How to Determine a Pregnancy Due Date
A pregnancy due date is merely an estimate. In fact, only about 5% of women actually give birth on their due dates. Nevertheless, due dates give women an approximate end to pregnancy and beginning to motherhood. All women are different. Therefore, all women carry babies for different term lengths. There are, however, good ways to estimate baby's arrival date. By taking these steps, you will have a great idea when your own little bundle of joy will show her little head.
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Instructions
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1
Recall the date of your last period. Many women write this date down each month. Some mark it on the calendar. Either way, you will be asked the date of your last period at your doctor's office, so you should try to get as close as possible to the real date. When you figure out the date of your last period, count ahead exactly 40 weeks. This will be the initial due date your doctor will give you.
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2
Check the calendar and try to remember when you began experiencing pregnancy like symptoms. When did your breasts begin to hurt? When did you become nauseous? When did you become fatigued. This can be as early as two weeks after your last period. Most people, however, experience them at about 4 or 5 weeks. Make sure these symptoms are in line with your assumed due date
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3
Visit a doctor or midwife. They will feel the size of your uterus to determine if your due date is on track or off base.
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Schedule an ultrasound. Most women experience at least one ultrasound during a pregnancy. If this ultrasound is performed before 12 or 13 weeks, the due date it calibrates is extremely accurate. The doctor or technician will measure head size, body size, and the length of the arms and legs to determine a gestational age.
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Ask your mother if she carried you and your siblings to term. There is a small aspect about labor and childbirth that is hereditary. If you were a premie, you may have a higher chance of having an early arrival.
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Tips & Warnings
Take ultrasound due date estimations with a grain of salt if they are performed after 20 weeks.
Due dates are simply educated guesses. Don't get your hopes up that your baby will come on that exact date.
