Is the Calculation of Expected Delivery Date Based on the Start or End of the Last Menstrual Period?
Generally, the expected date of delivery is calculated based on the start date of the last menstrual period. For this calculation method to be accurate, it is necessary that the pregnant woman has a regular menstrual cycle. If the menstrual cycle is irregular, the expected date of delivery may be affected. Typically, the entire pregnancy period lasts 280 days, divided into 10 months, with each month consisting of 28 days. Another method involves adding 9 to the month of the last menstrual period or subtracting 3, which gives the month of the expected delivery date. Then, adding 7 to the day of the last menstrual period allows for the calculation of the expected delivery date. For example, if the last menstrual period was on May 18, 2019, adding 5 to 9 gives 14, and adding 18 to 7 gives 25. Therefore, the expected delivery date for the pregnant woman would be February 25, 2020.
Tips to Promote Baby's Development for the Expected Delivery Date
1. Walking
Walking can help the fetus descend into the pelvis, relax the pelvic ligaments, and prepare for childbirth. During this time, you can accompany the expectant mother for walks, arranged twice a day, morning and evening, for 20 minutes each time. It is best to choose a park or shady path with good air quality and a peaceful environment for walking.
2. Climbing Stairs
Many doctors recommend that expectant mothers who have passed their due date but have not yet shown any signs of childbirth should climb stairs regularly. This can help strengthen the muscles of the thighs and hips and assist the fetus in descending into the pelvis, thus facilitating the earlier arrival of the first stage of labor. Many expectant mothers report that their babies start to move after climbing stairs. However, the number of floors to climb should be reasonably arranged based on the expectant mother's physical condition to avoid overexertion. If the expectant mother has a symphysis pubis diastasis, she should avoid excessive exercise as it may increase discomfort and hinder rapid recovery after childbirth.
