Every expecting parent can’t just wait to see their baby for the first time. Though there is no clear cut way to really determine the exact due date of a pregnancy, there are certain ways that are said to predict or calculate the date with close proximity. One of the methods used by most expecting parent and physicians to determine the due date of a pregnancy is the so called pregnancy calculator.

A pregnancy calculator is based on the normal 9 month duration of a pregnancy. The starting date is reckoned from the first day of the last menstrual cycle of the pregnant mother. A 40 weeks period is then added to determine the approximate due date. The 40 weeks period is equivalent to 266 days from the date of conception or 280 days if reckoned from the date of the first day of the last menstrual cycle.

Though this method may not be that accurate, still this is highly effective to at least determine, with close proximity, the month or even the exact week of the infant’s birth.

One of the primary problems in using this method is the inability to determine the first day of the last menstrual cycle or the determined date is false or erroneous. A false starting period is sure to result to erroneous results. Mothers who are uncertain or unable to determine the first date of their last menstrual cycle may undergo an early ultrasound to determine how old the embryo is. The age of the embryo is then deducted to the 40 weeks period.

Expecting mothers often construe implantation bleeding or spotting to be a regular menstrual cycle, thus, they often start reckoning the 40 week period from the said date. An implantation bleeding and spotting are already signs of pregnancy.

The due date determined by a pregnancy calculator or any other forms or methods to determine the due date of a pregnancy is not 100% accurate. There are certain instances where infants are born prematurely due to certain factors and there are also instances where the infant is born after the calculated date. But these two instances should not really cause you much of a trouble since they are pretty normal.

But why should you determine your date? What advantages does knowing your due date gives you?

1. You will have a clearer grasp as to the things that you can and can’t do. Remember, the months nearing the due date are the most crucial stages of pregnancy. There are certain things that should no longer be done during the said period and knowing the due date can really help determine when to stop doing the prohibited actions.

2. Expecting parents can at least know when to admit the mother to the hospital. It is highly advisable for expecting mother’s to be already confined in the hospital at least two weeks prior to the date. Given the calculated due date, an expecting mother can now have an idea when to go to the hospital.

There is more information about Pregnancy calculator tools on the web but also about matters that concern the family.