How Your Due Date is Calculated
Your due date is determined by several factors. If you know the conception date, you can calculate 38 weeks ahead of that to find your due date as the human gestation period is about 38 weeks. However, very few expecting mothers know the exact date of conception. Sperm can survive inside your body for five days, which makes it close to impossible to determine exactly when you conceived. This can mean that you can get pregnant five days after you have engaged in sexual intercourse if your body releases an egg which gets fertilised by waiting sperm. This makes it very difficult to calculate the due date using only the conception date as a reference.
First Day of Last Period
The best way to calculate your due date is by counting 38-40 weeks ahead from the first date of your last menstrual cycle. You can choose that option from our tool’s menu above. While this tool does not take into account the length of your cycle, it is generally accurate as most women ovulate about two weeks before the start of their periods. Women are also more likely to know the date their period started, as opposed to the ovulation date. You can use the due date calculator to predict your due date if you know the date of your last period.Conception Date
If you somehow do know the date you conceived, for example by using an ovulation tracker or if you were monitoring your ovulation symptoms, you can calculate your due date based on the date of conception. Just choose that option from the drop-down menu in the tool above. Please remember that conception does not necessarily occur on the day you had sexual intercourse.IVF Transfer Date
If you have conceived using the IVF method, you can calculate your due date by choosing the IVF option on our tool. If you had an embryo transfer on day 5, calculate 261 days ahead and if you had an embryo transfer on day 3, calculate 263 days ahead. If you use our tool, you do not need to do anything other than enter the date of the transfer. The tool will do the rest.Ultrasound Scans
An ultrasound scan can help your doctor determine when your baby will arrive. This can predict your due date as early as the first trimester. However, not every woman will need an ultrasound during the initial phases of prenatal testing. The timing of the first ultrasound can sometimes predict your due date more accurately. For this, all you need to do is choose ‘ultrasound’ from the drop-down menu above.
FAQs About The Due Date Calculator
Can a due date change?
Based on the findings of prenatal tests and regular checkups, your doctor may revise your due date. If the baby measures as bigger or smaller than expected based on the initial scans, the due date may need revision. This will most likely happen when a woman’s menstrual cycle is irregular, making it hard to accurately pinpoint the conception date. During an ultrasound examination, your doctor will measure your baby and how far along you are, then provide you with a revised due date.
What can I do if I already know my due date?
You can use the pregnancy calculator to check your entire pregnancy timeline if you already know your due date. This will keep you updated and prepared for different milestones and when you might need to visit a doctor for your next prenatal check.
Will I give birth on my due date?
Due date calculations are approximate, no matter where you get them from, be it the due date calculator tool or a doctor. Only about one in twenty women deliver on their due dates. You are more likely to go into labour any day during the two weeks before or after your due date.
When can I take a pregnancy test?
To get the most accurate results, it is best to wait from a few days to a week after your missed period to take a pregnancy test. Despite what a lot of tests advertise, you may not get an accurate result if you take the test before your missed period. At-home urine tests work by measuring the amount of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in your body. You may be able to get your results sooner if you get a blood test at the doctor’s office. While these tests also measure the amount of hCG in your blood, they are more sensitive than at-home urine tests. Blood tests can detect a pregnancy 6 to 8 days after ovulation.
Disclaimer: For accurate information, please consult your doctor.
