Think you’re pregnant? Or have you just received a BFP? Input some information into this handy pregnancy due date calculator, which will predict an estimated due date by LMP.
Have a few questions? We’ll answer them below.
What to Expect From the Pregnancy Due Date Calculator?
When you input the information into the pregnancy due date calculator, it automatically calculates an estimated due date (EDD) based on lmp (last .
It will also tell you the estimated conception date, how many days have passed, and how many more days to go in your pregnancy.
What is LMP?
LMP simply stands for last menstrual period. For calculation purposes, you need to know the first day of your lmp, which is the onset of bleeding.
What is a Luteal Phase?
This is the phase of your menstrual cycle that occurs after ovulation and before your period begins. You can read more about the Luteal Phase and what a Luteal Phase Defect could mean for someone hoping to get pregnant.
How to Calculate Your Due Date
One way to calculate your due date is to count 40 weeks, or 280 days, from the first day of your last period, or LMP.
A second way to calculate your due date with LMP is to subtract 3 months from the first day of your last period and then add 7 days.
If you have irregular cycles, using calculation methods based on LMP isn’t going to be as reliable. In this instance, if you remember your conception date, simply add 266 days to get your EDD.
Ultrasounds have also been used to calculate an estimated due date, but according to First Cry “…it is safe to say that the accuracy of the ultrasound decreases as the pregnancy progresses. Hence ultrasounds cannot be 100 percent correct and reliable.”
Remember, though, that estimated due dates are just that! Estimations!
How Soon Can I Take a Pregnancy Test?
For the most accurate results, it is recommended to wait 1 week after the first missed period before taking a pregnancy test.
Don’t want to wait for a missed period?
Patience is key because if you take a pregnancy test too soon, you can receive inaccurate results.
If you’re impatient, it’s recommended to wait at least 1 to 2 weeks after sex before taking a pregnancy test.
Can My Due Date Change?
This is rare, so exercise caution about having your due date changed later in the pregnancy, especially if you’re certain about your LMP or date of conception.
But, due dates can be changed for medical reasons. Discuss this thoroughly with your doctor, ask questions, and if you’re sure of your LMP or conception date, stand up for you and your baby.
What Are the Chances I Give Birth on My Due Date?
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, “About 60 out of 100 women give birth on or before their given due date. In another 35 out of 100 women, contractions start on their own within two weeks of the due date. But it takes longer in about 5 out of 100 women.”
In an article, The Evidence: On Due Dates, they share that a “[s]tudy finds that estimated due date should be closer to 40 weeks and 5 days.”
