Understanding Your Pregnancy Timeline

A pregnancy due date is an estimation of when you will give birth. While it provides a great "target," only about 5% of babies are born on their exact due date. It is, however, essential for monitoring your baby's growth and scheduling prenatal care.

How Is the Due Date Calculated?

This calculator uses **Naegele's rule**, which is the standard method used by healthcare professionals. A full-term pregnancy lasts approximately 280 days, or 40 weeks.

• From Last Menstrual Period (LMP): The calculation starts from the first day of your last period. Your due date is 280 days from this date. This means that for the first two weeks, you are not technically pregnant yet; your body is preparing for ovulation.
• From Conception Date: If you know the exact date of conception (often through ovulation tracking or IVF), a pregnancy lasts about 266 days (38 weeks) from this date. Our calculator normalizes this by adding 266 days to your conception date to find your due date.

The Three Trimesters of Pregnancy

A pregnancy is divided into three trimesters, each with its own developmental milestones for your baby and changes for you.

• First Trimester (Week 1 - 13): This is a period of rapid development. The baby's major organs and body systems form.
• Second Trimester (Week 14 - 27): Often called the "golden" trimester, as many early pregnancy symptoms subside. The baby continues to grow and you will likely start to feel movement.
• Third Trimester (Week 28 - Birth): The baby gains weight rapidly and prepares for birth.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial during this time. For guidance on nutritional intake, you can adapt the advice from our general Calorie Calculator, though pregnancy-specific advice from your doctor is always best.

Important Medical Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimation for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The results should be confirmed with a healthcare provider, who can give you the most accurate date based on an ultrasound. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding your pregnancy.