To calculate the estimated date of the last menstrual period (LMP) for a woman, especially if you want to estimate her due date for a pregnancy, you can follow these steps:
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Identify the First Day of the Last Menstrual Period: This is the date when her last menstrual cycle started.
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Calculate the Estimated Due Date (EDD):
- Add 280 days (or 40 weeks) to the first day of the last menstrual period. This is based on the average length of a pregnancy.
- Alternatively, you can use the Naegele's Rule, which is a standard way to estimate the due date:
- Take the first day of the last menstrual period.
- Add one year.
- Subtract three months.
- Add seven days.
Example Calculation:
- Assume the first day of the last menstrual period is March 1, 2023.
Using Naegeleās Rule:
- Start with March 1, 2023.
- Add one year: March 1, 2024.
- Subtract three months: December 1, 2023.
- Add seven days: December 8, 2023.
Estimated Due Date: December 8, 2023.
Thus, the baby is estimated to be due around December 8, 2023, based on a last menstrual period that started on March 1, 2023.