What should a pregnant woman do if she hasn't given birth by the due date?

Pregnancy generally lasts ten months. When the time comes, pregnant women will show signs of giving birth. What is the reason if the due time has passed but the baby has not been born? There are many reasons why pregnant women have not given birth after the due date, and each one is different. Let us summarize what they are.

1. Menstrual reverse algorithm

This is the most common calculation method. Counting backwards based on 280 days (40 weeks), add 9 (or subtract 3) to the month of the day of the last menstrual period, and then add 7 to the date. For example: if the last menstrual period was on January 15th, then 1 plus 9 equals 10, 15 plus 7 equals 22, and the expected date of delivery is October 22nd. For example, if the last menstrual period was on September 25, then 9 minus 3 equals 6, 25 plus 7 equals 32, and the expected date of delivery is June 32, but June only has 30 days, so it can be calculated that it should be July 2. This reverse calculation is based on a 28-day menstrual cycle and must therefore be modified according to the length of the individual's menstrual cycle.

2. Pregnancy calendar calculation method: Using a commercially available round or disc-shaped pregnancy calendar, you can compare it with the day when the last menstrual period started to calculate the number of weeks of pregnancy and the expected date of delivery. This method may differ from the reverse menstrual calculation method by 2 or 3 days.

3. Count from fetal movement

The feeling of the fetus moving inside the body (uterus) is called "conscious fetal movement". The first time you feel fetal movement is usually between the 19th and 20th week of pregnancy, which is the 5th month (20th week) on the pregnancy calendar, so adding 22 weeks (5 months and 4 days) is the expected date of delivery. The period of time when fetal movement is felt often varies from person to person, so this algorithm is not accurate.

4. Calculate based on morning sickness

Most pregnant women will experience morning sickness starting from the 4th or 5th week. When morning sickness starts, add 250 to get the expected date of delivery. However, the onset of morning sickness varies from person to person, so it cannot be considered an accurate method. 6. Calculate the gestational age and due date based on the B-ultrasound examination by measuring the biparietal diameter, crown-rump length and femur length (this method is mostly used by doctors for diagnosis through B-ultrasound examination).

5. Basal body temperature curve calculation method

This calculation method is to calculate the expected date of delivery by determining the ovulation day. Women need to measure their body temperature with a thermometer after getting up in the morning, record it every day, and string the data together after one month. Find the low temperature segment in the chart. The last day of this segment is the ovulation day. Once you determine your ovulation date, add 38 weeks to that date to get your due date.

6. Calculation based on B-ultrasound examination:

When doctors perform B-ultrasound, they can measure the biparietal diameter of the fetal head, the crown-rump length and the femur length to estimate the gestational age and calculate the expected date of delivery (this method is mostly used by doctors for B-ultrasound diagnosis).

If a pregnant woman has not given birth by the due date, the most conservative way is to go to the hospital for some examinations to see what the specific cause is. After finding the cause, we can solve the problem according to the specific situation. Sometimes the child cannot wait, so it is important to make a decision.