All About Due Dates

Why Are Due Dates Important?

Your prenatal record contains hundreds of pieces of information:  Blood pressures, lab results, ultrasound reports, past medical history, etc.  Of all the information in your prenatal record, your due date is the single, most important item.  Every time that your care provider makes a decision about you and your baby during the course of your pregnancy, that decision must be made in the context of how far along you are in your pregnancy. 

For example, certain medications are safe to take at certain times in your pregnancy, but unsafe at other times.  An accurate due date allows your care provider to safely prescribe medications during your pregnancy.  If you are having labor contractions, the first thing that your care provider will do is to look at your due date.  If you are less than 36 weeks gestation, your care provider may try to stop your labor, or may transfer you to a hospital that is better equipped to care for a premature baby.

Because of its importance to you and your baby, your care provider should put a great deal of care into assuring that your due date is accurate and reliable.