After you've taken the test, you're probably curious about when your baby is expected to be born. The date on which your baby is expected to be born is called BF and stands for estimated date of delivery. Understanding how to calculate the due date can be tricky, because there are certain aspects to take into account. Let us guide you through them! 

Calculating bf is important for several reasons: it helps you plan and prepare for your baby's arrival and gives you a clear timeframe to follow the development of your pregnancy. For healthcare professionals, it is also necessary, among other things, to be able to see that your baby is following the growth curve at the right pace.

Calculating bf - how to do it

There are several ways to calculate your due date, but the most commonly used and accurate way is to find out the first day of your last menstrual period and count from that. Once you have your date for the first day of your last period, you just add 280 days. The average length of a pregnancy is 280 days (about 40 weeks). The date you get is the date of your expected delivery. If you find it difficult to calculate yourself, we recommend using our pregnancy calculator.

It is important to remember that the date of your estimated delivery is an estimate of when labor may occur. It is impossible to know exactly when your labor will start, unless you have a planned delivery by caesarean section, for example. Your midwife will monitor the progress of your pregnancy and adjust your estimated delivery date if necessary.

Other methods for calculating bf

There are other methods to calculate bf, such as ultrasound scans and special formulas. These methods are usually used by the midwife early in pregnancy if you have an irregular cycle. Later in your pregnancy, at week 18, an ultrasound called a RUL (routine ultrasound) is done, and your bf may change.

Calculating your BF gives you an indication of when your baby will arrive, but does not have to be the exact date of delivery. The baby can arrive before or after this date, but most importantly when your baby and your body are ready.

Read also: Guide: how to take out pregnancy insurance