Modified Naegele ’ s Rule for Determination of the Expected Date of Delivery Irrespective of the Cycle Length

The present study included a total number of 750 pregnant females, 300 cases were studied retrospectively and 450 cases were studied prospectively. Different clinical parameters were assessed in relation to the determination of the duration of pregnancy. The length of the menstrual cycle had been the most significant parameter in relation to the duration of pregnancy. In using Naegele’s rule we suggest that the menstrual history should be taken in proper consideration though we advise a correction value to the classic Naegele’s rule to overcome the error found in the actual day of deliveries. Introduction 7 days to the first day of the last menstrual RELIABLE knowledge of the duration of pregnancy prior to birth is often of crucial importance in making obstetric care decision. Traditionally the duration of pregnancy was estimated clinically from the date of the last menstrual period, time of quickening, the first audible fetal heart beats and fundal height [l]. Nowadays the use of ultrasonograbhy in determination of gestational age is progressively increasing. Meanwhile, the physician must .always be period, substract 3 months and add one year (EDC-LMP + 7 days 3 months + 1 year), this rule is based upon an ideal 28 days cycle, with ovulation occurring on the day 14 of the cycle: however not all women have 28 day cycles, for this reason their EDC cannot be accurately estimated by Naegele’s rule [3]. For this reason, we agree with Dommise [4], that the time has come to replace or to modify the traditional Naegele’s rule. on guard to avoid expensive procedures. The aim of the study was to assess and evaluate prospectively and retrospectively the accuracy and the importance of Naegele’s rule and other clinical methods used Benison 121 stated that it became traditional to calculate the expected date of confinement (EDC) from Naegele’s rule: Add