1. What is Gestational Age?

Gestational age is the common term used during pregnancy to describe how far along the pregnancy is. It is measured in weeks from the first day of the woman's last menstrual period (LMP) to the current date.

2. How to Calculate Gestational Age

The standard calculation for gestational age:

Where:

• Current Date — Today's date or date of assessment
• LMP — First day of last menstrual period
• 7 — Number of days in a week

Explanation: This calculation provides the pregnancy duration in weeks, which is the standard measurement used in obstetrics.

3. Importance of Gestational Age

Details: Accurate gestational age determination is crucial for proper prenatal care, timing of tests, monitoring fetal growth, and determining the due date.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the first day of your last menstrual period and the current date (defaults to today). The calculator will compute the gestational age in weeks.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if I don't know my LMP?
A: If LMP is unknown, an ultrasound measurement in early pregnancy can estimate gestational age.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's accurate for women with regular 28-day cycles. Variations may occur with irregular cycles.

Q3: What's the difference between gestational age and fetal age?
A: Gestational age is about 2 weeks more than fetal age, as it counts from LMP rather than conception.

Q4: When does gestational age start?
A: It starts on the first day of your last menstrual period, before conception occurs.

Q5: How is this used in clinical practice?
A: Healthcare providers use it to track pregnancy milestones, schedule tests, and monitor fetal development.