HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Katz, V. L. Articles by Carpenter, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Katz, V. L. Articles by Carpenter, M.

Why We Should Eliminate the Due Date: A Truth in Jest

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sacred Heart Medical Center, Eugene, Oregon

Address reprint requests to: Vern L. Katz, MD, Center for Genetics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, 1200 Hilyard Street, Suite 570, Eugene, OR 97401; E-mail: vkatz{at}peacehealth.org.

We currently use flawed calculations to set a woman’s due date based on menstrual periods to determine gestational age. We use the estimated gestational age to make management decisions based on our patients’ individual needs. This principle is in contrast to our patients’ use of dating to set an estimated date of confinement. This date is seen as a very specific point in time. Patients and their families plan on that date and become distressed when the expected date is not met. Given that many patients are induced electively, that many will have their delivery dates changed, and that many will have delivery dates adjusted for medical reasons, and most importantly given that dating is inaccurate and unreliable, we propose eliminating the due date. We propose giving patients a calculated assigned week of delivery at 32 weeks. An assigned week of delivery allows for individualization of obstetric care based on the needs of our patients, their support systems, and hospital staffing. We believe an assigned week of delivery will improve obstetric practice and patient satisfaction.