If you've just found out you're pregnant, one of the first questions you'll have is: How far along am I? Beyond knowing that all-important due date, knowing how many weeks pregnant you are will help you better track those pregnancy milestones along the way.
How Can I Calculate How Far Along I Am and My Due Date?
If you know the date of the first day of your last menstrual period, or the date of conception.
Keep in mind that your healthcare provider will be able to give you a more accurate answer at your first prenatal care appointment.
There are several different ways to figure out your due date and gauge how far along you are.
- Last menstrual period (LMP): Pregnancy normally lasts about 40 weeks from the first day of your last period. Accordingly, the number of weeks that have passed since indicate what week of pregnancy you're in. To work out your likely due date, count 280 days (40 weeks) from the first day of your last period.
- Date of conception: You probably conceived around the time of ovulation, which is around day 14 of the average menstrual cycle of 28 days. If you happen to know the exact date, count 266 days (38 weeks) to get an estimate of your due date. Alternatively, head to the Pampers due date calculator, where all the counting will be done for you.
- Ultrasound: At some point during your pregnancy, you will likely have an ultrasound scan. This enables your healthcare provider to check on fetal growth and monitor other development milestones; it also provides the most accurate estimate for how many weeks pregnant you are and what your due date will be. This method is the most reliable, and particularly useful if you don't know the date of your last period or if your menstrual cycles are irregular.
When figuring out how far along you are, it can be confusing that the weeks of pregnancy are not the same as the gestational age of the baby. Remember, conception most likely occurred about 14 days into your last cycle, whereas pregnancy is calculated from the beginning of that cycle, so there's a two-week difference. For example, when you're six weeks pregnant, your baby's gestational age is only four weeks.
Can My Due Date Change?
During your prenatal checkups, your healthcare provider will monitor how far along you are. Don't be surprised, though, if your provider gives you a slightly different due date than the one you calculated.
Also, most babies don't arrive exactly on their due date. Every pregnancy is unique, and only a small percentage of babies are born right on time. Babies are typically born between weeks 38 and 42, and it's totally normal for your baby to arrive any time during this window.
If your baby is born pre-term, your doctor will be able to advise you on any extra care your baby might need. On the other hand, if your baby isn't born by the end of week 42, your doctor may suggest inducing the labor to bring on a vaginal birth, or he may discuss the option of a cesarean section with you.
What’s in Store for Me Until My Due Date?
Now that you know how far along you are, it might be helpful to know that pregnancies are often referred to in weeks and trimesters. Take a look at this pregnancy timeline for a breakdown of the weeks, months, and trimesters of pregnancy:
First trimester (weeks 0-13): You might notice some early signs of pregnancy, such as morning sickness and food cravings. Your provider will be able to confirm your pregnancy and set up your prenatal visits to make sure you and your baby stay healthy and safe.
Second trimester (weeks 14-27): This trimester is often referred to as the honeymoon phase of pregnancy. You may feel as if you have some extra energy to get things done, like baby-proofing your home, going to prenatal classes, and doing some gentle pregnancy exercise.
If you aren't already, this may also be a good time to start doing Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. You can do these simple muscle clenches anywhere, and they're beneficial not only during pregnancy and labor, but afterwards as well.
Third trimester (weeks 28-42): You're nearly there! As you get closer to the birth of your baby, you'll want to get prepared by making sure you have all the right baby gear. But remember to take the opportunity to slow down and rest whenever you can.
Now that you've learned how to know how far along you are and what important milestones await you during your pregnancy, remember that your baby will be here soon, and a new, exciting chapter is about to begin.
