Different EDD in France

I was 15 weeks pregnant when I arrived in France; my husband booked an appointment with the hospital doctor. Since I already had prenatal checkups in Manila, I had to show my ultrasound copy and papers from my Doctor in Manila. He asked about my LMP, but I wasn't sure of the exact date. I said the wrong LMP to my Doctor in Manila and here in France. It’s only recently that I found out that my first day of my last menstrual period is 11th of July. I know it’s a bit funny, it just so happen that my 2011 planner was left in England. My bad.

The doctor here in France told me my due was on the 30th of April, I was surprised because my doctor in Manila said I will be due on the 17th of April. I was confused and annoyed. I told myself that I want to go back to Manila because I want a Filipino doctor. I kept telling myself, “why he said a different due date? I know I’m due on 17th of April, 30th of April is too long. That’s impossible.” Then I realized that calculating the due date in France is not the same in Philippines, they have a different method.

In France they calculate the due date two weeks from the first day of last menstrual period. My first day of my last menstrual period was 11^th of July. Two weeks from 11^th of July is 25^th of July, and then add 9 nine months, my due date was 25^th of April (yes, I calculated it myself since I gave the wrong LMP to both doctors :D ). Viola ! That’s the date when my little angel was born.

This calculation is only an estimate. Few women give birth on their due date. I remember my sister told me to expect the baby to come out one week ahead of the due date or one week behind. Every woman is different.