Calculate your due date, track pregnancy weeks, and discover baby development milestones. Get accurate pregnancy timeline based on your last menstrual period.
Enter your last menstrual period date to calculate your due date
Eat a balanced diet rich in folic acid, iron, and calcium. Take prenatal vitamins as recommended.
Stay active with pregnancy-safe exercises like walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga.
Planning maternity leave and prenatal care in Ontario
Managing gestational diabetes with BC Women's Hospital
Balancing toddler care with pregnancy in Alberta
Planning a natural birth with Quebec midwifery services
| Trimester | Weeks | Baby Development | Mom's Symptoms | Canadian Healthcare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
First Trimester | Weeks 1-13 |
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Second Trimester | Weeks 14-27 |
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Third Trimester | Weeks 28-40+ |
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| Benefit Type | Duration | Payment Rate | Eligibility | Who Can Claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Maternity Benefits For birth mother only | 15 weeks Can start up to 12 weeks before due date | 55% of earnings Max $668/week (2025) Max insurable: $63,200/year |
| Birth mother only (biological or surrogate) |
Standard Parental Can be shared between parents | 35 weeks Up to 40 weeks for single parents | 55% of earnings Max $668/week (2025) |
| Birth parents, adoptive parents, or parents through surrogacy |
Extended Parental Lower rate, longer duration | 61 weeks Up to 69 weeks for single parents | 33% of earnings Max $401/week (2025) Same total payout as standard |
| Birth parents, adoptive parents, or parents through surrogacy |
Quebec (QPIP) Separate Quebec program | 18 weeks maternity + 32 weeks parental (standard) or 25 weeks parental (special) | 70% for 18 weeks Then 55% for remainder Max $92,000 insurable |
| Quebec residents only (separate from EI) |
| Province | Prenatal Care Covered | Delivery Covered | Midwifery | Additional Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario (OHIP) |
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| ✓ Fully covered Home, hospital, or birth centre |
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| BC (MSP) |
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| ✓ Fully covered BC Women's Hospital program |
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| Alberta (AHCIP) |
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| ✓ Fully covered Limited availability in rural areas |
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| Quebec (RAMQ) |
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| ✓ Fully covered Maisons de naissance (birth centres) |
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| Other Provinces | All provinces cover standard prenatal care including:
| Hospital delivery fully covered in all provinces | Coverage varies:
| Check provincial health websites for specific benefits |
Pregnancy calculators are accurate within 3-5 days when based on your last menstrual period (LMP), but only about 5% of babies arrive on their exact due date. Here's what affects accuracy:
Canadian healthcare standard: Your doctor will confirm your due date with a dating ultrasound at 8-12 weeks (covered by provincial health). If there's more than a 5-day difference between LMP and ultrasound dates, the ultrasound date becomes your official due date. Most babies (80%) are born within 2 weeks of their due date (38-42 weeks is considered full-term).
Don't worry - this is common! If you can't remember your LMP, your Canadian healthcare provider has several accurate methods to determine your due date:
What to do: Book your first prenatal appointment as soon as you know you're pregnant. Your doctor will order a dating ultrasound (usually at 8-12 weeks) which is the most accurate way to determine your due date. In Canada, this ultrasound is covered by provincial health insurance and is standard practice for all pregnancies.
You should apply for EI maternity benefits 4 weeks before you want payments to start, but no earlier than 12 weeks before your due date. Here's the complete timeline:
Pro tip: Notify your employer 4 weeks before your intended leave date (required by most provinces). Apply for EI online at canada.ca/ei - it's faster than paper applications. Set up direct deposit to receive payments within 2-3 business days of approval.
All essential prenatal tests are fully covered by provincial health insurance in Canada. Here's what you'll receive at no cost:
Provincial variations: Ontario covers NIPT for all pregnancies as of 2024. Quebec covers more genetic testing through RAMQ. BC covers NIPT for high-risk pregnancies. Check your provincial health website for specific coverage details.
The good news: Prenatal care and delivery are FREE in Canada with provincial health insurance. However, there are still costs for items not covered by healthcare. Here's a realistic breakdown:
Bottom line: Expect to spend $3,000-8,000 in the first year (pregnancy + baby essentials), but this can be reduced to $1,500-3,000 with smart shopping and government benefits. The biggest ongoing cost is daycare ($800-2,000/month) if both parents work, but EI parental benefits help cover 12-18 months at home.
In Canada, you have three options for pregnancy care, all covered by provincial health insurance. Here's how they compare:
| Care Provider | Best For | Appointment Length | Delivery Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Family Doctor | Low-risk pregnancies, continuity of care (same doctor before/during/after pregnancy) | 15-20 minutes | Hospital (doctor attends delivery or hospital OB covers) | $0 (covered) |
OB-GYN (Obstetrician-Gynecologist) | High-risk pregnancies (age 35+, multiples, medical conditions, previous complications) | 15-20 minutes | Hospital (OB attends delivery, can perform C-sections) | $0 (covered) |
Registered Midwife | Low-risk pregnancies, natural birth preference, personalized care, home birth option | 45-60 minutes (much longer visits) | Home, hospital, or birth centre (your choice) | $0 (covered in most provinces) |
Note: You can switch providers during pregnancy if needed. Midwives will transfer care to an OB if complications arise. All three options are fully covered by provincial health insurance in Canada.
Most first-time moms feel baby movement (called "quickening") between 18-25 weeks, while moms who've been pregnant before often feel it earlier at 16-18 weeks. Here's what to expect:
Important: In Canada, call your healthcare provider or go to L&D (Labor & Delivery) immediately if you're concerned about decreased movement. Don't wait until your next appointment. It's always better to get checked - healthcare providers would rather see you 10 times for false alarms than miss a real problem.
Kick counting after 28 weeks: Your doctor may recommend daily kick counts. Pick a time when baby is usually active (often after meals or at night), lie on your left side, and count movements. You should feel at least 10 movements within 2 hours. Some moms feel 10 in 10 minutes! Every baby has their own pattern - get to know your baby's normal routine.
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