Ultrasounds

Last menstrual dating vs. ultrasound dating:

Are you a little confused as to why your pregnancy apps tell you a due date that is different from your ultrasound due date, or the one your provider gives you? Let me explain. Your due date regarding the first day of your last period is formulated based on a perfect 28 day cycle with day 14 being ovulation and conception, however, that is not always the case for most people. Since some people have longer or shorter cycles than just 28 days and not necessarily ovulating at day 14, this is one of the major reasons why it's not always accurate. Also, after ovulation, there is a day or two window where the egg can stay hanging out just waiting for a sperm to fertilize, causing a 'delay' in fertilization which in return causing you to be earlier than expected. The most accurate way of calculating your due date is to measure the length of the baby (from crown to rump) during the first trinester.

Gender blood work/multiples/vanishing twin:

Have you or a friend experienced inaccurate results from your blood work pertaining to your baby's gender? It could have possibly been due to having an unknown vanishing twin. This situation can sometimes be a little tricky or hard to follow, but I am here to help. When you have multiples, weather they continue to develop or stop even just after fertilization (vanishing twin), your 'gender blood work' can be compromised. When the lab processes this blood work, it comes directly from the mother, or carrier, not from each embryo/fetus. If one baby is a boy, then the blood work demonstrates that at least 1 baby is a boy but they cannot determine if the other baby is a boy or a girl because the Y chromosome has already been established in the mother, or carrier's blood. If both babies are female then their will be no Y detected and it can be confirmed that both (or one baby if vanishing twin) is a girl! Still confused? We can chat in person about it during your appointment if you would like!

Why aren't there any packages before 6 weeks?

Before 5 weeks 5 days gestation there is no visible heart rate via ultrasound. During this early period, every minute counts in development and even one day can change the outcome of a scan drastically. If you are earlier than 6 weeks and still want to come in for an ultrasound just to see the gestational sac, I do not mind one bit! I like to inform my clients on what they can actually expect. That being said, prior to 6 weeks but after 5 weeks, you can book The Sound of OM package and in lieu of the heart rate, the gestational sac will be shown (sometimes the yolk sac too).