Due Diligence:

Parents are overjoyed when they realise that they have a little bundle of joy on the way and like with most things in life, we immediately start to plan for the future and prepare ourselves for life with a baby. You might start daydreaming of decorating a baby room and buying cute tiny clothes. You’ll also start thinking about the cost of raising a child, whether it’s going to be a boy or a girl and what schools you’ll send them to.

One of the most common things that parents ask when they find out they are expecting is, when exactly is our baby going to be born? By knowing this, some of your other questions will answer themselves. Like, for example, the type of clothes your baby is going to need if they are going to arrive in winter or summer.

Let’s take a closer look at how you can calculate your due date, so you can get ready for the new arrival.

How Do You Calculate It Exactly?

Right, let's get into the nitty-gritty mathematical formula of how to calculate your due date. It's actually fairly simple. Add 280 days or 40 weeks to the first day of your last period. For example, if your last menstrual period was 1 February, then your due date will be 8 November. Or you can calculate it by adding one year, subtracting three months, and adding seven days to the first day of your last period. This method also leads to the same result of a total of 280 days or 40 weeks. If these methods seem to be a bit tedious, you can always use a pregnancy due date calculator website or app to work it out for you. Interestingly, the two weeks before conception, which includes your period and ovulation, is also counted as you being 'pregnant'. So if your baby is born on your due date, your time actually being pregnant is 38 weeks and not 40 weeks.

Please remember that this is only an estimated date. Your pregnancy is unique and your baby will arrive when he/she is ready. Most children are born within a week either before or after the estimated due date. If it's your first baby, you might have to wait two weeks before your bundle of joy decides to emerge from his/her very comfortable home.

When The Baby Takes Its Time

So your due date has been and gone and nothing. Now it’s been over a week and you are so uncomfortable and yet excited to meet your baby that you want to cry and laugh at the same time. There are a few things you can do to make the waiting game easier like taking the time to pamper yourself. Get that last pedicure or haircut before the birth. Ask your hubby to give you a great massage or why not treat yourself to a great lunch or dinner out.

You can also take this time to meditate and enjoy time for yourself, as you won’t have much of that once you have a newborn on your hands. Go for a walk and keep on eating nutritional food and stay hydrated. Giving birth is emotionally and physically taxing, you need to have both your mind and body ready for the event.

Be Patient For Your Own Peace Of Mind

If you are waiting for your baby to make his/her appearance, remember that the longer he/she stays in the womb, the stronger they will be when they make their arrival. All you can do is wait and be patient and soon enough you’ll be holding your bundle of joy in your arms.