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Why Does Baby S Growth Show 5 Weeks During 8th Week Of Pregnancy?
I know my date of conception was February 14, my last cycle was Feb 3. I had previously been told I was 8 weeks pregnant now. However, today I had an ultrasound that indicated the baby s growth at only 5 weeks. The technician was not friendly and offered my no answers to my concerns. I am scheduled for another ultrasound next week to see if there is any growth. I have a healthy 10 year old son and that pregnancy was perfect although I do have Crohn s Disease. Can you please ease my mind at all or at least give me some information to help me make it through this next week until the next ultrasound.
Wed, 2 Aug 2023
Hello,
Actually more than 2 weeks difference between gestation age by ultrasound and last menstrual period is considered significant. That's why you are scheduled for another scan next week to see if there are any real causes of growth restriction of fetus.
But during the early weeks of pregnancy, this discrepancy has the following causes. These causes are to be considered if menstrual periods in mother are regular. In case of irregular menstrual periods, there will be differences naturally and there is no need to worry.
* Problems with the mother
- High blood pressure
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Heart disease or respiratory disease
- Malnutrition or anemia
- Infection
- Alcohol or drug use
- Cigarette smoking
- Weighing less than 100 pounds
* Problems with the uterus and placenta
- Decreased blood flow in the uterus and placenta
- Placenta detaches from the uterus
- Placenta attaches low in the uterus
* Infection in the tissues around the baby
- Problems with the developing baby
- Multiple pregnancy, such as twins or triplet
- Infection
- Birth defects
- Chromosome problems
Please wait and stay positive till the next scan.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Pallavi M., Anesthesiologist
Actually more than 2 weeks difference between gestation age by ultrasound and last menstrual period is considered significant. That's why you are scheduled for another scan next week to see if there are any real causes of growth restriction of fetus.
But during the early weeks of pregnancy, this discrepancy has the following causes. These causes are to be considered if menstrual periods in mother are regular. In case of irregular menstrual periods, there will be differences naturally and there is no need to worry.
* Problems with the mother
- High blood pressure
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Heart disease or respiratory disease
- Malnutrition or anemia
- Infection
- Alcohol or drug use
- Cigarette smoking
- Weighing less than 100 pounds
* Problems with the uterus and placenta
- Decreased blood flow in the uterus and placenta
- Placenta detaches from the uterus
- Placenta attaches low in the uterus
* Infection in the tissues around the baby
- Problems with the developing baby
- Multiple pregnancy, such as twins or triplet
- Infection
- Birth defects
- Chromosome problems
Please wait and stay positive till the next scan.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Pallavi M., Anesthesiologist
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