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:

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

Explanation: The calculation determines how many weeks and days have passed since the first day of the last menstrual period.

3. Importance of Gestational Age Calculation

Details: Knowing the gestational age is crucial for monitoring fetal development, scheduling prenatal tests, determining due date, and making important clinical decisions during pregnancy.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the first day of your last menstrual period and the current date (or any date you want to check). The calculator will show the gestational age in weeks and days.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is this the same as fetal age?
A: No, gestational age is about 2 weeks more than fetal age, as it counts from the LMP, while fetal age counts from conception.

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

Q3: Does this work for IVF pregnancies?
A: For IVF, gestational age is typically calculated from embryo transfer date plus 2 weeks.

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

Q5: Why is gestational age important for prenatal care?
A: It helps determine appropriate timing for tests, screenings, and monitors if baby is growing properly.