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) or from the estimated due date (EDD). It is typically expressed in weeks and days.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• \( EDD \) — Estimated Due Date
• \( Current\ Date \) — Today's date or any date you want to check

Explanation: The calculator subtracts the current date from the estimated due date to determine the number of days remaining (or passed) and converts this to weeks by dividing by 7.

3. Importance of Gestational Age Calculation

Details: Knowing the gestational age is crucial for monitoring fetal development, scheduling prenatal tests, and determining the appropriate timing for delivery.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the estimated due date (EDD) and the current date (defaults to today). The calculator will show the gestational age in weeks.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is this calculation?
A: This calculation provides an estimate based on the due date. For more precise dating, ultrasound measurements in early pregnancy are recommended.

Q2: What if my current date is after the EDD?
A: The calculator will show a negative value, indicating how many weeks past the due date you are.

Q3: How is the estimated due date determined?
A: Typically, EDD is calculated as 280 days (40 weeks) from the first day of the last menstrual period.

Q4: Can I use this for IVF pregnancies?
A: For IVF pregnancies, gestational age is typically calculated from the date of embryo transfer plus 14 days.

Q5: Why is gestational age important?
A: It helps healthcare providers monitor fetal growth, schedule tests, and make decisions about pregnancy management.