An ultrasound allows your doctor to measure the crown-rump length (CRL) — the length of the fetus from one end to the other. During the first trimester, this measurement provides the most accurate estimation for the age of the baby. Your doctor may change your due date based on the ultrasound measurement.

Is an ultrasound more accurate for due date?

An ultrasound is actually the most accurate way to date a pregnancy because all fetuses grow at a consistent rate during the first trimester and early second. In other words, if your baby measures 9 weeks 2 days when you have your ultrasound, thats how far along you are, no matter when your last period was.

How does an ultrasound tell how far along you are?

One of the biggest benefits of an ultrasound is that it can estimate how far along you are in your pregnancy (gestational age) down to just a few days. Ultrasounds estimate how far along you are in your pregnancy by comparing the growth of the fetus to established growth rates for babies around the world.