Knowing the special day your little one will join the world can help you make key decisions: when to book that babymoon, when to begin your maternity leave, or even when to sneak in a spontaneous wedding. Here’s a light-hearted guide to figuring out your baby’s due date:
Start by counting 40 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period. If that date is a blur, think back to the last memorable quarrel you had with your partner—it’s likely around that time.
Now, make these adjustments:
- If you’re expecting twins, subtract three weeks.
- If you feel like you might be having twins based on your size, deduct one week instead.
- Add two weeks if you’re known for your chronic tardiness.
- Add an extra week if you’re already 36 weeks along and still haven’t settled on a doctor who supports your birth plan.
- If you tend to overanalyze things, add another week. Or maybe just subtract one week? Oh, who knows—just add one!
If your best friend has the same due date as you, subtract a day. It’s classic her to steal your spotlight! If your feet are swelling like a sponge, take off a week and a half—who needs that discomfort?
Add a day if your IKEA crib hasn’t shown up yet, and tack on six more days if you’re clueless about assembling it. If this isn’t your first rodeo, subtract a week. But if the realization of juggling two kids just hit you, add a week for a breather.
If your partner pleads with you not to go into labor on St. Patrick’s Day, take off three days. Feeling adventurous? Try an online lunar birth date predictor your friend recommended on social media. While you’re at it, why not guess the gender of your baby? If you’re carrying low, you’re having a girl, right? Try again with the moon’s cycle factored in.
If you’ve got tickets to a Bon Jovi concert on your due date, add another week to your calculation. And if your sister has requested you not to give birth on her birthday or wedding day, add another week for good measure.
Take the number of days you’ve been pregnant, multiply that by the months you plan to breastfeed, and divide it by the maternity leave your job offers. Voilà! You’ve calculated your due date. Your baby will likely arrive sometime within six weeks of that special date. Happy planning!
For more tips on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource. If you’re curious about other topics related to this journey, you can explore our post on sample pages. And for a thorough guide on the fertility journey, visit Make a Mom.
Summary:
Determining your baby’s due date can be fun and even a bit quirky. By following a few light-hearted steps and making some adjustments based on your unique circumstances, you can arrive at a probable delivery date. Remember to consider factors like whether you’re having twins, your past experiences with pregnancy, and even your social calendar.