Introduction
Determining the pregnancy due dates can sometimes be a bit challenging. After all, due dates are not an exact science but rather educated estimates. But then how will you be able to calculate your baby’s due date?
This blog will help you understand the ways to calculate a baby’s due date and cover.
How To Calculate A Baby’s Due Date?
Traditionally, due dates are calculated using a method known as Naegele’s rule. This involves taking the start date of your last menstrual period, adding a year, subtracting three months, and then adding seven days. If your menstrual cycle is consistent and predictable, this method can provide a fairly accurate estimation. However, it doesn’t consider irregularities in cycle length or ovulation variability.
With medical technology advancing, doctors now rely on ultrasound pregnancy scans to calculate the due date. Expectant mothers can book a pregnancy ultrasound in Melbourne during the first trimester. The best window for accurate dating is between 6 and 8 weeks of your pregnancy. During this early stage, pregnancies exhibit minimal variation, making it easier to pinpoint the due date. However, as your pregnancy progresses, foetal development rates can differ significantly, reducing the accuracy of the estimated due date.
Should You Get a Dating Scan?
A dating scan is an ultrasound pregnancy scan done between 6 and 12 weeks of pregnancy to estimate the anticipated due date of the baby. During the initial stages of pregnancy, most babies with the same gestational age are the same size. The dating scan ultrasound measures your baby’s dimensions, allowing your doctor to estimate how far along you are in the pregnancy and give a due date.
Not every expecting mother needs to opt for the dating scan. But it is undoubtedly helpful for finding an estimated pregnancy due date. You must obtain an accurate estimated due date (EDD) of the baby to schedule the recommended tests at appropriate intervals.
The dating scan is like any other pregnancy scan and may be conducted through the abdomen or transvaginally. The test can be performed by any trained and certified sonographer in Melbourne.
During a dating scan, your baby’s ‘crown-rump length’ (CRL) is measured. This refers to your baby’s length from head to bottom. The CRL helps doctors examine the baby’s gestational age and probable due date.
How Much Does a Dating Scan Cost?
Medicare, the government health scheme, will cover your expenses for most pregnancy scans, including a dating scan ultrasound. Ensure these scans are referred to you by your obstetrician.
Finally, Due Dates Are Not Exact
It is important to remember that while having an accurate estimated due date is important, it will still be based on assumption. Most babies are not born on the precise due date. Several factors, such as genetics, lifestyle, and medical history, can influence when your baby arrives.
Embrace the flexibility of this time frame and trust that your body and baby will determine the perfect moment for your little one to join the world. As you eagerly await your baby’s arrival, remember that regardless of the exact due date, the journey of motherhood is a remarkable and transformative experience.
If you want to get a pregnancy scan for an estimated due date, call us at 03 9021 0018 to schedule an appointment.
