Should I fudge the date of my LMP??

[Belia]

I've been charting on FF for a few months and I have a pretty clear O pattern.  I also have a long cycle.

So according to the first date of my LMP, my due date is July 23.  However, according to my O date, my due date is July 28.  

Last time I showed my chart to my (former) midwives and they were like "That's nice" and proceded to calculate my due date based on my LMP anyway, which was wrong.  So with this one, I'm tempted just to tell them what I need to in order to be accurate.  

Like I said, I'm very confident of my O date.  WWYD?

[justKate]

Do you think you'll "need" the extra days?  Was your DS early/on time/late?

TBH, I fudged my LMP because 1) it was only 2 or 3 days off by my O date per my charts; 2) I KNOW my O date--I'd been CTA for 18 months, and I don't think there's a danger in my situation; and 3) my midwife/OB group will demand an induction or elective c-section at 41 weeks, so I want every day I can get.

Most folks will say never lie to your HCP, but if you're 100% sure, I don't see the risk.  Good luck with your decision!

[LivingSky]

I'd lie. If you're confident of your O date, then you want to buy yourself whatever time you can at the end of pregnancy, in case you go late. It's not likely to cause a problem if you go a bit earlier than your due date - but depending on your practice, you don't want them to start pushing induction or c-section 5 days earlier than necessary.

[gtnme]

I (personally) dont see a reason to lie about it but when you do the dating ultrasound they will date you according to the measurements of the baby correct?

[belltree]

From my experience I'd lie, too.

Ultrasounds are/should be only adjusted if the due date is outside of 2 standard deviations.

[Jaimee]

I've always managed to get my due date calculated based on my date of conception.    I won't say it wasn't a problem with the midwives I saw at a FSBC with my first and at a clinic with my third, but I was persistent.  If you're seeing a midwife practice where there are several midwives, try again at your next appointment with a different midwife.  Simply state that you know when you O'd b/c you chart and you know your due date to be the 28th and you want the 28th.  End of story.  If you plan on getting an early u/s then you can see if that date works for you and if it's still earlier than the 28th, then insist on keeping the 28th.  But be sure to nail it down early on b/c once you're in your third tri, they aren't going to let you change dates and if the practice you're using has to risk you out or induce at a certain time, you do want all the time you can get.

[cristeen]

I have the same problem, and I don't lie.  What I do do though is tell them that the LMP will not be helpful at all, and refuse to provide it.  I tell them date of ovulation, and let them calculate from there.  I've never had anyone give me a hard time about it, I'm being honest, and still achieving what I need to. 

[contactmaya]

Ive always tracked my ovulations, its all part of the fun! Its especially important when breastfeeding, and cycles are irregular/longer. Since i am certain to the day i ovulated, i find that a more accurate measure of conception than my last period. So i just calculate my past period according to ovulation date, and give my caregiver that information.  In other words, i give them a false LMP, which is turn generates an accurate due date. This is more important than your lmp. Who cares when you had your period?  

So far, ultrasounds have shown accuracy to the day or 2.

Put it this way, they need to know your due date, not your LMP. the LMP is just for people who arent paying attention. 

[T-Bear]

I lied on my LMP date. I am certain I ovulated a week late, (eggwhite CM is very obvious when I am ovulating) and when I met with the physican at my local family clinic (for a urine test a week after my home test) I explained when my actual LMP was, but that I was certain I ovulated late. She basically smiled, nodded, and ignored my comment and went ahead with estimating a due date based on my actual LMP. So for my first OB appointment, I pushed my LMP date back a week later than it was. I felt it was easier than trying to argue my point and since this is a traditional OB, I felt they would be less likely to trust my natural family planning/charting knowledge.

[contactmaya]

They assume all patients are stupid. So i just lie  to them, and tell them what they want to know. :-)

[Ninetales]

I plan to.  I ovulated on Day 19, so I'm moving up the date of my LMP five days.  That's what they're going to go on and I think it will just make things easier.

[GuavaGirl]

I plan to lie next time.  I remember when they asked at that first appointment and I said something like "well, I can give you the date of my last period, but it's not going to give an accurate due date because I don't ovulate on the 14th day."  ...and she just looked at me like I was crazy and said  "umm, that doesn't even matter because that's not how we figure it out."    I was scared to lie the first time, thinking I'd get in trouble or something, but 2nd go around, I will.   I figure it's no big deal, since most women probably don't even know for sure when they're last period started and they're guessing anyway.

[justKate]

Originally Posted by contactmaya 

So i just calculate my past period according to ovulation date, and give my caregiver that information.  In other words, i give them a false LMP, which is turn generates an accurate due date. This is more important than your lmp. Who cares when you had your period?  

So far, ultrasounds have shown accuracy to the day or 2.

Put it this way, they need to know your due date, not your LMP. the LMP is just for people who arent paying attention. 

  

Agreed.  I wouldn't lie to get an intentionally later or earlier due date, but "lying" to get an accurate EDD is just doing what you need to do, IMO. 

[Belia]

Thanks.  I decided to lie and adjusted my LMP to match the day that I know that I o'd.  Like Kate said- I'm lying to make it more accurate, not less, so I'm ok with it.

[Mizelenius]

Originally Posted by Belia 

Thanks.  I decided to lie and adjusted my LMP to match the day that I know that I o'd.  Like Kate said- I'm lying to make it more accurate, not less, so I'm ok with it.

Good for you .  . .for 2 of my PG I was charting and was very surprised when my info was not taken seriously by the MWs.  Like a little wheel thing is more accurate than my charting??