Pregnancy Due Date.

Why is a pregnancy due date important?
A pregnancy due date is important in pregnancy because it helps your doctor determine when to perform certain tests or procedures. It also helps estimate baby's growth and may indicate whether you are overdue or in premature labor.

Is there any other way to determine when my pregnancy due date ?
Yes. Add 7 days to the date of the beginning of your last menstrual period, then subtract 3 months. This gives you the approximate date of delivery. For example, if your last period began on January 20, your estimated due date is October 27.

I'm confused about how my doctor determines when my baby is due. Can you explain it so I can understand it?
Most women don't know the exact date their baby was conceived, but they often know the day their last menstrual period began. The doctor adds 2 weeks to the date of the last period as an estimate of when conception occurred. Your estimated due date is 38 weeks after the date of conception (40 weeks after the first day of your last period).

My doctor mentioned the gestational age of my baby. What is it?
Gestational age, also called menstrual age, dates a pregnancy from the first day of the last menstrual period. It is 2 weeks longer than the fertilization age.

What is the fertilization age?
Fertilization age, also called ovulatory age, is 2 weeks shorter than gestational age and dates from the approximate date of conception. This is the age of the fetus.

These dating techniques are confusing. When my doctor says I'm 12 weeks' pregnant, how old is my baby?
Most doctors count the time during pregnancy in weeks. If your doctor says you're 12 weeks' pregnant, he or she's referring to the gestational age. Your last menstrual period began 12 weeks ago, but you actually conceived 10 weeks ago, so the fetus is 10 weeks old.