Finding out that you’re pregnant is a very happy time. You might feel like you have a million things to do, like buying a crib, diapers, stroller, and more. But don’t worry, you’ll get it all done. Just take your time and enjoy this special time in your life.
At first, nine months may seem like an absolute lifetime when you find out you’re pregnant. But the truth is, it really isn’t. There are countless milestones and adventures awaiting you and your growing family during this time – so much so that it’ll be over before you know it.
So you’re pregnant, what is a due date, and when is it?
Your due date is the date that is given to you as an estimate of when you can expect to go into labor. The dates are not usually very accurate. More often women go into labor within 2 weeks of the expected due date.
The most accurate way to determine a due date is by the woman’s recollection of the day of conception. However, this is not often possible, so the next best method is to use the first day of the woman’s last period. Typically, a full gestation period is added to the first day of the last period minus two weeks.
Example:
If you’re wondering when your baby will be born, the average gestation period is 40 weeks, or 9 months. You can use this as a general guide, but remember that every pregnancy is different. To calculate your due date, start with the first day of your last period and add 40 weeks. So, if your last period was on October 1st, 2005, your due date would be July 1st, 2006. However, most doctors will subtract 2 weeks from this date to account for variations in the length of pregnancy, so your due date would actually be June 15th, 2006.
This method is called the LMP Method (last menstrual period).
It is said that women can ovulate within two weeks of their last period, which is why 40 weeks is generally the amount of time pregnancy is said to last.
Calculating your due date using Naegle’s Rule is another interesting option. As with LMP, Naegle’s Rule also uses the first day of your last period.
Calculate the 1st day of your last period.
Count back 3 months from that day
Add 7 days
This is another easy way to calculate your due date.
Ultrasounds can be used to help give expecting mothers an idea of when their baby might be born. By looking at different body parts and organs, ultrasound technicians can get a pretty good idea of how old the baby is and from there, ballpark a due date.
There are many online websites that offer pregnancy due date calculators. These calculators use the LMP method by asking you to put in the first day of your last period and calculating your due date from there. The calculators not only give the mothers a due date to anticipate, but can also be used to mark the different milestones of pregnancy.
For example:
the time when a baby develops organs
2nd trimester
3rd trimester
and your due date
Ancient women used the moon to help predict when they would give birth. They would take notice of the different phases of the moon and compare it to their own menstrual cycle. By doing this, they were able to estimate how far along they were in their pregnancy. If the woman missed her 10th period and saw that the moon was in the same phase as when she first noticed her missing period, she would know that she was due soon.
Dr. Naegle discovered that the ancient way of determining a due date, which is said to be by the moon’s cycle, is accurate. This is due to the fact that a woman’s cycle seems to follow the moon’s cycle as well.
Although the ancient way of predicting a baby’s due date is no longer used, it normally came pretty close. Whether you want to calculate the moon’s phases or use LMP to calculate it, there are many, many ways to find out a round about date as to when your new baby will be born! With so many methods, you’re sure to find one that works best for you and gives you the most accurate estimate for when your little bundle of joy will make their grand entrance into the world!
