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 standard gestational age formula:

Where:

• LMP Date — First day of last menstrual period
• Current Date — Today's date or any reference date

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

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the first day of your last menstrual period and the current date (or any reference date you want to calculate gestational age for).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if I don't know my LMP?
A: If LMP is unknown, an ultrasound can estimate gestational age based on fetal measurements.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: This method assumes a regular 28-day cycle. Accuracy may vary for women with irregular cycles.

Q3: What's the difference between gestational age and fetal age?
A: Gestational age counts from LMP (about 2 weeks before conception), while fetal age counts from conception.

Q4: When should I see a doctor?
A: Contact your healthcare provider as soon as you know you're pregnant for proper prenatal care.

Q5: How is this different from calculating due date?
A: Due date is typically calculated as LMP + 280 days (40 weeks), while gestational age shows current progress.