In France, an expected date of delivery is systematically expected nine months after the expected date of the onset of pregnancy, i.e. 41 weeks (weeks of amenorrhea, i.e. weeks without periods) (1). For example, if the date of the last period is March 10, the start of pregnancy is estimated, in the case of regular ovulatory cycles, March 24; the DPA is therefore set at December 24 (March 24 + 9 months). To do this calculation, the gynecologist or midwife uses a “pregnancy disc”.

However, this is only a theoretical date that various elements can influence:

• the duration of the cycle: this calculation method is valid for regular cycles of 28 days
• the date of ovulation which may vary, even on a regular cycle, or even from one cycle to another
• the survival time of the egg and sperm, which can affect the date of fertilization

Another tool will make it possible to confirm or correct this first theoretical date: the first pregnancy ultrasound performed at 12 WA and moreover called “dating ultrasound”. During this ultrasound, the doctor will count the number of fetuses, check its vitality and perform a biometry (taking measurements) which will make it possible to estimate the age of pregnancy and therefore the expected date of delivery. Will be measured:

• the cranio-caudal length or LCC, which corresponds to the head-to-buttocks length of the embryo
• the biparietal diameter or Bip, namely the diameter of the skull

These two values ​​are compared with reference curves and allow a dating of the pregnancy and an estimate of the age of the fetus to within 3 days. This ultrasound is considered the best method of dating pregnancy (2).

Even if the ultrasound can reliably date the age of pregnancy, there is still another data that can affect the delivery date: the duration of the pregnancy itself. However, this is also an estimate; moreover, in many countries, the duration of pregnancy is not calculated at 9 months but a week earlier, i.e. 40 weeks. (3) Depending on the calculation methods, genetic factors and certain maternal characteristics, the duration of pregnancy varies between 280 and 290 days from the first day of the last period (for a regular cycle of 28 days). The duration of pregnancy therefore varies between 40 + 0 and 41 + 3 weeks (4). A recent study (5) even showed that the average duration from ovulation to childbirth was 268 days (i.e. 38 weeks and 2 days) with strong disparities (up to 5 weeks) depending on the mother.