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 and days from the first day of the woman's last menstrual period (LMP).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• 280 days — Standard length of pregnancy (40 weeks)
• Current Date — Date of measurement
• Due Date — Estimated date of delivery

Explanation: The calculation works backward from the due date (which is 280 days from LMP) to determine how many days have passed since conception.

3. Importance of Gestational Age Calculation

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

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the current date and the estimated due date. The calculator will determine how many weeks and days pregnant you are.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why 280 days?
A: 280 days (40 weeks) is the standard length of pregnancy calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP).

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: This provides an estimate based on standard pregnancy length. Ultrasound measurements in early pregnancy provide more accurate dating.

Q3: What if I know my conception date?
A: If you know conception date, gestational age is simply the time elapsed since conception plus 2 weeks.

Q4: Why does gestational age start before conception?
A: By convention, pregnancy dating begins from the first day of the last menstrual period, which is typically about 2 weeks before conception.

Q5: What's considered full term?
A: 39-40 weeks is considered full term, with normal deliveries occurring between 37-42 weeks.