Confused with dates

[Stardust89]

Hi all,

I've just found out today that I am pregnant! Only thing is, I've been so concerned with the processes and timings of conception, that I've neglected to look for information proceeding it - so I'm hoping someone can help me.

The first day of my last period was 25/12/10 (yes, Christmas day! ) and I have been using the cbfm so know that I ovulated around 17/1/11.
In the little bit of research I've managed to do since finding out I am pregnant earlier today, it seems as though there are 2 different time scales to work with - firstly x number of weeks pregnant (used by docs and taken from first day of last period) and secondly the gestational age (taken from time of conception). So when I tell people I'm expecting, am I telling them I'm 5 weeks pregnant or 2 weeks pregnant -or something completely different?

Thanks x

 

[satine51]

Hi Stardust, congratulations! I was equally confused about the dates, but I got it all sorted So the doctors count it from the day of your last period, so that makes you 5 weeks pregnant. If you were to tell anybody, that's what you'd say. But because your ov date was a bit later than the standard 14 days (mine was on day 21 of my cycle), when you have your scan, they will probably put you back a few days but don't worry about that. Until the first scan, it's an approximate date.

Hope it helps! x

 

[Stardust89]

Thanks for that

So when looking at week by week development, I should be looking at 5 weeks and not the gestational age of 2 weeks too?

x

 

[jcg0506]

Yes, you should look at 5 weeks on the development charts. I agree, its all a bit confusing, especially since that logic when you're one week pregnant, you're not really pregnant at all. I think its because, except for those of us who were obsessed with TTC and knew when we ovulated, most women don't so its easier to date by LMP.