estimated date of confinement
Also written as: EDC
Traditional obstetric term for the calculated due date, now largely replaced by 'estimated date of delivery.'
Full Definition
Estimated date of confinement (EDC) is an older obstetric term referring to the calculated date when delivery is expected, based on the first day of the last menstrual period or ultrasound dating. The term 'confinement' reflects historical practices when women were confined to bed during childbirth. While still encountered in some medical records and international practices, modern obstetrics typically uses 'estimated date of delivery' (EDD) or 'expected date of confinement' as more patient-centered terminology.
Usage
Usage note: Considered somewhat outdated; EDD (estimated date of delivery) is preferred in modern practice.
In Context
- "The patient's EDC was calculated as March 15th based on her LMP of June 8th." — Prenatal intake documentation
- "Ultrasound dating confirmed the estimated date of confinement within three days of LMP calculation." — First trimester ultrasound report