WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for July, 1999: Re: Ultrasound indicates fetus too small

Re: Ultrasound indicates fetus too small

From: anonymous@obgyn.net
Thu, 22 Jul 1999 09:12:57 -0500 (CDT)

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Reply: anonymous@obgyn.net: "Re: Ultrasound indicates fetus too small"

Dear Catherine, Your concerns are understandable. I am afraid I have more questions than answers. While Sonography (ultrasound) is considered the most accurate method of dating a pregnancy, that does not mean that the dates always match the dates by the reported last menstrual period. This is the most common reason for the Sonograph predicting dates different from those of the menses.

Ovulation normally takes place 14 days after the start of menses, then there are a few days (2-4?) days for the egg to travel the fallopian tube, and the sperm can also live for a few days. So conception is often around 5 days after ovulation, not on day 14 after menses. Then when the fertilized egg finally implants in the uterus there is usually something called "implantation bleeding" or "breakthrough bleeding". This implantation bleeding is often mistaken for the last menstrual period. The hormones of pregnancy also follow fairly predictable changes in time, and two tests are the only way to see if they are increasing at the appropriate rate, not changing or decreasing.

This is all to say that it is very difficult to answer your questions without more information. This is also the reason that your physician recommended a follow-up examination. If your menstrual dates are off, the only way to know for sure if the embryo is growing normally is to have two examinations and see if the second exam shows normal growth from the first exam.

While more information is needed for a definitive answer, based on what I know about sonography and human development, it sounds like your physician is doing exactly what would be expected in the circumstances. The only thing to do now is wait and see what the followup shows. There really is no other way to get an answer. I hope this helps.

Good luck. Terry J. DuBose, M.S., RDMS ---------------------- At Wed, 21 Jul 1999, Catherine wrote: ---------------------- >
---------------------- >I had a ultrasound at 8 weeks and although the heart was beating well the doctor said it should have looked clearer and bigger. She suggested I come back in two days for a second hormone test to compare the levels.
>And again in four days from now for another Ultrasound. She said it may be the position of the uterus or that the date of conception may be off.
>
>I have three questions:
>
>Any thoughts on what may be wrong?
>
>Is this normal?
>
>And, could the Ultrasound results be misleading?
>
>Thank you for your help!
>
>--
>Catherine
>

--
Terry J. DuBose, M.S., RDMS
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, Arkansas USA

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