[lrowe70]

I had an ultrasound at just over 6 weeks to determine due date. They said the baby was due August 10. The heartbeat was 128 bpm.
About 20 minutes later I was given another us by a different tech and the heartbeat was 116 bpm.

At about 7.5 weeks I had a 3rd us and they said the due date was August 4th. The baby's heartbeat was 176 bpm. Also the baby was HUGE. I know they grow fast right now, but it went from being a speck to being the size of the tip of my pinky finger.

With each of these the person doing the us said everything was fine and normal, but I find it really odd that there such significant changes(size, heartbeat, due date).

This is my first child so I really don't know what is going on. Is this normal for the baby to grow so much and have such a heartbeat change in only about 10 days? I'm worried that I'm going to give birth to a 13 pound baby with heart problems. Not to mention I'm not sure of my due date.

[w292737]

what did the doc say to use for your due date? that's what I'd go by.

they do grow alot and fast those early weeks, I went in for one, they said I had to be only 4 weeks something because they couldn't see a sac, well went in 2 weeks later and I measured 7 weeks.

they do say the earlier the u/s when they can see baby the more accurate...

when is yoru next appt? I hope you get some answers then

[andi2284]

Your baby's heartbeat starts out slower and increases as they get bigger in the 1st trimester. That's why it was slower at first and increased. I think they also take an average, so it won't ever be the same during your pregnancy, just within in range.

For the dates being off, I think each u/s can also give different measurements, depending on how accurate they are. I would look at your LMP (or if you know when you ovulated) and go with the due date closest to that. Measurements and due dates are just approximate, your baby may grow a little faster one week and slower the next.

[lrowe70]

Thanks for the quick replies.
The midwife suggested we go with August 10 because that us was taken sooner, but then said she wanted to double check.
My periods ranged from 29-35 days so I didn't ovulate on the normal day 14(probably ovulated on about day 20). Going strictly by my last period I would be due August 2.
Ugh, being pregnant is sooo confusing. Wish I'd paid better attention in health class! lol. My next appointment is in about 3 weeks so I guess I'll just wait it out.

[Admin-Rachel]

Babies grow quickly and heartbeats do fluctuate from time to time. I wouldn't worry too much unless they keep changing your due date. Then I'd be annoyed.

[w292737]

probably best to keep that one, then when they do a later u/s if there is abig differnce they could adjust it then if needed.

I know around here they won't change your edd unless its more the 2 weeks different...

[soImarriedAnerd]

HB (as with adults) vary from what the person is doing at the time (increase with activity, decreases with rest). Its the range they look for and its a LARGE range in the first trimester! LOL
Every u/s tech is going to have a slight difference with sizing also. Even if one came in right after the other....just the difference in the position they click on to do the measuring. After 9 weeks you start to drop the acuracy of your due date by baby's size. So its best to go with the first one that a crown to rump measurement was able to be done. And I personally like to go with the LATEST date...way less pressure to induce when your at the end! (especially if you have wacky cycles!)

[Ben,Logan&Kaitlin'sMommy]

sounds like you got good advice already

[Lo_and_Behold]

Originally Posted by Rachel

Babies grow quickly and heartbeats do fluctuate from time to time. I wouldn't worry too much unless they keep changing your due date. Then I'd be annoyed.

It's annoying not to have a definite answer, but like the others said, the measurements can be sooo off, especially in the beginning when baby is smaller & harder to measure. And it doesn't get any better at the end either. I had to have a few biophysical profiles towards the end w/Allie & they only speculated she'd be over 9lbs. She came out 7lbs, 7oz It's just hard to tell when you have to rely on man & machine.

[Brittanie]

I've heard that the most accurate ultrasounds for determining gestational age are from 8-11 weeks. Before that they're too small to really get an accurate measurement and after that the growth difference starts to vary based on whether the baby will be petite or big.

And the heart rate is crazy. Not only do you get the difference between resting/active heart rates, but like someone else said it starts out slow, then it speeds up and peaks, and then starts to slow a little as it settles to a regular rate. I was told when doing NSTs that they look for anything between 120 and 170, with 110s and up to 180 not being too abnormal. Also they don't start to think there's a heart problem unless you get several off measurements in a row.