subject: Calculating Your Baby's Due Date [print this page] Wouldn't it be great if you can accurately predict when your baby's birth due date will be?
There are online baby due calculators that you can use, where your baby's due date is calculated approximately 280 days or 40 weeks after the first day of your last menstrual cycle.
It is, however, only an approximate estimate, and most pregnant women will deliver the baby on the week childbirth is predicted, and sometimes within two weeks after.
Often, the delivery happens after the expected baby due date rather than before it.
It has been observed that first time births usually come about 8 days later than the birth due date using this formula. For most women who had given birth before, on the average, delivery happens 3 days past the predicted date.
Signs Your Baby Due Date Is Getting Near
Aside from using a baby due calculator, you can pay attention to your body changes and sensations that you may feel as you progress on your pregnancy. These are common experiences that women approaching their pregnancy due dates will have so do not be alarmed. Instead, be more aware of these changes, and prepare yourself physically, mentally and emotionally to handle the big day.
1. You may experience some contractions about two weeks before delivery.
2. If your water "breaks", this is a sure indication that childbirth will happen within twenty four hours.
3. You may also experience bloating, abnormal bowel movements (constipation or diarrhea), inability to sleep and restlessness.
As your due date approaches, you need to decide on your choice of birth method (either natural, with pain relievers or by caesarian section) and choose the place where you want to deliver the baby. You would also need to prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for the big day, by avoiding stress as much as possible, and getting enough rest.
It is best also to take childbirth preparation lessons, preferably with your spouse or partner. These lessons will help you manage labor pains and gives you an opportunity to meet other mothers-to-be and share your pregnancy experiences with them.
Keep all your prenatal appointments and discuss with your doctor any of your questions or concerns, which will help ease some of your worries as the date approaches. Your child birth due date should be a joyful occasion.
Focus on having a healthy pregnancy and try not to be too anxious about the due date. Instead, enjoy your pregnancy keep a positive outlook.
Your attitude will determine the ease or difficulty of your labor, so it is important to make it a stress-free pregnancy as possible.
