If a client's last menstrual period began on December 1, what would be the estimated due date?

To calculate the estimated due date based on the last menstrual period (LMP), healthcare providers often use the "Naegele's Rule." This rule involves taking the first day of the last menstrual period, adding one year, subtracting three months, and then adding seven days.

Starting from December 1:

1. Add one year: December 1, 2024

2. Subtract three months: September 1, 2024

3. Add seven days: September 8, 2024

Therefore, the estimated due date calculated this way is September 8. This method is widely accepted in obstetrics because it provides a systematic approach to estimating the date of delivery based on the typical 28-day menstrual cycle.

This calculation aligns with the knowledge that pregnancies last about 40 weeks or 280 days from the first day of the LMP, emphasizing the importance of this date in determining the overall timeline of pregnancy.