First Baby Planning Guide

Finding out you're pregnant is one of life's most profound moments. Once the excitement settles, a stream of practical questions follows: When is my due date? How much should I eat? Is my pre-pregnancy weight healthy? This guide walks you through the key calculations every expecting parent needs.

Step 1: Know Your Due Date

The first thing your doctor will ask is the date of your last menstrual period (LMP). From there, Due Date calculates your estimated due date using Naegele's Rule — the standard 280-day (40-week) method used worldwide.

Your due date anchors everything: prenatal appointments, leave planning, nursery setup timelines. While only about 5% of babies arrive on their exact due date, it gives you a clear window to plan around. Note your EDD and count backward to schedule your anatomy scan (around week 20) and third-trimester appointments.

Step 2: Adjust Your Calorie Intake

Pregnancy nutrition is often misunderstood. "Eating for two" doesn't mean doubling your food — it means eating smarter.

Use Calorie to find your pre-pregnancy baseline calorie needs based on your height, weight, age, and activity level. The general guidance from nutritionists is:

• First trimester: No extra calories needed (focus on quality)
• Second trimester: +340 kcal/day above baseline
• Third trimester: +450 kcal/day above baseline

Prioritize protein (75–100g/day), folate-rich foods, iron, and calcium. If your calorie calculator shows you were previously under-eating, this is a good time to correct that.

Step 3: Assess Your Pre-Pregnancy BMI

Your starting BMI influences how much weight gain is healthy during pregnancy. Use Bmi with your pre-pregnancy weight:

This isn't about appearance — it's about reducing risks of complications like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm birth.

Step 4: Track Your Baby's Growth Timeline

Age is useful in a surprising way during pregnancy: enter your baby's due date as a future birthday and it calculates how many weeks (and days) until arrival. As the baby grows, you can also use it to track your child's exact age in months and weeks during the newborn stage — helpful for milestone charts and pediatric checkups.

Your Pregnancy Preparation Timeline

The most important thing you can do right now is make one calculation at a time. Start with your due date, then build from there.