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How Accurate Are Due Dates Given By Ultrasound Measurements?

Posted on Thu, 3 Nov 2016

Question: Hi, doctor, please find my attached dating scan report. My last period was on 20/08/2016. So the date when i did my first scan I was 5 weeks 7 days by counting last period. I have 2 concerns: 1. Should I concern that i cannot see a heart beat at this stage? 2. I read online there is a type called missed miscarriage where you have all signs of pregnancy but only found out in the ultrasound there was no heart beat. Is this common? By reading my report do you think if the odds is in my favour or I should prepare myself in case I hear bad news at my next scan in few days? 3. I notice that my dating from the gestational sac (5 weeks 3 days) was less than the dating from the fetal pole (5 weeks 5 days). I read from online if the Sac is too small or not decelop fast enough then there is also a high chance of the miscarriage. Am I in the case or my measurement looks normal? Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Report needed

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for trusting health care magic.
Yes it is common to have this much delay between ultrasound and date calculation so nothing to worry.
Also it is common to have no heart beat that this early gestation so just wait for another week as it can't be labelled kissed abortion at this stage.
Please upload your report and scan pictures so that I can advise you better
Regards
Dr Manisha

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Manisha Jain (1 minute later)

Hi Doctor please find attached

Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (28 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Repeat scan after 1 week

Detailed Answer:
I have seen the attached report and it is normal and common to have the heart beat a little later. A repeat scan after 1 week will give us the final verdict and in my opinion it will be fine.
Keep taking rest and medicines as advised.
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Manisha Jain (5 hours later)

Hi Doctor, I have been taking the medicine called Prednisone 5mg daily from day 14 due to Natural Killer Cells found after my last ectopic pregnancy. My specilist adviced me that i can stop taking this after 6 weeks. But i saw people from online forum taking much longer until finish of 12-14 weeks or gradually tapper off. So i want to get a second opinion as it is safe to stop it after 6 weeks, cause i worry the cells become active again to attack the embryo (although my doctor did mention NK cells are only issue at implatation phase). And should i stop in one go or gradually stop it. I know there could be side effect of taking this long term so i'm also worry if i stop soon it might cause adverse effect. I'm a bit confused and worry i go either way could harm the pregnancy. Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (21 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Can stop taking it

Detailed Answer:
Yes dear, you can stop it now as I usually do it after 6-8 weeks and rarely till 12 weeks .
You can stop it now itself without any fear of abortion because of stopping it. However it should be stopped by tapering it. Your treating doctor can taper the dose.
The embryo has already implanted so don't consider that issue.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Manisha Jain (40 hours later)

Thanks Doctor! My doctor who issue me the medicine moved away from the city. She only told me to stop at 6 weeks.. but did not mention stop gradually or how. I don't get to see another specialist until week 10. I started to take less from 6 and half weeks, in the past week i have reduced the dose from 5mg daily to one day on another day off. I have been doing that nearly a week. I had another scan today and found the heart beat at 159 at 7 weeks 6 days. Just wondering if i can just completely stop it? What is the reason to stop gradually instead of stop in one go? Does it harm the baby if i don't stop gradually? Thank you doctor.

Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Can stop it instantly

Detailed Answer:
Yes dear it should be stopped gradually but you are already taking very less dose so you can stop it instantly too without any effect on baby or yourself.
Just relax and dont be stressed about it.
Take as much rest as possible and a goid balanced diet.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar