Acog pregnancy dating

Accurate dating of pregnancy is important to improve outcomes and is a research and public health imperative. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has issued a number of guidelines on pregnancy dating to standardize the practice.

The main purpose of pregnancy dating is to establish an estimated delivery date, which is based on the assumed gestational age of the embryo or fetus. ACOG recommends that obstetric providers should use the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP) to determine gestational age and due date. Ultrasound is also used to check the gestational age, but it is not recommended as the primary method of determining gestational age.

In addition, ACOG states that post-term pregnancies should be managed differently than preterm pregnancies, and they recommend induction at 42 weeks gestation. ACOG also suggests that providers should discuss the risks and benefits of induction with the patient.

ACOG also recommends that providers should perform a detailed assessment of fetal growth and well-being at each prenatal visit. This includes using ultrasound to assess fetal biometry and growth, as well as assessing the amount of amniotic fluid. This helps to identify any potential problems that may arise due to an inaccurate due date.

Overall, ACOG's guidelines are designed to ensure the best possible outcomes for both mother and fetus, and accurate dating of pregnancy is an important part of this. It is important for obstetric providers to become familiar with these guidelines and follow them in order to ensure the best possible outcome for their patients.