1. What is Gestational Age?

Gestational age is a measure of the age of a pregnancy from the woman's last menstrual period (LMP). It is typically measured 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 from
• Last Menstrual Period — First day of the woman's last menstrual period

Explanation: The calculation counts the number of days between the two dates and converts them 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 the due date.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the first day of the last menstrual period and the current date (or any date you want to calculate gestational age for). The LMP date must be earlier than the current date.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if I don't know my exact LMP?
A: An ultrasound in early pregnancy can help estimate gestational age if LMP is unknown or periods are irregular.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It assumes a regular 28-day cycle with ovulation on day 14. Variations in cycle length may affect accuracy.

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

Q4: When should I see a doctor about my pregnancy?
A: Schedule your first prenatal visit when you have a positive pregnancy test, typically around 8 gestational weeks.

Q5: How is this used to determine due date?
A: The estimated due date (EDD) is calculated as LMP + 280 days (40 weeks).