If you are into parenting, you might have heard this term before “Naegele’s Rule?”- Do you know the actual meaning of this term? We have come across many parent-to-be women wondering about this term as they do not have any clues about Naegele’s Rule! What is Naegele’s Rule?- Let’s find out the answers!
What Is Naegele’s Rule – Overview
Naegele’s Rule is a term used for calculating the delivery date of women. If you go to a nursing school, you will be taught to determine the delivery date of a woman by using Naegele’s Rule. In this guide, we will let you know everything about this term.
How to Calculate the Delivery Due Date?
There are two ways to calculate the delivery date of pregnant women, one by using the standard method i.e. using the Pregnancy Wheel and the second one is a widely used method by the professionals i.e. the Nagele’s Rule.
What Is Naegele’s Rule – How to Calculate the Delivery Due Date?
Method 1: Calculate a Woman’s Due Date by Using the Pregnancy Wheel
Most doctors prefer to use this standard method to determine the due date of a pregnant woman. If you have access to the pregnancy wheel, you can easily calculate the due date.
The wheel features months and dates to calculate the due date. The first thing you need to do is select the LMP from the wheel. When you choose the LMP date, the pregnancy wheel will display the due date instantly.
Yes, it is that easy! It doesn’t ask for anything else, select the LMP and determine the due date. It hardly takes a minute to calculate the due with the pregnancy wheel.
Method 2: Calculate Woman’s Due Date by Naegele’s Rule
Naegele’s Rule is a more professional way to calculate the due date of a pregnant woman as it involves some calculations. In nursing schools, the students are taught to calculate the due date using this method.
Key Points about Naegele’s Rule:
- There are some points that you must consider before you start the calculation of your due date using Naegele’s Rule. To determine the due date for any other person, you must ask her about these points before you begin the process.
- The woman’s last menstrual period i.e. LMP is crucial to determine the due date using this method. Without knowing the LMP, you will never calculate the due date.
- The method uses 28 days a month to calculate the due date. The gestation period of a woman is 40 weeks i.e. 280 days. This method uses the same technique to determine the woman’s due date.
- Use 28 days of February month even if it’s a leap year. It keeps the calculation simple.
Remember one thing, Naegele’s Rule is just for the estimation of the due date of a pregnant woman. You have to follow the guidance of your doctor also.
Naegele’s Rule is a more professional way to calculate the due date of a pregnant woman as it involves some calculations. In nursing schools, the students are taught to calculate the due date by using this method.
The rule asks for adding seven days to your LMP and then subtracting three months from the same. Here’s an example to know about the due date in a better way.
Example of Calculating Due Date by Naegele’s Rule
If your LMP was December 1, 2019, then
- Add seven days to the LMP date i.e. December 8, 2019.
- Subtract three months i.e. September 8, 2019
If we talk about the due date of the above scenario, the due date would be September 8, 2019. The due date is derived using Naegele’s Rule.
What if I Forget My Last Menstrual Period Date?
Many women completely forget about their last menstrual period date. They need clarification while determining the due date as they are unaware of their LMP. Well, there are ways to get your last menstrual period date. Let’s find out how it does!
Calculate the Last Menstrual Period Date
If you know the week of your last menstrual period date, your doctor determines the LMP quickly. It is easy to remember the week of your LMP and you must know about it.
If you are completely unaware of your LMP, your doctor will determine the due date using the advanced method- ultrasound method. The ultrasound process tells you more about your due date and other things about your growing baby. Ultrasound is not required if you know your LMP.
How to Calculate the Due Date if a Woman Has Irregular Periods?
Many women have irregular periods or long cycles. In this case, calculating a due date can be a tricky process. Thankfully, we have ways to determine the due date of women with irregular periods or long cycles.
While calculating the due date, doctors would prefer to use the standard pregnancy wheel method i.e. 28-day cycle. However, adding some calculations to this method can easily determine the due date.
They calculate the due date by using the second half cycle of the woman i.e. 14 days. That is the time for ovulation for the next period. If your period is of 36 days, then you might have ovulated on day 22.
It is a general way to determine the ovulation dates for the months. You must use the adjusted LMP to calculate the due date for long cycles and irregular periods. The pregnancy wheel can help you once you determine the ovulation date and the LMP for that particular month.
Here’s a calculation that helps you determine the due date for long cycles or irregular periods.
If your cycle is of 36 days, and the first day of your LMP was December 1, then.
- Add 21 days to the date i.e. December 22
- Subtract 14 days i.e. December 8
December 8 is your adjusted LMP. This is what you need to get your due date using the pregnancy wheel. Now, if you have access to the pregnancy wheel, select December 8 on the wheel and get the due date information.
The Bottom Line
In the early stage of pregnancy, the due date using the pregnancy wheel is used. Some doctors would use Naegele’s Rule to determine the same. If you know about these methods, you can help your colleagues or family members determine their due dates.
Due dates using these methods help us know the estimated delivery date. For more accurate information about the delivery, ultrasounds are prescribed by your doctor. In ultrasound, you would know about your baby’s health and growth with more accuracy!
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I am a dedicated healthcare researcher and an enthusiast specializing in medical grants, medical education and research. Through my articles, I aim to empower healthcare professionals and researchers with valuable insights and resources to navigate these critical aspects effectively.
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