AboutBrenda Expertise I have been an R.N. since 1988 and come from a family of nurses. I have clinical experience in labor and delivery, as well as post-partum care and pre-term pregnancy complications. I have also worked in Community Health Clinics dealing with this area of expertise, including WIC (Women, Infant, & Children) clinics performing nursing evaluations and assessments in determining a need for services or intervention for pregnant women, newborns, and young children. I have worked in immunization clinics in and around my community as well. I also have several years experience in OB and Pediatric Home Care Nursing. In addition to that, I am a mother of two, ages 21 and 16, both of which I had hoped would be vaginal deliveries, but ended up being C-Sections... one of which had me in pre-term labor...another which was frank breech (bottom first)... one who rejected the breast... and so on... to list my personal experience would be a bit lengthy! I'd simply like to help anyone who might have a question or concern that I can draw on my expertise to answer!
Experience I have been an R.N. since 1988 and come from a family of nurses. I have clinical experience in labor and delivery, as well as post-partum care and pre-term pregnancy complications. I have also worked in Community Health Clinics dealing with this area of expertise, including WIC (Women, Infant, & Children) clinics performing nursing evaluations and assessments in determining a need for services or intervention for pregnant women, newborns, and young children. I have worked in immunization clinics in and around my community as well. I also have several years experience in OB and Pediatric Home Care Nursing. My experience also includes approximately three years working in Behavioral Services.
Education/Credentials Graduated from the Mary Lanning School of Nursing in May 1988. Have been a licensed Registered Nurse in the state of NE since 1988.
Question I'm confused about my possible conception date.
The confusion is stemming from the fear that I might be wrong about the father.
Looong story short:
I had a normal period on April 4th, had sex on April 24th, had another normal period on April 30th, had sex during the month of may, missed my May 28th period and tested positive on May 29th.
I had an u/s on June 4th, showing a sac measuring 5mm, 9mm, and 11mm, based on which angle the measurement was taken. I had a second u/s on June 29th showing an embryo/fetus measuring between 15mm and 18mm, again, based on the angle the measurement was taken.
Both u/s confirmed a May 14th estimated conception date, based on the measurements and my LMP.
I should be confident with this, however, the guilt looms and so I continue to wonder....
Therefore, my crazy question is:
Can a fertilized egg survive a menstrual period 5-6 days after conception, remain in the uterus, and proceed to stay there, not dividing or growing until 2 weeks later, thus producing the measurements I've received, leading me to believe the conception actually happened in May? Is it possible?
I highly, highly doubt this, but the body is so incredible, who knows what it is capable of....
Thank you so much :)
Answer Dear Katie,
Simply...No. Not possible. A fertilized egg will not lay dormant. From the moment it implant in the uterus, it begins to develop. If it didn't, it would die.
Additionally, ultrasound dating of a pregnancy - especially done within the first trimester - is more accurate than dating using the date of the mother's last menstrual period. The biometric crown-rump measurement (CRL) of the six to 12-week fetus provides the most accurate measurement - within three days of true gestational age. From 12 to 18 weeks gestation, other anatomic structures are typically measured and biometric measurements are usually accurate to within a week of gestational age. After 26 weeks gestation, fetal variability has greatly increased and the dating provided by biometric measurement is less accurate, but the method is still used. By late in the third trimester, measurements are accurate only within a two-to three-week window. This is due to various factors - maternal health or lifestyle, genetic factors, uterine conditions, etc,...
If both early ultrasounds gave you even approximately the same estimated conception date - you can be pretty assured about it.
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.
