LMP vs. O Date (rant)

littlemaybaby · May 2009

So I know it's been posted and ranted about before - I guess it's my turn now . . .

My first appointment was yesterday and my doctor made me almost a week more pregnant than I actually am based on my LMP. She doesn't calculate due dates off of ovulation, even if you know when that occurred.

Argh. Frustrating.

I guess this will resolve itself at my ultrasound in two weeks. I'm assuming they'll tell me that the baby is measuring almost a week behind schedule and then they'll put my due date back to where I should have been to start.

(And I must admit, it would be nice to bump that ticker up to 10w3d, but I'm going to leave it alone . . . )

Rant over, sorry.

MSC03 · May 2009

At least it'll get straightened out at your next appointment and you'll be able to give her the big "I told you so" look.

If I went by LMP, I'd be 10 weeks, but I didn't ovulate until CD44, so I'm only 6W. Another reason that it's great to chart, as it saved me a ton of headaches and worry.

heather_09_15_07 · May 2009

Yeah, they'll change it at your u/s.

Is that an aussie in your sig?

littlemaybaby · May 2009

heather_09_15_07:
Yeah, they'll change it at your u/s.

Is that an aussie in your sig?

No, it's a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy - he's only 6 months old so he looks like an Aussie now!

Nennifre · May 2009

By my LMP I'd be 10 days farther along than I know I am. When I set up my 1st appointment I made sure to tell the receptionist the date of my LMP and my O date. And I'm sure I will reiterate that a few times before my first ultrasound.

heather_09_15_07 · May 2009

He really does!

My SIL actually just got a bernese. I think she's only about 8 weeks (picked her up yesterday). So cuddly looking.

SeaStar430 · May 2009

Oh trust me, I have even more reason to vent.

I told them when my O date was. They wouldn't believe me. So when I did my u/s at 7w3d, they finally believed me. Unfortunately, when I went to get my NT scan done at a specialist, they only had my LMP, not the updated information. So they sent me in for the test a week early. Which meant they couldn't actually get anything out of the test, it was too soon.

But they DID agree with my O date and my doctor.

OK so get this. Even though they got the dates right now, they scheduled my big ultrasound for 17 weeks. They only schedule 18-20 weeks. When I pointed this out they said "when was your LMP?" ARGGGGGHHHH! IT DOESN'T MATTER! I had to make them change the date to the next week, because I'll be really annoyed if I go in too early and they are unsure again.

littlemaybaby · May 2009

SeaStar430:
Oh trust me, I have even more reason to vent.

I told them when my O date was. They wouldn't believe me. So when I did my u/s at 7w3d, they finally believed me. Unfortunately, when I went to get my NT scan done at a specialist, they only had my LMP, not the updated information. So they sent me in for the test a week early. Which meant they couldn't actually get anything out of the test, it was too soon.

But they DID agree with my O date and my doctor.

OK so get this. Even though they got the dates right now, they scheduled my big ultrasound for 17 weeks. They only schedule 18-20 weeks. When I pointed this out they said "when was your LMP?" ARGGGGGHHHH! IT DOESN'T MATTER! I had to make them change the date to the next week, because I'll be really annoyed if I go in too early and they are unsure again.

I feel your pain! She wanted to do my NT scan next week - because by her calculations that will be soon enough. I made up excuses as to why I could not do it next week. She said "you're the first person we've ever had who wants to wait to see the baby." And I point blank said, "No, I just want to make sure I'm far enough along for the test to be valid."

And DH is no help, he's like, "It's just 6 days, it's no big deal." And I was trying to explain to him that when there is a very specific 3 week window when you can have certain testing done, 6 days makes a big difference.

berryblndgirl · May 2009

I understand your frustration. What's really frustrating for me is that the month we conceived is one of the few months I didn't chart, so I have no clue when I ovulated. The only thing I know is that I hadn't ovulated by the morning of CD15, since I had an ultrasound that day showing one mature follicle. I've been going off of what the baby measured at our 6 week ultrasound, which puts me due a day later than what my OB has as my official due date. I'm not too worried about whether my due date is one day off or not, since the baby will come whenever he/she is ready, but I don't like feeling like my baby is measuring "behind," so I'm sticking with what I've calculated as my due date, regardless of what the OB says. I figure we'll get a more accurate due date anyway once we have our big ultrasound.

easjer05 · May 2009

This is why I lied about my lmp. I ovulated 12 days 'late'. So when I gave my lmp, I said March 31 instead of March 24.

Things have gone more smoothly than with the first pregnancy, where there was also an 11 day discrepancy. There is still a 5 day difference between the LMP I gave them and the O date, which should be caught at the u/s tomorrow, but it was so much easier than fighting over LMP.

Normally I don't encourage that, but having had first hand experience, twice, with incorrect LMP dating, I said 'screw it' this time.

littlemaybaby · May 2009

easjer05:
This is why I lied about my lmp. I ovulated 12 days 'late'. So when I gave my lmp, I said March 31 instead of March 24.
Things have gone more smoothly than with the first pregnancy, where there was also an 11 day discrepancy. There is still a 5 day difference between the LMP I gave them and the O date, which should be caught at the u/s tomorrow, but it was so much easier than fighting over LMP.
Normally I don't encourage that, but having had first hand experience, twice, with incorrect LMP dating, I said 'screw it' this time.

DARN IT! Why didn't I do that??? I normally wouldn't lie to my doctor either, but I really do wish I had thought to do that . . .

Calips · May 2009

I ovulated just a little late (CD 19) but they want to go by LMP. AT my first u/s they gave me an EDD right in sync with my O date. Atmy dsecond u/s I still seemed to measure exactly as I thought but the Dr called and moved my EDD up 5 days to sync up with my LMP. I guess u/.s results always give dates +- 5 days. Luckily I booked my NT scan a bit later originally (they gave me a 2 week time frame and I booked in the 2nd week.) Only 5 days, I know but in your mind you are thinking...not as pregnant as you think.

That said, with my DD they did the same thing and I delievred 4 days early anyway. So, in the end (or just later in you rpg when growth rates really vary, a week or so doesn't really matter.

easjer05 · May 2009

littlemaybaby:
DARN IT! Why didn't I do that??? I normally wouldn't lie to my doctor either, but I really do wish I had thought to do that . . .

Only through bitter experience. My mw listens to me and has seen my charts and agrees that I ovulate late, but still went by LMP with my last pregnancy.

And granted my ectopic was a hot mess for a hundred different reasons, but everytime, they went by the date I started bleeding and had a full period, even though it was the same time I started getting positive tests (and continued to get positive tests after the period).

Given that my mw is legally bound to transfer my care to an OB at 42w2d for induction or c-section, there was no way I was going to let my paperwork say an edd almost a full 2 weeks ahead of where it should be. Even if u/s verifies it later, the paperwork is the first thing people look at, you know?

Although this is about the only time I ever think it's ok to be less than truthful with a care provider.

littlemaybaby · May 2009

easjer05:

Only through bitter experience. My mw listens to me and has seen my charts and agrees that I ovulate late, but still went by LMP with my last pregnancy.
And granted my ectopic was a hot mess for a hundred different reasons, but everytime, they went by the date I started bleeding and had a full period, even though it was the same time I started getting positive tests (and continued to get positive tests after the period).
Given that my mw is legally bound to transfer my care to an OB at 42w2d for induction or c-section, there was no way I was going to let my paperwork say an edd almost a full 2 weeks ahead of where it should be. Even if u/s verifies it later, the paperwork is the first thing people look at, you know?
Although this is about the only time I ever think it's ok to be less than truthful with a care provider.

I feel the same way about my official chart saying I'm a week ahead of schedule. Even if it is just a week. So what happens if my "due date" comes and goes? I don't want to feel pressured to induce if I start to go 7-10 days past this artificial (aka CRAP) date.

Sigh. I know better for next time . . .

Strunella · May 2009

No, it's a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy - he's only 6 months old so he looks like an Aussie now!

He is beautiful!! I am DYING for this dog! DH and I were beginning to do our homework, but not sure I can handle 2 "babies" at the same time!

littlemaybaby · May 2009

Strunella:
No, it's a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy - he's only 6 months old so he looks like an Aussie now!

He is beautiful!! I am DYING for this dog! DH and I were beginning to do our homework, but not sure I can handle 2 "babies" at the same time!

Let me know if you have any questions about the breed - they are super awesome family dogs!!!

Calips · May 2009

Don't worry about induction and things ways down the road. Drs do change due dates later in your pregnancy of the baby is measuring very big or small. And, many will not let a baby get too big even if you are not due.

Dr's know that most people don't O on CD 14 but they use LMP because in general it tends to even out. That is what the DR told me, at least. Sometimes you just have to go with them.

GershiGirl · May 2009

This always happens to me. I don't usually ovulate till around cd 30 and this is my third pregnancy in the last year. Every time I go in they try to date it off my LMP, then I tell them I'm not that far along, they don't believe me and then I have an u/s and prove them wrong. You'd think after this many times they'd start listening to me! Obviously I know my own cycles better than they do!

Prinycesa07 · May 2009

This is exactly why i adjusted my LMP before my appt.

Septsoulmates · May 2009

I am right there with you. Its so frustrating. They should be the experts and know how to explain O, LMP, LP, etc and yet don't listen to themselves

jenny1980 · May 2009

littlemaybaby:
heather_09_15_07:

Yeah, they'll change it at your u/s.

Is that an aussie in your sig?

No, it's a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy - he's only 6 months old so he looks like an Aussie now!

Aw, he looks like a Berner to me! They are the BEST.

KatiKM · May 2009

I had a similar thing happen. I O late, always. without fail and I have long cycles. But based on my LMP day they set my due date, and then the ultrasound tech was all worried about me being a week behind, which in turn freaked me out till the Dr. looked over my previous stats, and the ultrasound and said everything is fine. So annoying.

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