If you have conceived through in vitro fertilisation, also known as IVF, you may be wondering when your baby will arrive. While pregnancies conceived naturally estimate due dates based on the last menstrual period, IVF due dates are calculated from the exact date of embryo transfer. Because of this, IVF pregnancies may provide a more accurate due date estimation.
Our IVF due date calculator is designed to estimate your baby’s due date based on your embryo transfer date, assisting you to plan ahead and track key milestones. For personalised advice, contact our team at Create Fertility today.
Try our due date calculatorWhat Is an IVF Pregnancy Due Date?
An IVF pregnancy due date is the estimated date of delivery for a baby conceived through IVF. It is calculated based on the date an embryo was transferred into the uterus, rather than the date of the last menstrual period.
Most IVF pregnancies use either fresh embryos (transferred three or five days after fertilisation) or frozen embryos (from a previous cycle). The method of IVF does not change the length of the pregnancy, but it does affect how the due date is calculated.
Why are Due Dates Important?
Regardless of which method of IVF you and your doctor used, knowing your due date is key, as it is in any pregnancy. Your due date is useful for tracking fetal development, scheduling appointments, and preparing for your baby’s arrival. While due dates are only estimates and are not guaranteed, they provide a useful guideline for your medical team to monitor your, and your baby’s, progression.
How are IVF Due Dates Calculated?
Since IVF pregnancies do not rely on the natural ovulation cycle, due dates are calculated differently. In addition to the embryo transfer date, due dates are calculated according to the embryo’s developmental stage at transfer.
1. Three-Day Embryo Transfer
To calculate the due date for a three-day embryo transfer, add 263 days (or subtract three days from a standard 266-day pregnancy) to the embryo transfer date.
2. Five-Day Embryo Transfer
To calculate the due date for a five-day embryo transfer, add 261 days (or subtract five days from a standard 266-day pregnancy) to the embryo transfer date.
For example, if your three-day embryo transfer occurred on January 1, your estimated due date would be September 21. If you had a five-day embryo transfer done on January 1, your due date would be September 19.
3. Frozen Embryo Transfer
For frozen embryo transfers, the due date is calculated the same way as fresh embryo transfers— by adding 263 days for a three-day embryo transfer or 261 days for a five-day embryo transfer.
How Accurate are IVF Due Dates?
IVF due dates are generally more precise than those based on natural conception because fertilisation and implantation are carefully controlled. However, no due date is 100% certain, and babies are often born before or after their due date.
While IVF due dates may offer a slightly more predictable timeline, it is important to remember that every pregnancy is unique, and your baby may arrive sooner or later than expected. In Australia, most babies are born between 37 and 41 weeks of pregnancy, which is considered ‘at term’.
Calculate Your IVF Due Date With Our IVF Due Date Calculator
One way to estimate your baby’s due date is with an IVF due date calculator. Using factors such as the date of your embryo transfer and whether it was a three-day or five-day embryo transfer, IVF due date calculators are able to instantly estimate your due date.
As with any due date estimate, no IVF due date calculator can 100% guarantee the date a baby will be born. However, you may find an IVF due date calculator helpful for tracking milestones and planning your pregnancy and your baby’s arrival.
You should always continue to attend regular appointments to monitor your baby’s fetal development. Your doctor may adjust your due date throughout your pregnancy due to findings in medical assessments and ultrasound scans.
Try our IVF due date calculator here:
Contact Us at Create Fertility
Wherever you are on your IVF journey, our experienced and caring team of fertility specialists is here for you. From considering your fertility assistance options through to birth and beyond, we are proud to be a part of your family planning. To find out more, contact our friendly team today.
