QuestionI am 23. I have 2 girls, and my LMP is 2-23-06. Now, my question to you is based on my LMP, my due date should be nov.30th. I just got my blood work and it shows that i am 1-2 wks. pregnant, when based on my LMP, i should be 5 weeks, what's going on? my b-hcg is 74.67 yesterday. can you help me on figuring this out? my ob appointment is far away, and i am curious to this.
AnswerThe due date based on Nagel's rule (add seven days and subtract 3 months) is accurate. Blodd work (HCG levels) is very inaccurate in trying to determine gestational age. Likewise, a sonogram earlier than 12 weeks is also inaccurate. I would repeat the sonogram when you are 12 weeks and when you are 20 weeks pregnant, to confirm that you are due on November 30.Remember tht HCG does not start to be produced until ovulation has occurred (conception), so there is a lag of 2 weeks. However, we go by the first da of your last period. Therefore, if you had your last period on February 24 and you ovulated on March 9, we say that you are already 2 weeks pregnant (which is ridiculous). It is just convention.
