensure appropriate interval growth.

The best available data support adjusting the EDD of a pregnancy if the first ultrasonography in the pregnancy is performed in the third trimester and suggests a discrepancy in gestational dating of more than 21 days. As soon as data from the LMP, the first accurate ultrasound examination, or both are obtained, the gestational age and the EDD should be determined, discussed with the patient, and documented clearly in the medical record.

For the purposes of research and surveillance, the best obstetric estimate, rather than estimates based on the LMP alone, should be used as the measure for gestational age.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, and the Society for Maternal—Fetal Medicine recognize the advantages of a single dating paradigm being used within and between institutions that provide obstetric care. Table 1 provides guidelines for estimating the due date based on ultrasonography and the LMP in pregnancy, and provides single-point cutoffs and ranges based on available evidence and expert opinion.

Can a baby's due date be a month off when determined by an ultrasound?

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, posted on the Internet, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher. Methods for estimating the due date. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Women's Health Care Physicians. Recommendations The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, and the Society for Maternal—Fetal Medicine make the following recommendations regarding the method for estimating gestational age and due date: For an abdominal dating ultrasound, you will need to have a full bladder.

You may be asked to drink some water and not go to the toilet beforehand because a full bladder helps to push your womb up to give a better picture.

Popular in My Developing Baby

For a vaginal scan, you can have an empty bladder. This will provide a fairly accurate estimate of how many weeks pregnant you are. But it is important to remember that only a few women go into labour on their due date, so it can be more helpful to think about the month in which you are expecting your baby, rather than the exact day.

Information on pregnancy ultrasound scans including when they are taken, what it can be used for, dating scans, anomaly scans, plus links to trusted resources. This Dads Guide to Pregnancy article covers early pregnancy scans and screening, plus normal fetal development and early miscarriage for men, by men. In the second trimester of pregnancy, you may be offered to have an morphology scan anomaly scan.

Learn about what it looks for and when it is performed. A nuchal translucency scan is part of the ultrasound scan that may give an indication of chromosomal abnormality. Learn more about how and when it is performed. During your pregnancy, you will be offered a number of tests and scans. The aim is always to check on the health of you and your baby, but it can sometimes be overwhelming and confusing.

Handy infographic that shows what you can expect at each antenatal appointment during your pregnancy. In the meantime, we will continue to update and add content to Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to meet your information needs. This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.