A bit confused/uterus size

[mouthcave]

First! I am (or was?) pretty positive I am 8 weeks. I had my first doctor's appointment yesterday and was told that my uterus felt very small and that she did not think I was anywhere near 8 weeks. I was even told that she thought I was so early that it was probably impossible to hear a heartbeat, so she didn't even bother. I have not had my period since the beginning of September, so I don't know! I am just kind of confused. And kind of hoping that doctor just felt incorrectly.
I am scheduled for an ultrasound soon, so I guess we'll figure out what's going on then, but I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced something like this with past pregnancies. ?
I'm a little worried, but will just deal with whatever happens, I guess.

[organic-mama]

Did she check for a heartbeat? I've never had this happen, I'm 8 weeks also and I can't feel my uterus.

[ChrissieColinsMom]

I'm surprised that she even felt for the funal height at 8 weeks. It seems totally within the norm not to be able to feel it yet.

This site might be of some help: http://www.gynob.com/fh.htm

[BlissfullyLoving]

Hmmm, I am just confused by what you are told in general. Your uterus would be small at 8 weeks (the size of an orange) and below your pelvic bone. There is only a small chance that you would get a heartbeat with a doppler at this time too. I do not think that either of those measurements are a good indication of how far along you are this early.

[WeasleyMum]

This was an OB? I've had so many first appointments and nobody has ever even tried to feel my uterus from outside. I'm 11 weeks right now and only just starting to-- I THINK-- be able to feel my fundus over my pelvic bone, but I had perfectly good healthy ultrasounds at 7 and 9 weeks, with heartbeats and all. I'd get a new doc and a second opinion!

[BlissfullyLoving]

Originally Posted by WeasleyMum

I'd get a new doc and a second opinion!

I agree.

[jenneology]

I think that we're assuming that it was an external palpatation of the uterus, but that early in pregnancy, it was probably a bimanual exam so the doctor could have been accurate in what she was saying. That said, the normal range of normal is often a concept that is grossly misunderstood by people. So what she is thinking is small, could be smaller than she's used to but totally normal for 8 weeks. She'd be operating off the definition of average which does not include the range of normal, and what her prior experience is. In sum, totally subjective. It could be her way of "encouraging" you to consent for a viability ultrasound to check head to rump length and heartbeat (pretty much the only way to hear a heartbeat at this early in pregnancy). Call me cynical, I won't deny it.

To the OP, did she tell you that after a vaginal exam, or pap smear? Its not uncommon for those to be performed at the first prenatal appointment.