Turn the wheel until the
calendar marker (figure 1) is
pointing to the first day of your period (this can be either your last menstrual period if you think you might be pregnant, or your next period if you are planning a pregnancy).
The conception marker (figure 2) shows when you are most likely
to get pregnant. This assumes that you are having fairly regular periods about once a month. (The average is every 28 days.) If your cycles are longer or shorter, you may ovulate (release an egg) later or earlier respectively. If your periods are quite irregular, there may be other signs of ovulation that you can watch for. Ask your health care provider about this. They may also suggest a blood test to see if you are ovulating.
The due date marker
(figure 3) shows you your "due date", if you were to become pregnant (conceive) in this cycle. We prefer to talk about a "due month", because the likelihood of delivering on your due date if your labour starts spontaneously is only
about 4%. Using the Pregnancy Planning Guide, you will be able to see the chance of delivering in the 6 days,
2 weeks and 5 weeks around your due date.
At A Glance Views
Once you have set the Pregnancy Planning Guide to your dates, you will have an individualized, "at a glance" view of the timing of many of the events of pregnancy. The Guide will show you how your baby is developing including when the heart is beating, when the baby can hear and when the baby can survive outside the womb. It shows you when your pregnancy test will first turn positive and when certain tests, such as ultrasound and maternal serum screening, will be offered by your caregiver. It tells you when you are likely to first feel your baby move.
Best Evidence Answers for Commonly Asked Questions
On the reverse side are a number of commonly asked questions and their answers based on the best evidence available from high quality studies. Please review the Medical References page to see what studies were used to build the guide's question and answers section.
We hope you will discuss any questions you have with your maternity caregiver. As new evidence arises, the Pregnancy Planning Guide will be updated.
Please see the Updates Section.