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 Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• Current Date — Today's date or any date you want to check
• LMP — First day of the last menstrual period

Explanation: The calculation counts the number of days between the LMP and current date, then converts to weeks by dividing by 7.

3. Importance of Gestational Age Calculation

Details: Knowing the gestational age helps determine if the baby is growing as expected, schedule appropriate prenatal tests, and estimate the due date (typically 40 weeks from LMP).

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if I don't know my LMP?
A: If you don't know your LMP, an ultrasound can estimate gestational age based on fetal measurements.

Q2: Is this calculation accurate for IVF pregnancies?
A: For IVF pregnancies, gestational age is typically calculated from embryo transfer date plus 2 weeks.

Q3: Why does pregnancy count from LMP and not conception?
A: LMP is used because it's a definite date that most women can recall, while conception date is often uncertain.

Q4: What's considered full term?
A: A pregnancy is considered full term between 39 weeks 0 days and 40 weeks 6 days.

Q5: How accurate is this method?
A: This method assumes a regular 28-day cycle with ovulation on day 14. Variations in cycle length may affect accuracy.