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Childbirth/Pregnancy due date

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Expert: - 5/14/2009


Question
I am 23 weeks pregnant. At my 18 week visit, my Doctor measured all areas of my baby and said the measurements were good. I saw them and observed that some were a little more than 18 weeks and some a litte less. The ultrasound then gave a due date of Sep 4th, 5 days ahead of my LMP due date Sep 9th. At my 23 week visit today, the ultrasound recorded most of the baby's measurements at less than 23 weeks and gave a due date of Sep 17th. The Doctor also externally measured fundal height and it was 21cm. Is it normal for a due date to fluctuate like that? The Doctor mentioned nothing about it and has not officialy changed my due date but I am still a little concerned. Can you help please? Many thanks!

Answer
Judy,

Yes, it's normal for measurements to fluctuate that much.  Unless they are more than two weeks off from your original due date, it will not be changed.

As the baby grows, these measurement become less and less accurate because babies grow at such individual rates based on genetics, diet, nutrition, etc.  In the beginning of pregnancy during the first trimester, they develop at very similar rates as the cells divide to form the baby, but once the placenta takes over sustaining the fetus, individual variance becomes a factor.


So, nothing to worry about at this point.


Best,
Catherine

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Catherine Beier MS CBE

Expertise

I can provide evidence-based information and current research findings concerning childbirth and pregnancy. My specializations include natural childbirth, pregnancy and birth interventions, fetal positioning, labor induction, choosing a care provider, midwives, homebirth, unassisted birth, natural pain relief, medications in pregnancy and birth, informed consent, understanding the risks and benefits of childbirth choices, doulas, waterbirth, childbirth methods, childbirth education classes, cesarean section, and VBAC.

Experience

I have been a childbirth educator, mother, author, public speaker, researcher, and birth advocate for the past 9 years. I am also the author of Giving Birth Naturally, a site dedicated to natural childbirth and pregnancy information. I publish evidence-based articles on pregnancy, childbirth, newborn care, and post-partum care. I'm also a mother of three children, two daughters and one son all born naturally. To learn more about what normal birth looks like, view the natural childbirth video of my son being born at home unassisted.

Publications
My book, Birth Outside the Box, was published in 2007.

Education/Credentials
I hold a Master's degree in communication disorders with an emphasis in child development. I am also an independent childbirth educator.

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