How do I calculate my ‘due date’ and when am I ‘overdue’?
Due date is calculated by adding 7 days and 9 months to the start of your last menstrual period. This is of course, assuming that you have a regular 28 day cycle! If not, the dates may be out by 1-2 weeks. That is why ‘due date’ can be anywhere between 38 and 42 weeks gestation! So don’t let your doctor tell you that you’re ‘overdue’ when you get to 40 weeks and 1 day (or earlier!). You’re not technically ‘overdue’ until you go past 42 weeks! Of course, if there is a concern for the mother or baby’s wellbeing before this date, there may be an indication to start labour sooner.
Generally though, mums know their cycles better than anyone else and should know by how they’re feeling and how much their baby is moving, as to whether anything is wrong. So listen to your body, trust your intuition and allow the baby to choose it’s birthdate.
Filed under: Questions & Answers | Tagged: birthdate, due date, gestation, intuition, overdue
