How Accurate is Your Due Date?

19 snips

Jan 4, 2026

Determining a due date can feel like a pregnancy rite of passage, but it’s more of an estimate than a hard deadline. Discover how the 280-day rule is based on outdated assumptions and why real pregnancy lengths vary. Learn about the importance of early ultrasounds for accuracy and the risks tied to going past 42 weeks. Alternatives like ranges and personalized history could reshape how we approach due dates in the future. Tune in for insights on anxiety, prenatal care, and the emotional rollercoaster of waiting for baby!

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INSIGHT

Due Dates Are Estimates, Not Deadlines

Due dates are estimates, not exact deadlines, and they drive nearly every part of prenatal care.
Most babies are not born on their due date, so expect a range rather than a single day.

INSIGHT

Average Pregnancy Is Slightly Longer Than 280 Days

Average pregnancy length studies cluster around 282–283 days from the last menstrual period.
Only about 3–5% of babies are born exactly on their calculated due date.

ANECDOTE

Reactions To A Holiday Due Date

Vanessa shares that her daughter was due December 26th and people reacted with comments about a "Christmas baby."
She notes you can give a specific date or a ballpark depending on how much feedback you want.

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One of the first things you do when you find out you are pregnant is to determine your due date. This date rules everything about your pregnancy, from your prenatal care to the timing of your baby shower. This is also the most common question from friends, family, and strangers. As you get close to your due date, there can be a lot of anxiety, especially if your due date comes and goes, and you are still pregnant. This date estimates when your baby will arrive; it is not exact. It is certainly not a deadline. The calculation we use today is hundreds of years old, and the evidence doesn't fully agree with it. This episode examines how to calculate your due date, the accuracy of these calculations, and what this means for your pregnancy.

Full article and resources for this episode: https://pregnancypodcast.com/duedate/

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