How Do I Figure out My Pregnancy Calendar?

Pregnancy is an exciting time.

Finding out you are expecting a new bundle of joy, whether this is your first pregnancy or not, is an exciting time. One of the first things you probably want to know is what is your due date and when will certain things occur during the next nine months. Although there is no substitute for prenatal care from a trained professional, you can figure your own pregnancy calendar at home to help you know what to expect over the next 40 weeks.

Things You'll Need

• Calendar
• Pregnancy test

Instructions

1. Determine the date of your last menstrual cycle, otherwise known as LMP. In general, doctors and midwives determine your due date based on your LMP. Your pregnancy technically starts on the first day of your LMP. Unless you know for sure the exact date of conception, your doctor will assume conception occurred 14 days from your last menstrual period, since this is usually when ovulation occurs. Mark this date on a calendar.

2. Add 4 weeks to the date of your LMP. This is approximately the date you will be able to accurately determine if you are pregnant using a home pregnancy test. Although, if you do not suspect you are pregnant, it may take a few more days or even weeks to notice a period has been missed.

3. Add 10 weeks to your LMP. This is when your baby's heart will first begin to beat, although it will be a while before your doctor will be able to pick up the sounds of it on a Doppler heart monitor.

4. Add 14 weeks to your LMP. This is the beginning of your second trimester. The beginning of the second trimester is usually when most people tell the world about their pregnancy since the risk of miscarriage greatly decreases at this point. The beginning of your second trimester is also when most morning sickness has passed, although you may still experience it throughout the rest of your pregnancy. Your doctor may also be able to pick up your baby's heart beat with a Doppler heart monitor at this point; however, do not worry if she cannot yet.

5. Add 16 weeks to your LMP. Although your baby's gender was determined at conception, at 16 weeks an ultrasound can fairly accurately determine your baby's gender. Most doctors will wait until 20 weeks to order an ultrasound. The purpose of the ultrasound is to check the development of all of your baby's anatomy. If your baby cooperates, you can find out the gender of the baby at this time if you want. However, remember that the only way to be 100 percent sure of your baby's gender is an amniocentesis or to wait for delivery.

6. Add 18 weeks to your LMP. However, it is possible that you may feel your baby move earlier in the pregnancy, 18 weeks is an average date for feeling the first fetal movement. First-time moms usually feel movement later than second or third time moms, who know what to expect. The first kicks will likely feel like a flutter or gas bubbles, but it will become more deliberate and defined as your baby grows and becomes more coordinated.

7. Add 28 weeks to your LMP. You have now entered your third trimester. In the last week, your baby's lungs become developed enough that if your baby were born premature, it would be able to breathe on its own, with some medical assistance. This is also the time your doctor will likely order the gestational diabetes screening test. The test generally consists of you drinking a sugary mixture in a short period of time and then blood work being performed an hour later.

8. Add 37 weeks to your LMP. Your baby is now considered full term. Most babies will remain inside for a few more weeks, but if your baby were to be born now, it would not be considered pre-mature.

9. Add 40 weeks to your LMP. This is your due date, based on a 28-day cycle. Most women follow a 28-day menstrual cycle, so your doctor may likely use this calculation to determine your due date, even if your cycle is somewhat shorter or longer. It is also important to note that although your due date is 40 weeks, you could deliver before or after this date.

Tips & Warnings

• Along the way, you will likely be scheduled for at least one ultrasound. Some doctors order more ultrasounds depending on your particular pregnancy. At each ultrasound you have, the ultrasound technician will use measurements on your baby's body to determine the development. These measurements can help better determine your baby's due date.

• Every pregnancy is different. Calendar information is based on average development. You may experience certain milestones earlier or later in your pregnancy depending on the development of your baby.

• It is highly important to seek proper prenatal care throughout your entire pregnancy to ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby.

References

• Baby Center: Pregnancy Due Date Calculator
• Amazing Pregnancy: Your Pregnancy Calendar