When do you start counting from?

peabean · Jan 24th, 2009, 12:05 PM

Hi girls,

Just a quickie. I was wondering when you guys count your pregnancy from? Might sound obvious but I'm really confused as to whether I'm 7 weeks (if you count from last period) or 5 weeks (if you count from when baby was most likely conceived - around time of ovulation) With different information flying

around about what to expect at week 5 and week 7, I wish I knew which one counts!

Also, does anyone know if the length of cycle affects due dates? My doctor obviously calculated my due date based on a 'normal' 28 day cycle, but mine's more like 31 days, and an online calculator I used took this into account and gave me a later due date than doctor did.

I know it's all estimation and guesswork at this early stage, but anyone know which is most accurate?

Thanks!!

TTC LADY · Jan 24th, 2009, 12:21 PM

Hi.

The gestational age of the baby is calculated from the first day of your last menstrual period. Since the exact date of conception is almost never known, as ovulation can vary, the first day of the last menstrual period is generally used to measure how old the baby is.

When you have your first scan the doctor will give you a more accurate date based on the CRL of the baby.

Hope this helps

Pippin · Jan 24th, 2009, 12:38 PM

Yep as TTC lady says. Congratulations.

charliesmom · Jan 24th, 2009, 13:48 PM

You're considered universally as 7 weeks (counted by your last mentral date), but later when you do a dating scan, the doctor will be able to tell you more accurately how far along you are. And yes, you're right, it does matter how long your cycles are... didn't your doctor ask you that? They usually do.

Carolyn · Jan 24th, 2009, 15:55 PM

sorry to hijack you thread...
does anyone know how to work it out if you haven't had a period?

peabean · Jan 24th, 2009, 16:01 PM

Hi Carolyn, no worries!

I think you count from the first day of the last period you actually had...

charliesmom · Jan 24th, 2009, 17:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carolyn

sorry to hijack you thread...
does anyone know how to work it out if you haven't had a period?

You'll have to have the professionals date you by either getting your HCG tested (blood drawn) or an ultrasound to measure your bean.

Lorien · Jan 25th, 2009, 00:35 AM

My cycles tend to be a little longer than 28 days as well, and my midwife told me she will extend my due date by the extra days on my cycle. For instance, my due day on July 26 is extended by the three days extra between 28 days and 31 days, so I'll be July 29th.

poppy · Jan 25th, 2009, 04:08 AM

Yep, from the first day of your last period - but, you will get a more accurate date when you go for your dating scan. However, only 5% of babies actually come on their due date!

xxx

peabean · Jan 25th, 2009, 05:24 AM

Ok so I feel a right nana. Not seven weeks as I thought, but six. Not sure what caused the confusion. Can I blame the 'baby head' yet?! Haha

Jan 24th, 2009, 12:05 PM	#1
peabean Pregnant (Expecting) Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 170	When do you start counting from? Hi girls, Just a quickie. I was wondering when you guys count your pregnancy from? Might sound obvious but I'm really confused as to whether I'm 7 weeks (if you count from last period) or 5 weeks (if you count from when baby was most likely conceived - around time of ovulation) With different information flying around about what to expect at week 5 and week 7, I wish I knew which one counts! Also, does anyone know if the length of cycle affects due dates? My doctor obviously calculated my due date based on a 'normal' 28 day cycle, but mine's more like 31 days, and an online calculator I used took this into account and gave me a later due date than doctor did. I know it's all estimation and guesswork at this early stage, but anyone know which is most accurate? Thanks!!

Status: Offline

Jan 24th, 2009, 12:21 PM	#2
TTC LADY Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: UK Posts: 1,730	Hi. The gestational age of the baby is calculated from the first day of your last menstrual period. Since the exact date of conception is almost never known, as ovulation can vary, the first day of the last menstrual period is generally used to measure how old the baby is. When you have your first scan the doctor will give you a more accurate date based on the CRL of the baby. Hope this helps

Status: Offline

Jan 24th, 2009, 12:38 PM	#3
Pippin Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: London Posts: 7,951	Yep as TTC lady says. Congratulations.

Status: Offline

Jan 24th, 2009, 13:48 PM	#4
charliesmom Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: California Posts: 942	You're considered universally as 7 weeks (counted by your last mentral date), but later when you do a dating scan, the doctor will be able to tell you more accurately how far along you are. And yes, you're right, it does matter how long your cycles are... didn't your doctor ask you that? They usually do.

Status: Offline

Jan 24th, 2009, 15:55 PM	#5
Carolyn Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Derbyshire, UK Posts: 887	sorry to hijack you thread... does anyone know how to work it out if you haven't had a period?

Status: Offline

Jan 24th, 2009, 16:01 PM	#6
peabean Pregnant (Expecting) Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 170	Hi Carolyn, no worries! I think you count from the first day of the last period you actually had...

Status: Offline

Jan 25th, 2009, 00:35 AM	#8
Lorien Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 817	My cycles tend to be a little longer than 28 days as well, and my midwife told me she will extend my due date by the extra days on my cycle. For instance, my due day on July 26 is extended by the three days extra between 28 days and 31 days, so I'll be July 29th.

Status: Offline

Jan 25th, 2009, 04:08 AM	#9
poppy Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 5,015	Yep, from the first day of your last period - but, you will get a more accurate date when you go for your dating scan. However, only 5% of babies actually come on their due date! xxx

Status: Offline

Jan 25th, 2009, 05:24 AM	#10
peabean Pregnant (Expecting) Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 170	Got it wrong!! Haha Ok so I feel a right nana. Not seven weeks as I thought, but six. Not sure what caused the confusion. Can I blame the 'baby head' yet?! Haha

Status: Offline

User Name		Remember Me?
Password

When do you start counting from?

Got it wrong!! Haha