It’s hard to calculate an accurate baby due date when it’s your first pregnancy. With some simple arithmetic though, you should be able to calculate baby’s birth date to within a couple of weeks. Here’s how to do it.
The average length of a normal pregnancy is 40 weeks. This calculation is always taken from the first day of your last normal period and not from the conception date, because it’s hard to be sure when conception actually happened. As long as your periods are regular, this will tell you when your baby is expected.
For the easiest way to calculate your baby due date, just add 9 months and 7 days to the date of the first day of your last period. To make this even easier, there are pregnancy calculators on line which will calculate this for you.
Of course not every pregnancy is going to go like clockwork. Babies can be born under 37 weeks which is a preterm birth, or over 42 weeks making them late. If you suffer with irregular periods, then calulating your baby due date is not quite so easy. There is a test called a pregnancy ultrasound which can help.
A pregnancy ultrasound should be done as early as possible, at between 6 and 12 weeks for greatest accuracy. An ultrasound is a completely safe test that uses sound waves to form an image of the developing baby. This procedure calculates the gestational age of the baby by measuring key body parts like the baby’s head.
A pregnancy ultrasound can also determine any abnormalities such as ectopic pregnancy, where the fetus has lodged in the fallopian tubes, or placenta praevia where the placenta covers the neck of the womb. Ultrasounds can also find potential health problems with the baby.
Is there a problem when your baby is premature
A premature baby born today has a very high chance of survival (close on 100%) due to the level and expertise of today’s paedeatric care and advances in technology. Therefore there is no need for undue concern.
Having said this, it’s still best if your baby can go full term. Premature infants can be exposed to greater infection risk and respiratory issues. How can you lessen the chances of a preemie baby?
Pregnancy and alcohol don’t mix so please don’t drink alcohol or smoke while pregnant. Make sure your food intake is nutritious and sufficient to maintain both you and your baby. Avoid getting into stressful situations and last but not least, ensure you get a prenatal checkup frequently to make sure your pregnancy is progressing normally.
So working out your baby due date let’s you be organized for the birth of your baby both physically and emotionally. If you’re experiencing difficulty in calculating when your baby is due, your obstetrician is sure to be able to help.
Mail this post
