It’s not always easy to work out an accurate baby due date, especially if it’s the first time you’ve been pregnant. However it should be possible to work out the date of your baby’s birth to within a week or so of the actual date. Here’s how to do it.

A normal pregnancy will last for an average of 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.

There is an easy way to calculate this. Simply add 7 days to the start of your last period and then add 9 months. To make this even easier, there are pregnancy calculators on line which will calculate this for you.

Not not every pregnancy is going to last for exactly 40 weeks. Babies are often born prematurely (less than 37 weeks) or late (after 42 weeks). If your periods are very irregular, calculating a baby due date is a lot harder. There is a test called a pregnancy ultrasound which can help.

If you are going to have a pregnancy ultrasound to find out your due date, it need to be done between 6 and 12 weeks to be accurate. This is a non invasive procedure using sound waves to produce a picture of the growing baby. An ultrasound operator can calculate the baby’s gestational age by measuring certain body parts, for example the circumference of 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 obscures the neck of the womb. Ultrasounds can also find potential health problems with the baby.

Is there a problem when your baby is premature

The chances are much better today for a preterm birth (before 37 weeks). Paediatric care has come a long way in the last 10 years. Babies born between 34 and 37 weeks have an almost 100% survival rate.

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.