The New Math of “Due Date” Calculation
Today, I decided I’d try to figure out L’s expected due date.
As I do with most attempts to understand the universe, I consulted Google.
Unfortunately, most “due date” calculators are based on the date of expectant mother’s last menstrual cycle. I had no earthly idea when that was given that 1) I don’t normally track such things, and 2) I found it even less useful in the midst of an IVF cycle.
Not to be deterred, I next searched for due date calculators for IVF cycles.
Bingo! I typed in “May 19, 2009” (retrieval / conception date).
Up popped the answer: “Congratulations, you’re 7 weeks, and 1 days pregnant. Your due date is February 8, 2010.”
What the fuck?
Ok, I’ll admit that despite having a Ph.D. in Information Systems, I’m not the best programmer in the world. I’m passable… but that’s not my strength (I’m more of a strategy / ideation guy). That said, I know darn well how to write a JavaScript applet to calculate the difference between two dates.
Man, this application must be totally fucked! It thinks L is 7 weeks pregnant, when clearly she’s only 5 weeks pregnant (May 19 to June 24… you do the math).
Time to try another calculator. Same result: “Congratulations, you’re 7 weeks, and 1 days pregnant. Your due date is February 8, 2010.”
Another one? You must be kidding.
Is everyone stupid? No. It turns out that only I’m stupid.
You see, due dates are calculated from the date of last menstruation. So by the date of conception, everyone is approximately two weeks pregnant.
It’s like New Math. Or Voodoo Economics.
Makes perfect sense right? Ummm… no. Not to me. But, I’ll roll with it.
Good grief, we really do need to buy a book! I’m an ignorant git!
One response so far
Infertility does seem to require learning a while new kind of math. Even after all these months, I still get hung up on the numbers game sometimes.