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 pregnancy progress and fetal development.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard gestational age formula:

Where:

• Current Date — Today's date or any date you want to calculate for
• LMP — First day of the last menstrual period
• 7 — Number of days in a week

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: Accurate gestational age determination is crucial for prenatal care, scheduling tests, monitoring fetal growth, and determining due dates.

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: Why is gestational age calculated from LMP rather than conception?
A: LMP is used because it's a clearly identifiable date, while conception date is often uncertain. Ovulation typically occurs about 2 weeks after LMP.

Q2: What if I don't know my LMP exactly?
A: An ultrasound in early pregnancy can provide an estimated gestational age if LMP is unknown or cycles are irregular.

Q3: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's accurate for women with regular 28-day cycles. Variations may occur with irregular cycles or late ovulation.

Q4: What's the difference between gestational age and fetal age?
A: Fetal age (conceptual age) is about 2 weeks less than gestational age, as it counts from conception rather than LMP.

Q5: When should I see a doctor for pregnancy confirmation?
A: Schedule your first prenatal visit when you have a positive pregnancy test, typically around 8 weeks gestational age.