Editorial Policy

1. Our Editorial Standards

Every piece of content on My Baby Math is held to three core standards:

Accuracy

Accuracy is non-negotiable. Expecting parents rely on the information we provide to understand their pregnancies, prepare for prenatal appointments, and track milestones. An inaccurate due date estimate or a misrepresented clinical guideline could lead to confusion, unnecessary worry, or — in the worst case — a delay in seeking medical care.

We achieve accuracy by: sourcing all formulas from primary medical literature; having calculator logic reviewed by a qualified OB-GYN before publication; and maintaining a corrections process that addresses errors within 48 hours of identification.

Clarity

Medical information is often written for clinicians. We translate it for expecting parents without "dumbing it down." We explain technical terms when we must use them. We write in plain English. We surface the most important information prominently and use clear visual hierarchy so users can find what they need quickly.

Empathy

Pregnant users are navigating a life-changing experience that can include anxiety, physical discomfort, and significant uncertainty. Our content is written with compassion. We acknowledge that questions about due dates and pregnancy milestones carry emotional weight, and we treat users accordingly — with accuracy and warmth, never alarmism or condescension.

2. How Content Is Created

Calculator Logic

Every calculator on this site is built on a specific, documented clinical formula. Our development process:

1. Formula identification: We identify the standard clinical formula for the calculation, sourcing it directly from peer-reviewed medical literature or ACOG Practice Bulletins. We do not rely on secondary sources or other health websites.
2. Implementation: A developer implements the formula in JavaScript, with the code structured to be auditable. Edge cases (e.g., irregular cycle lengths, IVF transfer types) are addressed explicitly.
3. Testing: The implementation is tested against known reference values and manually verified against clinical examples from the source literature.
4. Medical review: The formula, its implementation, and its presented outputs are reviewed by a qualified OB-GYN before publication.
5. Citation: The formula's source is cited on the tool page so users can verify it independently.

Explanatory Content

The written content surrounding each tool — explanations of what the calculator does, how to interpret results, related clinical context — is created by experienced health writers. Our process:

1. Primary source research: Health writers research directly from primary sources: peer-reviewed journal articles, ACOG Practice Bulletins, WHO guidelines, and CDC data. We do not paraphrase other health websites.
2. Drafting: Content is drafted with accuracy, clarity, and empathy as the guiding principles.
3. Internal review: A second team member with health writing experience reviews the draft for accuracy, completeness, and clarity before it advances to medical review.
4. Medical review: The draft is reviewed by our medical reviewer against primary clinical sources.

3. Sources We Use

We maintain a strict hierarchy of sources. Higher-level sources take precedence:

Tier 1: Clinical Guidelines

• ACOG Practice Bulletins — American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists clinical guidelines are the primary authority for U.S. obstetric practice. We source our dating methods, gestational age definitions, and clinical recommendations directly from ACOG publications.
• WHO Guidelines — World Health Organization guidelines for reproductive health and antenatal care, particularly relevant for international standards and gestational age dating.
• CDC Clinical References — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data on birth outcomes, gestational age, and pregnancy statistics.

Tier 2: Peer-Reviewed Medical Literature

• New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM)
• American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AJOG)
• Fertility and Sterility — particularly relevant for our IVF-related calculators
• Obstetrics & Gynecology — the official journal of ACOG
• Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology — particularly relevant for dating methodology
• BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Tier 3: Reputable Reference Sources

• UpToDate (when referenced for clinical context, not as a primary source)
• MedlinePlus (NIH) for patient-facing definitions

We do not cite or rely on commercial health websites, patient forums, or social media as sources for clinical information.

4. Medical Review Process

All calculator logic and tool content on My Baby Math is reviewed by a qualified medical reviewer before publication. Our review process is structured as follows:

What Is Reviewed

• The clinical formula used in each calculator, verified against its cited source
• The accuracy of explanatory content, including descriptions of clinical concepts
• The appropriateness of safety messaging, including when users are directed to consult their provider
• The accuracy of any stated normal ranges, clinical thresholds, or medical definitions
• The clarity and appropriateness of disclaimers and limitations

Reviewer Independence

Medical reviewers evaluate content based solely on clinical accuracy. They are not involved in advertising or commercial decisions. Their role is to ensure the content meets the standard of accuracy expected in patient-facing health information. Reviewer feedback is binding for clinical accuracy issues — our editorial team cannot override a medical reviewer's correction of a clinical error.

Reviewer Credentials

Our medical content is reviewed by a board-certified physician with specialty training in obstetrics and gynecology. Full reviewer credentials, including name, board certifications, and clinical affiliations, will be published upon formal engagement.

5. Update Frequency

Medical guidelines evolve, and our content must evolve with them. Our update schedule:

• Annual review: All tool pages and their associated content are reviewed at minimum once per calendar year, regardless of whether guidelines have changed.
• Guideline-triggered updates: When ACOG, WHO, CDC, or another authoritative source updates a guideline relevant to our tools, we review and update the affected content within 30 days of the guideline change.
• Error-triggered updates: When an error is identified — by our team, medical reviewers, or a reader — we correct it within 48 hours. See our Corrections Policy below.

Each tool page displays its last-reviewed date, so users can see how current the content is.

6. Corrections Policy

We believe transparency about errors builds trust. When we make a mistake, we fix it promptly and disclose it clearly.

Error Identification

Errors may be identified by:

• Our internal team during regular content review
• Our medical reviewers during annual reviews or triggered by guideline changes
• Readers who contact us through our Contact page

Correction Timeline

• Calculation errors: Corrected within 24 hours of confirmation. These are treated as the highest priority because they directly affect the outputs users see.
• Factual content errors: Corrected within 48 hours of confirmation.
• Minor errors (typos, formatting): Corrected at the next scheduled update or sooner.

Correction Disclosure

Material corrections are noted on the affected page with the date of correction. We do not silently edit pages to remove errors without disclosure. For significant errors that may have affected user understanding, we note both what was wrong and what the correct information is.

Reporting an Error

If you believe you have found an error on our site, please contact us with the tool name, the specific issue, and any supporting sources if available. We take accuracy reports seriously and will review all reports promptly.

7. Editorial Independence

Our editorial content is completely independent from our advertising and commercial operations. Specifically:

• No paid content influence: Advertisers have no influence over the calculators we build, the medical formulas we use, the content we write, or the recommendations we make to users. We do not accept sponsored content disguised as editorial content.
• No affiliate relationships affecting recommendations: We do not have financial relationships with hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical companies, supplement brands, or any other healthcare commercial entity that influences our content.
• Advertising is clearly separated: Any advertising displayed on this site (via Google AdSense) is clearly distinguishable from editorial content.
• Medical reviewers are independent: Medical reviewers are not involved in commercial or advertising decisions. Their feedback is based solely on clinical accuracy.

8. Reviewer Credentials

We are committed to having all medical content on this site reviewed by a qualified physician with relevant specialty expertise. Our medical reviewer for obstetrics and gynecology content is a board-certified OB-GYN.

Reviewer credentials are verified before engagement. We require board certification in the relevant specialty for all medical reviewers. Reviewer conflicts of interest are evaluated and disclosed.

Questions About Our Editorial Process

We are committed to transparency. If you have questions about how we create or review content, want to report an error, or would like to discuss our editorial process, please contact us.

We also invite you to read our About page for background on our mission and team, and our Medical Disclaimer for important information about the limitations of our tools.