Are you in the process of choosing and OB/GYN? Check out these 8 questions that will help you get it...
Read MoreSame Day Appointments Available
Same Day Appointments Available
Same Day Appointments Available
Same Day Appointments Available
There are two ways to determine your due date: the LMP method and the ultrasound method. It is important to remember that a due date is just an estimate.
One of the most frequently asked questions after having a positive pregnancy test is, “When is my due date?” For some women, this is an easy question, with a straightforward answer. However, for others, it can be tricky to determine a baby’s due date.
It is important to remember that a due date is just an estimate. In fact, only about 5% of women will actually deliver their baby on their due date. It is normal for a woman to deliver her baby anywhere from two weeks before her due date to two weeks after her due date.
DUE DATE BASED ON PERIOD DATES:
Most women can use their LMP (Last Menstrual Period) to help determine their estimated due date. A normal pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks (280 days) from the first day of the last period.
I am sure you are asking yourself, “Why did I start counting from the first day of my last period? I was not even pregnant yet!” That is a great question! It is exceedingly difficult to tell exactly when a woman conceived and became pregnant…but most women DO know the first day of their last period, so doctors around the globe use the first day of a woman’s period to start the pregnancy countdown!
If you know your LMP, using a pregnancy calculator is the easiest way to determine your estimated due date! All you need to do is plug in the first day of your last period! A pregnancy calculator assumes a woman has a 28-day cycle, but since not every woman does, you may notice your OB provider adjusts your due date by a few days once they have performed the initial ultrasound.
Online Pregnancy Calculators can also be a wonderful resource. Most of them will help you determine your due date, help you know exactly which week of pregnancy you are in, and can even give you interesting information about the size of your baby and what developmental milestones your baby is making.
Looking for a place to start? Check out these online resources: American Pregnancy and Baby Center.
DUE DATE BASED ON ULTRASOUND:
On average, a woman’s cycle lasts 28 days (about 4 weeks). This means most women ovulate (can become pregnant) around the 14th day of their cycle.
Not every woman falls into what is considered ‘average’. Some women do not have regular periods. Some women skip periods. Some women ovulate at various times of the month. Some women just do not keep track of their periods. So, it is not always as easy as counting 280 days from the first day of a woman’s period.
Also, strangely enough, women do not necessarily conceive (become pregnant) on the day they have sex. Sperm can live up to 5 days in fallopian tubes, just waiting to meet up with an egg. An egg can be fertilized for up to 24 hours after it has been released from the ovary. Because of this, it is difficult to know exactly when a woman conceives, which makes it difficult to determine the due date!
But that is ok… because an ultrasound done early in pregnancy is another wonderful way to determine an estimated due date. The earlier an ultrasound is performed, the more accurate the estimated due date will be. Did you know, you can have an ultrasound as soon as 6 weeks after your last period to help determine your due date?
At Alcove Health Women’s Clinic, we are here to help! All of our services are free and confidential – including our pregnancy tests and our ultrasounds. Give us a call or visit our appointment page today to schedule your appointment with Alcove Health!
Are you in the process of choosing and OB/GYN? Check out these 8 questions that will help you get it...
Read More
What should you avoid during pregnancy? Check out these 5 important things to skip for a healthier pregnancy and baby.
Read More
"Who should I tell first after a positive pregnancy test?" Learn how to choose a trusted support person and what...
Read More
"I'm afraid of doing this alone." If you're facing an unplanned pregnancy, you're not alone. Support is here.
Read More