

There is quite a lot of evidence to suggest that when an ultrasound scan in the first trimester is used for the estimate instead of calculating from the last monthly period, the number of apparently “post-term” births (those which occur 15 days or more after the estimated date) is reduced. In that case, if the EDD is later than it should be that could mean that the birth is delayed unnecessarily. Sometimes there are medical reasons such a pre-eclampsia which mean it may be better for a baby to be born as soon as they reach “term” (37 weeks of pregnancy). Induction of labour is routinely offered at 42 weeks of pregnancy (or in some circumstances even earlier) but if the EDD is too early, the baby might be born before s/he is fully prepared for life outside the womb. There is a tendency for midwives and doctors to talk as though the EDD written in your maternity notes is something definite, rather than an estimate which may or may not be accurate. The EDD will be used to decide things like whether your baby seems to be growing too fast or slow, or when you will be offered induction to prevent a long pregnancy, so it’s important to understand how firm a prediction it is. Why does the accuracy of the 'due date' matter?

Only about 5% of babies will arrive on their due date and focusing on this single date can make the end of pregnancy quite stressful. It is common to be given a single 'estimated due date' (EDD) which corresponds the point at which it is estimated that your pregnancy will have lasted 40 weeks. Estimate date of delivery.Please note that this page is awaiting updateĪbout 90% of pregnancies will naturally last between 37 and 42 weeks, and this period is referred to as "term pregnancy". Comparison of pregnancy dating by last menstrual period, ultrasound scanning, and their combination.

This method is the most accurate for women with regular, 28-day menstrual cycles with ovulation taking place on Day 14. It consists of adding 40 weeks, or 280 days, to the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP). The most common initial method of calculating the baby's due date uses a woman's last menstrual period. They include the following: Due Date Based on Last Period There are three main ways through which an estimated due date can be obtained.
