Childbirth/U/S Dating

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Expert: - 12/31/2009


Question
I had an u/s and the tech wrote I was 17w & 9 days, which doesn't make any sense to me. My doc said it was a fraction of a number but what does that mean. I was suppose to be 17w & 6d. My doc said I was very close to 18 wks. So was I 17w & 6d or 17w & 2d or 17w? I am just lost

Answer
Hi Jen,

Did he write 17.9 weeks?  17.9 weeks is the same as 17 weeks 6 1/2 days.

If you were supposed to be 17 weeks and 6 days, 17.9 days is about as close as you're going to get, especially since 2nd trimester ultrasounds can sometimes be off by up to 7 days.  I think it's a good indication that your dates are good. Try not to let their terminology confuse you - the bottom line is that the ultrasound confirmed the same date that you had.

I hope that helps clear it up!

Sincerely,

Dorothy H, LCCE

Childbirth

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Dorothy H, LCCE

Expertise

As a certified childbirth educator and birth doula, I can answer questions dealing with preparing for birth, childbirth classes, pregnancy, what happens during labor and birth, doulas, VBAC, natural childbirth, cesarean birth, interventions in labor, labor, birth, helping someone through labor, concerns or fears about labor and birth, doulas, breastfeeding, and other topics dealing with pregnancy, labor, and birth.

Experience

Since 2004, I have taught childbirth education classes focused on helping couples gain confidence, make decisions for their birth, and give them tools for helping them get the birth they want. Since 2004, I have also attended births in local hospitals as a birth doula (as of 8/10, I have attended 120 births) so I am able to see firsthand what is working in helping couples deal with labor. I am also a mom of five children, and have various birth experiences myself, including unmedicated birth and a cesarean.

Organizations
Lamaze International DONA International

Publications
International Doula Magazine

Education/Credentials
I am a Lamaze-certified childbirth educator. I am a DONA-certified birth doula.

Past/Present Clients
I work with approximately 4-6 couples a month with my childbirth classes. I attend 2 births a month with doula clients.

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