To determine how far along you are in your pregnancy, the most common method is to count the number of weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). Pregnancy typically lasts about 40 weeks from this date, even though fertilization usually occurs around the third week after LMP
How to calculate how far along you are:
- Identify the first day of your last menstrual period.
- Count the number of weeks from that day to the current date.
- This count gives you your current week of pregnancy.
Pregnancy timeline overview:
Pregnancy Weeks| Pregnancy Month
---|---
1 to 4| 1st month
5 to 8| 2nd month
9 to 12| 3rd month
13 to 16| 4th month
17 to 20| 5th month
21 to 24| 6th month
25 to 28| 7th month
29 to 32| 8th month
33 to 36| 9th month
37 to 40/41| 10th month
This table helps you understand which month corresponds to your current week of pregnancy
Tools to help:
- You can use online pregnancy calculators by entering your LMP, conception date, or ultrasound date to get an estimated due date and current week of pregnancy
- Ultrasound scans, especially around 12 weeks, can provide a more accurate estimate of how far along you are
If you are unsure of your LMP or conception date, consulting your healthcare provider for an ultrasound is the best way to determine your pregnancy progress accurately
. In summary, by knowing the first day of your last period and counting weeks from that date, or by using an online pregnancy calculator or ultrasound, you can find out how far along you are in your pregnancy. Pregnancy is generally counted as 40 weeks from the LMP, divided into trimesters and months as shown above
