·         Allows accurate planning for an estimated date of delivery.

·         Permits appropriate steps to be taken should labour start before 38 weeks or fail to start by 42 weeks, to ensure optimum fetal outcome.

·         Is vital for the correct interpretation of screening blood tests such as AFP, I3hCG level in screening protocols.

·         Is essential for the timing of later scans to detect fetal anomalies and is required for the interpretation o most ultrasound fetal parameters, i.e. femoral length. head circumference, etc.

·         Is also required for the assessment of fetal growth because the rate of growth depends upon fetal age and the normal range for many of the commonly used fetal
parameters increases with age.



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