What is more likely? - Update in first post

[lexi]

So I’m expecting. Yay! It’s a bit of a surprise. But ok...I’m trying to get my mind wrapped around this.

So here’s what’s had me concerned...

 

My cycles have been very irregular so I wasn’t sure of my due date. Had an ultrasound at 6 weeks to get a due date.

 

This pregnancy has been very different for me. I’m exhausted beyond anything I’ve ever felt before. I’ve also been pretty sick which is unusual for me. I have also started showing weeks earlier than usual. And when I took an early pregnancy test (at less than 5 weeks) it was super positive within half a second. I usually take 3-5 tests even after I miss a period before I ever get a positive. Even when I was sure I was pregnant with baby 5 it took 4 or 5 tests over a week to get a positive. For some reason I get a false negatives for a while before I finally get a faint line.

 

So this pregnancy has felt different than my previous 6 pregnancies.

 

Anyway, I saw my midwife at 15 weeks. I’m measuring 3-4 weeks ahead.

 

I know this isn’t always accurate. But I’m already showing which has never happened in my 6 previous pregnancies. I’m about the same size (pre-pregnancy) as I was (pre-pregnancy) with my last baby so I don’t know why I’m showing so soon.

 

My midwife felt that I was big for my due date. She’s ordered another ultrasound and I go next week for that.

 

What does the Hive think? Why am I huge already?

 

Is my due date from the 6 week ultrasound wrong by several weeks?

 

Is it possible to be twins? (I only saw one baby at the 6 week ultrasound but it was a low level ultrasound and didn’t last long as all they did was measure and check for a heartbeat).

 

What else could it be? I’m feeling a little stressed as this has never happened before.

 

For reference I always measure about a week smaller than my due date. And all of my babies haven been small - even ones that were a few days late.

 

I’m feeling stressed that I’m so huge already. Yikes!

 

Update- had an ultrasound today. Baby looks great and is a girl, of course. Just one. But my due date was moved up. So it was a little off it seems. I’m now due July 4th which was my hubby’s due date. Maybe she’ll be born on his birthday!

 

So now I need names! Help! They can’t begin with A, B, C, E, or J. Those initials have been used. Lol!

Edited January 31, 2018 by lexi

[Night Elf]

No clue but congratulations! I hope you post the results of your next ultrasound. It seems to me that at this stage, if you were having twins you should be hearing two heartbeats and I'm sure your midwife listens at each visit, doesn't she? Of course I don't have twins so what do I know?

 

I've only had 3 children but I showed early in my 2nd and 3rd. It was like my body knew what was happening so got a head start. As it was, my babies got smaller. The first was 8 lbs. 15 oz.., the second 8 lbs. 8 oz. and the 3rd was 7 lbs. 10 oz. I gained more weight with my first baby though, so maybe she just got fat because I wouldn't stop eating. :)

[Catwoman]

I don’t have any info for you, Lexi, but CONGRATULATIONS!!!

 

:party: :party: :party:

[SparklyUnicorn]

No idea.  Congrats.  Hopefully you can get some info soon to put your mind at ease.

 

 

[lexi]

Thanks. I’ve only had one appointment with my midwife. We had weird insurance issues so I had to get it worked out first. So my first appointment was at 15 weeks. She heard the heartbeat but kept picking up my pulse and the placenta so it was tough to isolate the baby. So I don’t know.

I have never shown early in my past pregnancies even when my kids were super close together. I don’t know why for this one my body has decided to pop out and look huge!

My babies are in the low 7 pound or high 6 pound range. Not big at all.

[Twigs]

Congratulations!! :party:  :party:  :party:

[Rachel]

Congratulations!

[PrincessMommy]

I have no idea... but congratulations!!  

 

 

[ktgrok]

Twins is more likely than misdating, given the ultrasound. But even more likely is that you have some diastatic recti going on, so that the uterus is more visible. But, women who are older have twins more often than younger women, so maybe!

[lexi]

Twins is more likely than misdating, given the ultrasound. But even more likely is that you have some diastatic recti going on, so that the uterus is more visible. But, women who are older have twins more often than younger women, so maybe!

I’m going to go look that up. Thanks for mentioning it.

[Selkie]

Congratulations!! :)

[bolt.]

There's no reason to use your past pregnancies as a baseline to call this one unusual -- many women have just a variety of different pregnancies. Each one is new and each one is its own thing. Unless your symptoms are unusual in terms the full range of normal pregnancy, please don't let them concern you.

[historically accurate]

I have no advice; I measured large with every baby. Apparently, my body likes to make A LOT of fluid to cushion that baby. I just wanted to say Congratulations!!!

[lexi]

There's no reason to use your past pregnancies as a baseline to call this one unusual -- many women have just a variety of different pregnancies. Each one is new and each one is its own thing. Unless your symptoms are unusual in terms the full range of normal pregnancy, please don't let them concern you.

I’m concerned because my midwife is concerned. Measuring about 4 weeks ahead of your due date is not normal in any pregnancy. She does not feel this is normal. She wants to figure out what is causing me to measure so far ahead.

 

And as I sit here waiting for my ultrasound date, I feel a little anxious.

 

All of my pregnancies have been unique. However, this time many things have been different.

[Soror]

Hmm, I think it is more likely the dating is off. You will have to keep us updated.

 

Fwiw I was beyond exhausted last time, mine was due to developing thyroid disease.

[Lecka]

This sounds like my twin pregnancy.

 

I didn’t have an ultrasound before 12 weeks, though, so I have no idea about the 6-week ultrasound.

[bolt.]

I’m concerned because my midwife is concerned. Measuring about 4 weeks ahead of your due date is not normal in any pregnancy. She does not feel this is normal. She wants to figure out what is causing me to measure so far ahead.

 

And as I sit here waiting for my ultrasound date, I feel a little anxious.

 

All of my pregnancies have been unique. However, this time many things have been different.

That makes sense. Your midwife is a very good source of information on what is unusual for pregnancy in general.

 

I hope that, 'It's just one of those things we check on.' -- and nothing genuinely alarming. I didn't mean to imply that your midwife's observations should be ignored, just that it's a good idea not to get too worked up (if you can help it) without solid information.

[Crimson Wife]

Congrats! Dating via ultrasound is very much a guessing game so given the irregular cycles, I think it's likely you are a few weeks further along than your midwife is thinking.

[lexi]

That makes sense. Your midwife is a very good source of information on what is unusual for pregnancy in general.

 

I hope that, 'It's just one of those things we check on.' -- and nothing genuinely alarming. I didn't mean to imply that your midwife's observations should be ignored, just that it's a good idea not to get too worked up (if you can help it) without solid information.

I’m trying to stay calm. But I wanted to be mentally prepared for whatever might be the cause. And I want to be thorough.

 

I would be excited if I were due sooner. Hooray for getting pregnancy over with.

 

My midwife did mention this had recently happened to one of her other clients. That client had twins. That thought made me completely panic. So I’m trying to prepare myself for the possibility however unlikely it may be.

 

I also want to look into whatever else might be the cause so that I’m taking good care of myself and baby during the pregnancy.

 

I know my midwife will help me figure things out. I trust her.

 

I just wanted to try to be informed. This has never happened in previous pregnancies so it was a surprise.

 

And I don’t handle surprises well (if you can’t tell). Lol!!

[happypamama]

I’m concerned because my midwife is concerned. Measuring about 4 weeks ahead of your due date is not normal in any pregnancy. She does not feel this is normal. She wants to figure out what is causing me to measure so far ahead.

 

And as I sit here waiting for my ultrasound date, I feel a little anxious.

 

All of my pregnancies have been unique. However, this time many things have been different.

Congratulations!!!

 

Fwiw, I measured four weeks ahead at several points in several pregnancies. I was dead certain of dates for all of them, and they were all big. My smallest, except for my micropreemie, was 8 pounds, at 38w3d, and three of them were well over 9 pounds. Could just be a genetically large baby. Plus your body has btdt before, so it gets all relaxed quickly.

 

I really really really hope all is well, and it probably is all fine. But just, if you have a sense that something feels off, even if you can’t articulate it, keep pushing for answers. I knew something felt off last time, from day one, and it was. I hate that I was right, but that sixth sense is what saved my life.

[LMD]

Congratulations!

 

I measured 4 weeks ahead with only one of my pregnancies. Kid just had a growth spurt at a weird time I think! Midwife asked if I was sure it wasn't twins! It wasn't. I tended to measure right on dates otherwise. He ended up my smallest boy at 8lb 10oz.

 

Good luck for your ultrasound!

[Guinevere]

Sometimes benign fibroids can cause you to measure bigger. I don't have fibroids and always measure big until about 20 weeks.

[school17777]

Congratulations!

 

As far as whether it’s twins or not, I just wanted to mention that my sil’s first ultrasound didn’t pick up twins. Her first one was really early as it was through ivf. I also had a twin pregnancy. I was more sick and exhausted with twins than with my singletons. I don’t think I measured bigger right away, but that was my first pregnancy and I was in pretty good shape back then.

[Lecka]

http://www.pregnancy-period.com/twinpregnancysymptoms.html

 

This is just a random website, but it’s what I remember reading about pregnancy tests and morning sickness with twins.

[Catwoman]

I’m concerned because my midwife is concerned. Measuring about 4 weeks ahead of your due date is not normal in any pregnancy. She does not feel this is normal. She wants to figure out what is causing me to measure so far ahead.

And as I sit here waiting for my ultrasound date, I feel a little anxious.

All of my pregnancies have been unique. However, this time many things have been different.

I know you trust your midwife, but have you considered seeing an OB-GYN?

 

I realize that others will disagree with me, but if I was having any concerns about a pregnancy, I would want to see a doctor about it. In my case, my doctor was a specialist in high risk pregnancies and he was amazing.

[lexi]

I know you trust your midwife, but have you considered seeing an OB-GYN?

 

I realize that others will disagree with me, but if I was having any concerns about a pregnancy, I would want to see a doctor about it. In my case, my doctor was a specialist in high risk pregnancies and he was amazing.

She has OB’s that she can refer me to if there are any issues. For now I’m going to have her help me figure it out because I appreciate how she listens to me and takes my concerns seriously.

I had an OB with my first pregnancy. I had major complications and my daughter and I were in serious trouble. It should have been caught sooner. My OB blew off my concerns completely. I have never seen an OB since. The other OB’s in the practice also blew me off.

I like this particular midwife because she’s been so thorough and so cautious. So because of my previous really really awful experience I’ve stuck with midwives as my main care provider. I’ve had much better outcomes while under their care. But I know my midwife would not hestitate to refer me to one of her OB friends if she was concerned.

[lexi]

Oh, I just remembered: at 12-16 weeks, I was measuring 20 weeks.

Ha! You’re scaring me!

 

One of my friends told me about her cousin who recently had twins. It was totally missed on her first ultrasound and not caught until she had her 20 week ultrasound. Ah!

 

So that has been in the back of my mind.

Also, my husband read some websites about twin pregnancies and I totally have had all the symptoms mentioned. Everything in this pregnancy has been to the extreme. So he’s adding to my paranoia.

 

My midwife wants me to go ahead and get my ultrasound at 17 weeks and not wait. I’m ready to know for certain that there’s one baby.

 

I would also appreciate the baby not being a giant baby. Since everyone in both of our families are short and petite, I would be shocked if I had a massive baby. And all of the babies in the family have been 6 or 7 pounders. Genetically I should not have a giant baby. And I’m a somewhat small person so I’d rather not have a massive baby. Ouchie!

[Lecka]

I am in favor of finding out one way or the other, because you may need to eat more if you have twins. I think mentally there’s a big difference mentally in eating for one chubby baby or two petite babies. I couldn’t eat very easily in my third trimester and I think eating more in the second trimester is good.

 

I was really into a book I had about “what to eat during your twin pregnancy,†though, so that’s just my opinion.

[ktgrok]

Ultrasound dating before 12 weeks is pretty accurate. It would be very unusual to be off by several weeks at that stage. A few days? Sure. 3-4 weeks? Seems unlikely but maybe you got a new person who didn't know what they were doing?

 

Fibroids is definitely another possibility. 

[ktgrok]

When is the ultrasound scheduled for?

[lexi]

Ultrasound dating before 12 weeks is pretty accurate. It would be very unusual to be off by several weeks at that stage. A few days? Sure. 3-4 weeks? Seems unlikely but maybe you got a new person who didn't know what they were doing?

 

Fibroids is definitely another possibility.

My midwife seems dto think the date was pretty accurate. She reviewed the measurements they got and felt like my due date should not change at this point.

 

I know nothing about fibroids so I’ll look into that.

 

My ultrasound is Feb 2nd.

 

My midwife didn’t want to freak me out but she mentioned twins. She didn’t say much more other than that she felt another ultrasound was important.

 

She had a super strange look on her face when she was checking my measurements. She spent a long time measuring me and feeling my uterus. She didn’t say much because she probably didn’t want me to worry. But I totally am! Lol.

 

My ultrasound is February 2nd. I scheduled it at a time my husband can come with me. I’m nervous.

[Upennmama]

I measured normally with my first 5 pregnancies and then randomly measured 5-6 weeks bigger with the last one. Worse symptoms too. I think it’s just getting older, and having less resilient muscles. No twins.

[Upennmama]

Oh and my last was bigger,but not strangely so. First kids were in the 6, 8, 7, range, the last was 9, 4.

[ktgrok]

Ugh the wait would kill me. I'd have to check right away if I had symptoms of twins!

[rebbyribs]

Congratulations!  

 

When I was expecting twins, I said to my midwife at around 16 weeks that I was concerned that I was so much bigger than in my first pregnancy.  And she said that it was really common for women to wonder about having twins with 2nd pregnancies because most women show sooner with 2nd babies.  Then I found out at 20 weeks that it wasn't all in my head and I really was having twins.  :-P  I didn't feel movement any earlier than usual because the placentas were in front.  I felt tireder than in my first pregnancy, but just attributed that to having a 2yo already.  One thing that was different was that my midwife never had any trouble finding the heartbeat early on.  She'd put down the Doppler, and baboom, baboom, baboom, there it was, every time. I was less sick with my twin pregnancy than with my first pregnancy, perhaps because I'd figured out some coping strategies, but more sick than with my subsequent singletons. 

 

Also, *big hug*.  If this were me, I'd be absolutely freaking out.

[lexi]

Ugh the wait would kill me. I'd have to check right away if I had symptoms of twins!

I’m pretty grouchy with the waiting. I will admit that I’m feeling slightly crazy.

[Carrie12345]

Most of my pregnancies have been easily date measured, except for the one 13 months younger than her sister, lol.  In that case, we went by ultrasound dates.  Early signs of labor started on her due date, and she was born the next day.

 

However, none of the rest of my kids wanted to be "on time", so it wouldn't surprise me if my dates were off by 2 weeks.  I have one who was forced out at a full 42 weeks, others induced at 41ish.

[Annie G]

Congrats! Hope the days leading up to Feb 2 will fly by. I know the wait must be hard!

[lexi]

Congratulations!

 

When I was expecting twins, I said to my midwife at around 16 weeks that I was concerned that I was so much bigger than in my first pregnancy. And she said that it was really common for women to wonder about having twins with 2nd pregnancies because most women show sooner with 2nd babies. Then I found out at 20 weeks that it wasn't all in my head and I really was having twins. :-P I didn't feel movement any earlier than usual because the placentas were in front. I felt tireder than in my first pregnancy, but just attributed that to having a 2yo already. One thing that was different was that my midwife never had any trouble finding the heartbeat early on. She'd put down the Doppler, and baboom, baboom, baboom, there it was, every time. I was less sick with my twin pregnancy than with my first pregnancy, perhaps because I'd figured out some coping strategies, but more sick than with my subsequent singletons.

 

Also, *big hug*. If this were me, I'd be absolutely freaking out.

Thanks! I had a dream over a month ago that we were having twins. I have no idea why. It was more of a nightmare honestly.

 

And I have been so much bigger this time. It’s so strange.

 

My placenta is in front so I’m only feeling occasional movement. But I’ve already been feeling movement.

 

So I don’t know. I feel a little crazy.

 

I’m very much freaking out. Ugh!

[mommyoffive]

Wow congrats

 

 

I am voting twins.

[Jaybee]

If you are pregnant with twins, I just want to reassure you a little bit. Being an experienced mom helps a lot. A lot. Except for your little one, the ages of your other kids are in your favor; even having a 7yo and a 4yo when my twins were born was a big help. They loved holding the babies, could run get things for me, and were great at entertaining the babies so I could get a shower or whatever. They were really proud of our babies, and that went a long way. I also  took the mindset for the first years that "babies is what I do right now," and that helped reduce my stress over extra outside activities that I couldn't pull off at the time.

[Scarlett]

Wow.Soexciting!

[ktgrok]

Can you call and get an sooner ultrasound? I'd need to know! Like, if nothing else I'd be at one of those boutique ultrasound places that just do gender and such, looking for a hidden baby!

[Scarlett]

Can you call and get an sooner ultrasound? I'd need to know! Like, if nothing else I'd be at one of those boutique ultrasound places that just do gender and such, looking for a hidden baby!

I first read this as 'I need to know.'   I was like 'yeah, me too!'  The HIVE needs to know....so speed that ultrasound up.

 

LOL...I always wanted twins.

[lexi]

Ha! I do need to know. But my hubby is headed out of town. There’s no way I can go to the ultrasound on my own because I’m too nervous. He can for sure go with me next Friday. So I’m stuck waiting. And yes, I’m super impatient.

 

I’m secretly going my due date is very off. I’ll take a June baby. That sounds perfect.

 

I have a horrible feeling that twins are more likely though. I’m trying not to think about it.

 

And thanks for the encouraging words. My older kids are super sweet and helpful so I’m grateful that they’ll be willing to hold the baby (please not babies..). They are all excited about a new baby.

 

Some moments I have myself convinced that it’s twins. Other moments I’m convinced that I’m actually crazy.

 

So thanks to everyone for letting me air my crazy. I appreciate the listening ear and kind words!

 

I’ll definitely update when I know something more. My midwife has decided she wants to see me twice in February to check on me as we get this figured out. So I’ll actually see her next Thursday before my ultrasound. I’ll see what she says then.

[catz]

I measured always like 8 weeks ahead with a large fibroid.  There are other options besides twin pregnancy.  I'd just wait and see and try not to panic until the ultrasound.  If your OB were super worried she would have ordered one immediately. 

[Zoo Keeper]

Congratulations ! :hurray: Babies, singular or plural, are a gift. 

 

Here's to hoping for time to fly until the ultrasound.  :grouphug:

 

Your dates could be off...I had what seemed like a normal period (or two!) at the beginning of three of my pregnancies.  Made the due dates and measurements kind of wonky for the first few visits.  

[Paige]

Probably not the most flattering thing I'm going to say here, but it's most likely a combo of your age, multiple pregnancies, and your youngest isn't very old. Your body is most likely assuming the position and depending on your mood either saying, "let's get this party started" or "let's get this crap over with!" 

 

It's possible but unlikely to miss twins this early. I have a set and we didn't find them until later, but nobody looked. Still, when we saw them it was immediately obvious. I wasn't showing early with the twins at all- still in pre-pregnancy jeans at 16weeks- but I did feel movement early because of the way they were positioned. 

[gardenmom5]

every pregnancy is different.  just because you've always measured small -doens't mean you will always measure small.

hormones vary with each pregnancy too.  HcG climbs - then drops down.   so, you could be pg testing further along than you think you are.

 

with dudeling - I looked smaller than  I did with my previous pregnancies because of how he was positioned.  he was bigger than everyone else.

 

at six weeks - they can't see much anyway - I've had a transvaginal one at seven? weeks - mostly it was a yolk sack and a heart beat.  they were looking at the placenta. (I was bleeding)

 

so - they could be wrong for dates

could just be the way baby is positioned - what's your core muscle tone like?  weaker muscles will pop you out sooner.

could be twins.

 

I've had pregnancies with tons of energy  (she has tons of energy too) - and pregnancies I was just exhausted and could barely stay awake.

[BlsdMama]

Thanks. I’ve only had one appointment with my midwife. We had weird insurance issues so I had to get it worked out first. So my first appointment was at 15 weeks. She heard the heartbeat but kept picking up my pulse and the placenta so it was tough to isolate the baby. So I don’t know.

I have never shown early in my past pregnancies even when my kids were super close together. I don’t know why for this one my body has decided to pop out and look huge!

My babies are in the low 7 pound or high 6 pound range. Not big at all.

 

 

Very, very unlikely your six week ultrasound was wrong.  It's actually surprising they could reliably see baby at 6 weeks though.  I assume you mean six weeks after conception and not six weeks along?  I assume you'll have a 20 week overall ultrasound?  Most folks do these days.  That should clear up anything.  It could be additional water weight.  It could be two.  One could easily be missed at six weeks.  It could just be one of those odd  things.  A lot of us mamas of many have a similar story - an odd pregnancy with unusual heft/weight gain and ended up being a single.