1. What is Gestational Age?

Gestational age is a measure of the age of a pregnancy from the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP). It is typically expressed in weeks and is used to track fetal development and schedule prenatal care.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• Current Date — The date of measurement
• LMP — First day of last menstrual period
• 7 — Days per week conversion factor

Explanation: The calculation determines the time elapsed since the first day of the last menstrual period and converts days to weeks.

3. Importance of Gestational Age Calculation

Details: Accurate gestational age determination is crucial for monitoring fetal development, scheduling prenatal tests, determining due dates, and assessing preterm or post-term status.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the first day of the last menstrual period and the current date. Both dates must be valid (current date must be after LMP).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is this method?
A: This method is accurate for women with regular 28-day cycles. Ultrasound dating may be needed for women with irregular cycles.

Q2: What if I don't know my LMP?
A: An early ultrasound (first trimester) can provide the most accurate gestational age estimation.

Q3: What's considered full term?
A: 39-40 weeks is considered full term. Birth before 37 weeks is preterm, after 42 weeks is post-term.

Q4: Does this work for IVF pregnancies?
A: For IVF pregnancies, gestational age is calculated from the date of egg retrieval or embryo transfer.

Q5: Why is gestational age important?
A: It helps determine appropriate timing for prenatal tests, assess fetal growth, and manage high-risk pregnancies.