Pregnancy is expected to be 40 weeks (280 days) from your last menstrual period (LMP). From conception, it is 38 weeks. However, this is just an estimate; babies aren’t born during the 40th week. Most times, babies are born ten days before or after this date. It could be 270 or 290 days.

 

 Once you realise you are pregnant, one of the most asked questions you’ll have is how far gone you are. Tracking your pregnancy and fetal growth is essential in pregnancy. It gives you insights into how well your baby is developing and when to expect your due date. 

 

How many weeks pregnant am I?

If you know the date of the first day of your last menstrual period or the date of conception, you can always insert the figures in the Babymigo due date calculator. Remember that your healthcare provider can give you a more accurate answer at your first prenatal care appointment.

 

 

Another way to know the age of your pregnancy

There are different ways to determine your due date and gauge how far you’ve come. Some of them 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 indicates what week of pregnancy you’re in. Count 280 days (40 weeks) from the first day of your last period.

 

LMPs may not be accurate if you used birth control pills two months before your last period, have irregular periods, or you’re carrying twins or more.

 

Date of conception

You probably conceived around the time of ovulation, around day 14 of the average menstrual cycle of 28 days. If you know the exact date, count 266 days (38 weeks) to estimate your due date.

 

Pregnancy ultrasound scans 

You will likely have an ultrasound scan at some point during your pregnancy. This enables your healthcare provider to check fetal growth and monitor other developmental milestones.

 

It also provides the most accurate estimate of how many weeks pregnant you are and your due date. 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 baby's gestational age starts from the first day your baby starts growing. 

 

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.

 

IVF date

If you’re pregnant through IVF, you cannot determine how far you’ve gone or your due date. IVF doesn’t align with the conception date, last menstrual period or egg retrieval date. It can only be determined by the day the transfer was made and the age of the embryo upon transfer. 

 

What are the pregnancy milestones?

 

First trimester (weeks 0-13): This phase has symptoms such as morning sickness and food cravings. You won't feel pregnant at this stage.

 

Second trimester (weeks 14-27): This trimester is often called the honeymoon phase of pregnancy. You may feel like you have some extra energy to get things done, like baby-proofing your home, going to prenatal classes, and doing some gentle pregnancy exercises.

 

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 ensuring you have all the right baby gear.

 

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.

 

Join PreggClass, the largest online antenatal program that equips you for labour, delivery, and motherhood. We guide you through your pregnancy by providing you with 24/7 medical support, live classes on pregnancy, and other resources! For more information, contact us on WhatsApp.