What does due date mean?

I believe that women who have given birth must have some understanding of the expected date of delivery. But for some friends, they don’t understand what the due date means. The due date is actually the predicted date of delivery of the mother. Learning to calculate the due date is very important for expectant parents, as it helps people prepare in advance before delivery and welcome the newborn. Let’s take a look at some knowledge about the expected date of delivery.

Due date is the date a pregnant woman is expected to give birth.

The due date is not the exact date of delivery. Scientists have calculated that only about 53% of women give birth on their due date.

Since it is difficult for every pregnant woman to accurately determine the time of conception, medical regulations stipulate that the expected date of delivery is calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period. The entire pregnancy period is 280 days, or 10 gestation months (each gestation month is 28 days).

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.

Regarding the question of what the due date means, I believe that after reading the above content, many friends have some understanding. Nowadays, many female friends will work outside even when they are pregnant or about to give birth. The due date can roughly predict the date of delivery, so many female friends can make preparations for delivery before giving birth.