There are a lot of important dates during the lead up to pregnancy as well as through the pregnancy term itself. A number of different charts and systems can be used to monitor the key dates during pregnancy, including online forms and charts which can be printed as a permanent record.

A popular and practical tool for monitoring key dates is a Pregnancy Due Date Calculator, often called simply a Pregnancy Wheel. The Pregnancy Wheel is made up of two circular plastic discs, which measure 114mm in diameter, or just over 4". One disc has the months of the year printed around the perimeter and the other disc is divided into the 42 week cycle with notations for the key dates during pregnancy.

The first key date shown on the Pregnancy Wheel is the first day of the last period, this represents the start of the first week of the 42 week cycle. The next date shown is the date of conception followed by the date of the first missed period. The GP will use these dates to determine the anticipated date of birth.

The Pregnancy Due Date Wheel also notates the first sixteen weeks following conception as the most likely term that a miscarriage could take place, also highlighting the key dates in each of the four week cycles. This takes the pregnancy through to the ‘earliest possible quickening’, the stage when fetal movement can be noticed, one of the most exciting stages of pregnancy when a new life can be felt.

Dates can be read off the Pregnancy Date Wheel right up to the forecast date of birth, which is usual between 36 and 40 weeks after the date of conception. This handy and compact tool is easy to use and can often be found at pharmacies and medical facilities. The Pregnancy Wheels are also used as promotional gifts by large companies who supply the health industry, the wheels are printed with their logo and information on their brands. Paper and card versions can often be found online and at pharmacy stores.

The comments and dates on Pregnancy Due Date Wheels, and in this article, should be used as a guide only, they refer to the Pregnancy Date product and are in no way intended to be used as advise. It is important to consult a GP or other health professionals for the important advice and care needed during pregnancy.