Your estimated due date (EDD) is important as it helps determine when your midwife appointments and scans should be and helps keep track of your baby’s development.
Here’s how to calculate your baby’s due date:
- Calculate based on your last period. This calculation takes into account the average length of a menstrual cycle and gives an estimated date when your baby might arrive. If you know the first day of your last menstrual period, you can use the NHS due date calculator
- Scan at 11-14 Weeks: As part of prenatal care, you will be offered a scan between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy. This scan, known as the dating scan, measures the size of the baby and can provide a more accurate estimate of the due date.
It’s important to keep in mind that every pregnancy is unique, and babies can arrive earlier or later than their estimated due dates. The due date is an estimation based on typical pregnancy lengths, but the actual birth may vary.
You can keep track of your pregnancy and your baby’s development by maintaining regular contact with your midwife throughout your pregnancy to monitor the progress and ensure the health and well-being of both you and your baby.