Counting the days: A birth calculator that respects the natural flow of Labor by Odd Studio

Brazil has one of the highest cesarean rates worldwide, with over 50% of births by C-section [1], many scheduled before labor begins.

Research by the University of São Paulo, led by Professor Carmen Simone Diniz, examined pregnancy and maternal health in Brazil. Their data revealed a striking issue: many C-sections were scheduled early based on rigid interpretations of due dates rather than the natural progression of pregnancy.

They approached our team with a challenge: How can we make gestational data accessible to help both mothers and healthcare professionals make informed, respectful, and healthier decisions?

Rethinking pregnancy timelines:

To address this, we developed Counting the Days, a gestational calculator designed to challenge conventional norms. Traditional pregnancy tracking tools simplify gestation to a single estimated due date, reinforcing rigid expectations and overlooking natural variation. But each pregnancy is unique, and babies develop at their own pace.

Instead of treating due dates as expiration dates, our tool highlights the natural variability of birth timing, empowering mothers to trust their bodies and their babies. Unlike standard calculators that provide a fixed date, Counting the Days offers a dynamic visualization that shows the most probable window for spontaneous labor, while simultaneously educating users about all phases of gestation. By explaining why this window exists, the tool helps mothers understand the natural onset of labor and serves as an educational resource grounded in real data.

Innovative features for empowerment:

- A time range instead of a fixed date, reinforcing the natural variation in birth timing.
- User-controlled inputs, allowing customization based on ovulation dates, ultrasound measurements, or last menstrual periods.
- Interactive learning, guiding mothers through pregnancy milestones and dispelling common misconceptions.
- Mobile and desktop accessibility, ensuring broad reach and usability.

Visualizing uncertainty through data:

Data visualization played a crucial role in shifting perspectives. We explored multiple ways to represent pregnancy timelines, ultimately designing a tool that positions the estimated due date as a midpoint rather than an endpoint. This subtle but powerful shift changes the fundamental question from “When will my baby be born?” to “When is labor most likely to start?”

To ensure that Counting the Days is accessible to all, we designed the interface with high-contrast colors tested for color blindness, and we sought to include diverse representations of pregnant individuals as well as gender-neutral language.

Global reach and accessibility:

Although the project was originally developed in Portuguese for Brazilian mothers, we chose to deliver it in English as well. Pregnancy is a universal experience, and the need for respectful, evidence-based birth tools extends far beyond national borders. By making Counting the Days accessible to a global audience, we hope to contribute to a broader shift in how pregnancy is understood and managed worldwide.

Impact and vision:

With Counting the Days, we offer more than just a tool—we offer a shift in perspective. By visualizing pregnancy as a journey rather than a countdown, we help mothers embrace the natural rhythm of birth with knowledge and confidence.

This project challenges outdated conventions and fosters a deeper understanding of gestation. By bridging science, technology, and human experience, we empower women to trust their bodies, engage with real data, and reclaim ownership of their birth stories.

Footnotes:
1. Source: Brazilian Ministry of Health (Ministério da Saúde), WHO reports, and research from FSPUSP on cesarean birth rates in Brazil.

2. Reis Queiroz M, Ramos Junqueira ME, Roman Lay AA, de Aquino Bonilha E, Furtado Borba M, Castex Aly CM, et al. (2022) Neonatal mortality by gestational age in days in infants born at term: A cohort study in Sao Paulo city, Brazil. PLoS ONE 17(11): e0277833. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277833