Predicting the Due Date (Nägele’s Rule)

Predicting the Due Date (Nägele’s Rule)

■ Add 7 days to the first day of the LNMP. ■ Subtract 3 months. ■ Add 1 year. ■ See example to right →

1st day of LNMP 10/14/01 ■ Add 7 days 10/21/01 ■ Subtract 3 months 7/21/01 ■ Add 1 yr (EDD) 7/21/02

Comparison of True and False Labor

True Labor	False Labor
Contractions Consistent                         pattern	Contractions  Inconsistent                          pattern
■ Frequency Progressively increasing ■ Duration Progressively increasing ■ Intensity Progressively increasing; increases with walking	■ Frequency Inconsistent ■ Duration Inconsistent ■ Intensity Inconsistent; subsides or does not increase with walking
Cervix   Progressive                effacement                and dilation	Cervix  No significant               change
Discomfort Mostly                             low                       back and                      abdominal	Discomfort  Mostly                        abdominal                        abdominal                        and groin