What method is used to calculate the expected delivery date of a pregnancy?

The chosen answer is correct because Naegele's Rule is a widely accepted method for estimating the expected delivery date (EDD) of a pregnancy. This rule is based on the assumption of a regular 28-day menstrual cycle. To calculate the due date, health professionals typically start with the first day of the woman's last menstrual period (LMP), add one year, subtract three months, and then add seven days. This provides an estimated delivery date that helps in monitoring the pregnancy and planning for prenatal care.

Using Naegele's Rule provides a standardized reference point that is straightforward and can easily be applied across many cases. It is particularly useful in clinical settings since it assists healthcare providers in estimating the timeline for prenatal checks and possible interventions throughout the pregnancy.

Other options relate to different concepts. For instance, Braxton Hicks contractions refer to practice contractions that occur in pregnancy but do not calculate delivery dates. Gestational age calculation may pertain to assessing how far along the pregnancy is rather than to deducing the expected delivery date. Fetal age estimation focuses on determining the developmental stage of the fetus, which is important but distinct from predicting the delivery date.