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:

• EDD — Estimated Due Date (calculated as 280 days from LMP)
• Current Date — Today's date or any date you want to check
• 7 — Number of days in a week
• 40 — Standard length of pregnancy in weeks

Explanation: The calculation works backward from the due date to determine how many weeks pregnant someone is on any given date.

3. Importance of Gestational Age Calculation

Details: Knowing gestational age is crucial for proper prenatal care, timing of tests, monitoring fetal growth, and determining if the baby is developing normally.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the estimated due date (typically provided by your healthcare provider) and the current date (defaults to today). The calculator will determine how many weeks pregnant this corresponds to.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is this calculation?
A: This calculation assumes a standard 280-day pregnancy. Actual gestation can vary by ±2 weeks.

Q2: What if I don't know my exact due date?
A: An ultrasound in early pregnancy can provide a more accurate due date than LMP-based calculations.

Q3: Why does pregnancy dating start before conception?
A: Pregnancy is traditionally dated from the LMP because this is typically more reliably known than conception date.

Q4: What if my cycle isn't 28 days?
A: The calculation may need adjustment if your menstrual cycle is significantly longer or shorter than 28 days.

Q5: Can this be used after the due date?
A: The calculation works best before the due date. After the due date, gestational age would technically be >40 weeks.