How to calculate which week of pregnancy it is. Calculation of gestational age, methods for determining gestational age by week, calculator

Knowing how pregnancy progresses week by week is not only interesting, but also very useful! The pregnancy calendar will help you with this. It is designed to keep the mother informed of all events in intrauterine development and help adjust nutrition and lifestyle during different periods of pregnancy. In addition, the pregnancy calendar allows you to calculate the expected date of birth.

Pregnancy calendar by week

The pregnancy calendar by week is very convenient. It will facilitate medical supervision of the expectant mother and her baby, and will also give answers to the most important questions that will certainly arise in front of you: when the belly begins to grow, why does one feel sick during pregnancy, how to recognize the first movement of the fetus.

Thanks to this calendar, you will not forget that the time has come to undergo screening, take tests, or go for a routine ultrasound. And as the due date approaches, such a weekly calendar will help you best prepare for the long-awaited event.

By month

The monthly pregnancy calendar will become your guide to all 40 weeks of pregnancy. Every expectant mother will be able to leave her reviews, observations, share experiences and useful information here. Together we will watch how quickly our babies grow and develop! And give advice on the right lifestyle, diet and safe treatment of all sorts of ailments.

Each month of pregnancy is marked by serious changes in the development of the child: he achieves greater success in physical and mental development, the baby’s brain grows rapidly, muscle mass strengthens, vital organs and systems are formed, and even the first natural skills! The pregnancy calendar by month will familiarize you in detail with these events at each stage.

Personal pregnancy calendar

Every woman can keep a personal pregnancy calendar. Moreover, it is welcomed and recommended. After all, now you are in a very special state. Many sensations are new to you, and can even cause worries and fears - the body of a pregnant woman undergoes enormous changes, both in the physiological sense and in the psychological sense.

The pregnancy calendar by week and month is compiled with an attempt and purpose to explain each of them.

You can keep a personal pregnancy calendar in a separate notebook, which you decorate in accordance with your mood, tastes, experiences, as well as whether you are expecting a boy or a girl. Such an album will be an excellent start to a family chronicle or a chronicle of the life of your heir.

Interactive pregnancy calendar

But in addition, modern expectant mothers resort to the Internet and choose an interactive pregnancy calendar for observations. It is convenient, easy to use, accurate, practical, informative and completely free!

You can resort to its help when you need to quickly determine the date of birth or accurately determine the current stage of pregnancy (using a special calculator for this), divide your pregnancy into trimesters, months or weeks.

Online pregnancy calendar is becoming increasingly popular. Women want to know more about this special period: what are the first signs of pregnancy, how to avoid miscarriage, what to do with increased uterine tone, how to recognize the first warning signs of labor, how to determine the sex of the child. The calendar will contain articles, tips, explanations, as well as a calculator for determining the duration of pregnancy and the expected date of birth.

You can conduct personal monitoring of your own pregnancy, your condition and that of your child, and carry out calculations that interest you.

Online pregnancy calendar - at your service! Keep your finger on the pulse of the most important events in your life!

The need to calculate the duration of pregnancy by week occurs in almost every pregnant woman and more than once during pregnancy. And this is necessary not only to simply know your due date or to correctly track the pregnancy calendar. I also want to calculate the duration of pregnancy and childbirth so as not to doubt the correctness of the doctor’s actions; if a mistake is made in the consultation, this can also affect the date of going on maternity leave; I don’t want to work an extra couple of weeks, do I?

First, some general information.

Our calculator will help you calculate the obstetric gestational age; it slightly does not correspond to the real life span of the fetus. Gynecologists base all their calculations on the date of the first day of the last menstruation, and do not count from fertilization, this is due to the ease of error in the date of conception.

A woman’s ovulation can shift significantly in time, especially if she does not have a regular cycle, and of course, not everyone can know the exact date of fertilization; it is difficult to calculate the gestational age based on ovulation. And the date of the start of the last menstruation is usually known.

We have a special calculator that allows you to independently calculate the gestational age online. He will give you information not only about the obstetric gestational age, but also the date of conception, the age of the fetus, and the date of birth.

The problem may arise if you do not have it regularly. How to correctly calculate the gestational age based on menstruation with an irregular cycle? You need to add up the length of the last 6 cycles and divide by 6, so you get the average duration, this is the number of days and must be entered into the calculator field.

All received data can be easily controlled using other calculation systems.

You can accurately calculate the gestational age (or relatively accurately, as gynecologists believe) using the Naegele formula. It does not take into account the length of your cycle and therefore the result may differ from the period that our calculator gives, but this will certainly coincide with the calculations of the gynecologist: from the first day of the missed period we subtract 3 months and add 7 days to the resulting date. This is your due date. It will not be possible to calculate the gestational age by months, weeks and days, as with our calculator.

If you had an ultrasound, the doctor measured the baby's development indicators. Its weight and the length of the bones make it possible to calculate the gestational age using ultrasound, but this calculation is accurate only in the first trimester; the longer the period, the greater the difference in physical development between different children, and the higher the risk of error in determining the timing of pregnancy.

Almost all calculation methods carry a certain risk of error, which is why only 4% of children are born at the PDA (preliminary due date).

It is better to evaluate the results of calculations in combination (ultrasound, date of last menstruation, first movement and other dates and signs). Still, the due date may fall between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy.

Most of the fair sex are looking forward to the two coveted stripes. And so, as soon as they find out that everything worked out, they have a question: from what day is pregnancy considered? Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to determine this accurately down to the day. The only exception is continuous monitoring of ovulation. But it is carried out only during infertility. But there are other ways that help in more or less correctly calculating the gestational age. These are medical studies, calendar methods, gynecological examinations... Let's figure out what the existing types of determining the period of an interesting position of a woman are.

We count carefully

Some people believe that the stork's waiting period represents the amount of time that passes from the moment of conception. This point of view holds because it is quite true. Only in this case does this mean the embryonic period. Usually its duration is 38 weeks. But the little one may ask to come into this world a little earlier or a little later.

Modern medicine takes into account not the embryonic period of pregnancy, but the obstetric period. Its peculiarity is that the first day of the last menstruation is used for counting. This will be the first day of pregnancy. When a woman registers, the doctor enters exactly this date on the exchange card and relies on it when calculating the period.

It is known that ovulation occurs approximately in the middle of the cycle. Because of this, it becomes clear from what day doctors consider pregnancy. And therefore, the difference between the obstetric and embryonic stages of pregnancy is exactly two weeks (the first period is longer than the second). In the first seven days, the egg begins its maturation and preparation for fertilization.

Oh, these forty weeks!

Typically pregnancy lasts 40 obstetric weeks. But the appearance of a baby between the 38th and 42nd weeks is also considered the norm. Formally, a pregnancy can be considered premature or post-term, but in reality, birth occurs at the time set by nature - exactly on time. Here, of course, the question arises: from what day is pregnancy considered? And such interest is understandable, because the discrepancy in the dates lies in the fact that the calculated obstetric period is very average. It can coincide with the embryonic one only when the baby is conceived in the middle of the 28-day cycle. And this is provided that the cycle before pregnancy was regular.

In addition to the usual calculations using a calendar, the doctor can set a due date, taking into account ultrasound diagnostic data. This will be possible only if the future toddler develops according to all stages of pregnancy.

If the expectant mother believes that conception did not occur in the middle of the cycle, as happens in most cases, but shortly before its end or at the beginning, she must inform her gynecologist about this. Then the doctor will adjust his calculations in order to determine the PDA (preliminary date of birth) as accurately as possible.

Calendar method

This method is designed to control every sexual act. If the union of bodies does not occur very often, then the woman will definitely understand on what day fertilization occurred. Some potential mothers have trained themselves to measure their basal temperature. If they have learned to use the chart correctly, they should tell their doctor about the day they have withdrawn. Based on this information, the doctor will set an approximate date with an error of two weeks.

From what day is pregnancy considered in this case? The error is based on the fact that people in white coats take into account only the obstetric period, the peculiarity of which is its dependence on the first day of the last menstruation. This is a very accurate technique, and the due date is determined within a week. And you can calculate it using a simple formula, probably known to many: the actual day of fertilization + 280 days. Or subtract three months from the day of conception and add seven days. If a potential mother knows the exact day of her ovulation, then only 264 days need to be added to the day of conception. This will also be the correct result.

Such a familiar and promising ultrasound

For many years, ultrasound radiation has been used in medicine to monitor fetal development. After all, every expectant mother is very concerned about the question of how to correctly count pregnancy. And with the help of ultrasound, you can calculate both the approximate time of conception and childbirth. To get a more accurate result, doctors recommend examining a pregnant woman in the first 8 weeks. It is at this stage that each fetus develops exactly the same. The term is determined by its size.

But further development of each future little one occurs strictly individually. Body parts and organs may develop more slowly or faster than the diagrams suggest. From this we can draw a simple conclusion: the shorter the gestational age, the better and more effective the examination’s response will be. The doctor checks the result with the data in the table and verifies the week of pregnancy. If an ultrasound reveals a delay in fetal development, a diagnosis of this will be made. And the only thing that can speed up the development of the little one at least a little is that the expectant mother will be very attentive to her health.

At an appointment with a gynecologist

Some women make the mistake of coming to see a gynecologist on the first day of a delay, hoping that only he can answer whether pregnancy has occurred or not, and if the answer is positive, determine the first day of pregnancy. But at this moment it is impossible to determine this. Yes, the uterus will be slightly enlarged, but this may be due to future menstruation. And its increase, associated with the beginning of a new life, will occur only after the second or third week of the delay. The size of the uterus at this stage will be the size of a chicken egg. The peculiarity of examinations by a gynecologist is the same as that of an ultrasound: the shorter the period, the more accurately the exact date of conception will be determined.

Pregnancy with IVF

The number of women who decide to undergo artificial insemination is increasing every day. This method assumes that the egg will be combined with the sperm, after which specialists will observe them for several days. And here a woman who is subjecting herself to such a procedure has the right to ask from what day to count pregnancy during IVF. And everything is simpler than it might seem: the embryo is transferred no earlier than three to five days later. This is when pregnancy begins.

If a woman has a short cycle, the obstetric period is set from the day of her last menstruation. And if it’s long, then there will be some features. The potential mother will begin to take medications that block the activity of the ovaries (their stimulation will begin later). Therefore, if you count from the last menstruation, then in real life the development of the fetus will be 3-4 weeks, and the calculated period is 7-8 weeks. Therefore, there is no problem understanding from what day pregnancy is considered - from conception or implantation. Gynecologists count precisely from the day the embryo is implanted into the woman’s body.

Getting ready to give birth to a healthy baby

Instead of arguing with the doctor about the situation, from what day do people in white coats count pregnancy, it is better for the expectant mother to direct all her attention and care to the new life that is growing in her. After all, for the development of the baby, not only the physical health of the mother is important, but also the psychological one. A woman should try to experience more positive emotions, breathe fresh air more often, eat more plant foods, and eat a lot of seasonal vegetables and fruits.

Pregnancy is one of the most joyful moments in the life of every woman. She needs to try not to spoil her joy from expecting a baby. The expectant mother should simply enjoy her current situation, rest more and remember that the child is happy only when his mother is happy.

1-2 week

A new menstrual cycle begins in the first week, so at this time it is difficult to talk about actual pregnancy. However, obstetricians-gynecologists start counting not from the date of fertilization of the egg, but from the first day of the cycle. Ovulation occurs, then conception occurs, and only from the third week can we safely talk about pregnancy.

It's time to take care of your health, get rid of bad habits, switch to proper nutrition, and engage in light exercise (but only with your doctor's permission). These measures are very important for the health of the unborn baby, who in nine months will delight the world with his presence.

3-4 week

Child. The fertilized egg has already received all the important information about the future person: eye color, hair, skin, gender. It now travels down the fallopian tube and into the uterus, where the embryo will develop. By the end of the fourth week it will reach a size of 1 mm.

Mother. A woman experiences the first signs of pregnancy: increased basal temperature, feeling tired, drowsiness, increased appetite, changes in taste preferences, nausea, intestinal upset, frequent urge to urinate. Intolerance to hotel odors may occur. Bloody discharge is possible, but you should not be afraid of it. It's time to take a pregnancy test.

5-6 week

Child. At this time, the baby has already formed the main vital organs: heart, liver, kidneys, lungs. And at this time his heart begins to beat! You can hear the heartbeat on an ultrasound. Arms and legs begin to form. The length of the embryo reaches 4 mm, the volume of amniotic fluid is about 3 ml. Visual organs and cartilage tissue are formed. The placenta is actively growing.

Mother. During this period, a woman may experience increased nausea and irritability. The state of the body is similar to what happens before menstruation. It's time to visit a gynecologist who will prescribe the necessary tests.

7-8 week

Child. The umbilical cord is fully formed, ensuring blood circulation between the mother and child. Small hands and tiny fingers begin to form. At this time, the sex of the child is determined. The face, nose, nostrils, ears, and upper lip are formed. The epidermis is formed. The embryo slowly straightens, grows and reaches a weight of 4-6 g, length - 1.5-2 cm.

Mother. The uterus increases to the size of an orange, so the woman gradually develops a belly and feels tight in her clothes. You need to protect yourself from stress, heavy lifting, and sudden movements. On an ultrasound you can see the baby's first movements.

9-10 week

Child. The fetal head is still tilted forward and the chin is tucked toward the chest. The stomach begins to work, and it is already producing gastric juice. The baby develops facial expressions, eyelids form, but the eyes are still closed. The tail disappears completely. The embryonic stage ends and the baby is now called a fetus. The development of baby teeth begins. Now it weighs 7-8 g, length - 2.5-3 cm.

Mother. Mood swings become a common occurrence for women. The waist is rounded, 2-3 kg are added in weight. Hair becomes drier and skin becomes smoother. The work of the heart increases, because now it pumps about one and a half liters of blood per minute.

11-12 week

Child. The head still takes up half the size of the entire fetus as the brain grows rapidly. The kidneys begin to produce urine. The baby reaches a weight of about 13 g and already has real fingers and toes, and the rudiments of nails are developing. The length of the fetus is 4-5 cm. The formation of the iris of the eyes occurs. He begins to open his mouth. It's time to undergo the first ultrasound examination and get to know the child, and also rule out possible congenital anomalies.

Mother. By the end of the 12th week, a woman must register for pregnancy at the antenatal clinic and undergo appropriate examinations with a doctor. Taking vitamins for pregnant women is very important. And most importantly, at this time toxicosis completely passes.

13-14 week

Child. The baby develops a sucking reflex. He turns his head and moves his arms, somersaulting, although these movements are still invisible. You can often see him sucking his thumb on ultrasound! The child grows and his weight becomes about 43 g, and his length is 6-8 cm. The genitals acquire clear outlines. The embryonic fluff appears - lanugo.

Mother. Finally, the tummy becomes noticeable; a longitudinal brown stripe appears on it. Freckles and age spots appear. Constipation may occur. The uterus rises from the pelvis into the abdominal cavity, and the pregnant woman’s appetite increases significantly.

15-16 week

Child. Hairs begin to grow on the baby's head. It actively swims in the amniotic fluid, which tends to renew itself every 3 hours. The baby produces urine every 45 minutes. At week 16, there is a chance to feel the baby’s first movements! The facial muscles have already formed. Marigolds begin to appear and the grasping reflex appears. Weight – about 100 g, length – 12 cm.

Mother. It is worth taking care of your body and purchasing oil against stretch marks. It is very important to visit the dentist, because your body is now actively releasing calcium to your baby, so teeth can deteriorate. It's also time to buy special maternity clothes.

17-18 week

Child. The baby's weight is 140-190 g, length is 14 cm. Most of the bones have already been formed and continue to strengthen. The baby may swallow amniotic fluid. He can already hear well, so you need to talk to him more often and play soft music. During this period, you will definitely feel the baby’s movements, which cannot be confused with anything.

Mother. The woman's breasts become enlarged and colostrum can be produced. The expectant mother may suffer from constipation, so you need to eat more fruits and fresh vegetables. Urination becomes more frequent as the uterus puts a lot of pressure on the bladder.

19-20 week

Child. The baby's body is covered with primordial fluff, his arms are stretched out, he turns his head in different directions. The placenta moves deep into the uterus. The rudiments of permanent teeth appear. The baby's growth slows down, and subcutaneous fat now appears. A birth lubricant is formed covering the folds of the skin. The baby turns towards the light. A second ultrasound examination is carried out to accurately determine the sex of the unborn baby. Its weight is about 300 g, length is 16 cm.

Mother. The back receives a significant load, so you should ensure correct posture and wear comfortable shoes without heels. Brown or red stripes (stretch marks) may appear on the abdomen, thighs and chest.

21-22 weeks

Child. The baby learns to bend and straighten his arms, legs, and grab his heels. Pads with nerve endings appear on the fingers. Eyebrows are indicated on the face. The amount of blood in the body increases. The liquid it captures turns into a solid. It will remain in the intestines until delivery. The baby's weight is 360-430 g, length - 28 cm.

Mother. The first half of the pregnancy was successful. The uterus changes its shape and stretches. Lying on your back is harmful for the baby; he may suffer from a lack of oxygen. Libido increases. Since the fetus is reliably protected, sex cannot harm the child.

23-24 week

Child. The baby's weight reaches 500-600 g, length - 30 cm. Most of the time he sleeps, taking short breaks to stay awake. The skin is a little saggy, as the fat layer has just begun to grow. It pushes with its legs from the inside, floating in the amniotic fluid. Eyelashes appear on the eyelids. The respiratory system develops. Also, the baby is becoming more and more sensitive to the world around him.

Mother. At this time, a woman may experience training contractions, which manifest themselves in the form of short-term painless contractions. Weight gain increases rapidly and reaches 5 kg! Possible heaviness in the legs.

25-26 week

Child. The formation of neurons around the neural tube is completed. The baby is active until late in the evening and sleeps soundly in the morning. He clenches his fists, and at this time it is determined whether he will be left-handed or right-handed. The fetal heartbeat can be heard even without special devices. The lungs are fully formed. 20 rudiments of baby teeth are formed in the jaws, and under them - 20 rudiments of permanent teeth. The remaining 12 are formed after birth. Weight is 660-800 g, length – 35 cm.

Mother. The uterus has enlarged and puts pressure on the diaphragm, displacing the stomach from the abdominal cavity. Because of this, gastric juice rises into the esophagus and heartburn occurs.

27-28 week

Child. The baby's skin is becoming more and more wrinkled. The movements become more and more strong. If the baby is born at this time, his chance of survival is 85%. The child tries to breathe on his own, developing his lungs. He still has enough room to turn himself into the correct position - head down. Weight – 900-1100 g, length – 37 cm.

Mother. Female shapes become more rounded, and blood cholesterol levels increase. While sitting, the uterus puts pressure on the vena cava, which leads to a lack of oxygen and dizziness. Training contractions of the uterus become more frequent. It is worth finding time for proper rest.

29-30 week

Child. The baby's nostrils are free of mucus plugs and amniotic fluid enters them. He already knows how to open and close his eyes and reacts to bright light. The immune system begins its work. The child produces about 500 ml of urine per day. On ultrasound, movements of the chest are noticeable. Enamel appears on the teeth. The baby's weight reaches 1300 g, length - 39 cm.

Mother. The kidneys work harder and may not be able to cope with the amount of fluid entering them, which can lead to the formation of edema. The organs near the uterus are becoming increasingly crowded. The weight of the expectant mother is actively increasing, movements become more clumsy and relatively slow.

31-32 weeks

Child. The baby becomes plump, thus preparing a protective layer against temperature changes in the future. In boys, the testicles descend into the scrotum and reach their extreme position. The child reacts to strong sounds from the outside, despite the fact that the amniotic fluid creates a kind of plug in the ears. The kidneys are already working well. The nail plate reaches the fingertips. Weight 1600-1900 g, length – 42 cm.

Mother. A woman may experience swelling and dilated veins in her legs, so she needs to control her fluid intake and take walks in the fresh air. At this time, a Doppler ultrasound examination of the baby’s circulatory system is performed.

33-34 weeks

Child. The baby becomes cramped in the womb, so he moves less often than before. The child continues to consume calcium from the mother’s body, which is so important for the formation of the skeleton. A skin pattern appears on the fingers and toes. The skin is now less red, and the hair on the head becomes thicker. Baby weight – 1900-2400 g, length – 45 cm.

Mother. The woman begins to feel short of breath because the two have to consume more oxygen. The gums become soft, bleeding and gingivitis may occur. Forgetfulness and absent-mindedness appear. You should remain calm in any case, because the baby subtly feels the mother’s worries.

35-36 week

Child. In the last weeks of life, the baby's fluff begins to disappear in the womb. The skin becomes pink and smoothes due to subcutaneous fat. The cheeks become plumper, this will help in the future to receive food in the right quantity. The amniotic fluid takes on a sticky and viscous consistency. Internal organs continue to improve. The baby's weight is 2400-2600 g, length - 47 cm.

Mother. To reduce sleep problems, it is advisable to drink less fluid at night. If heartburn occurs, you need to eat small portions, but often. Time suitable for attending courses for pregnant women, choosing a maternity hospital, choosing an obstetrician.

37-38 week

Child. The baby has already turned his head down. It loses its original fluff and there is much less lubrication. Sometimes he scratches himself, making awkward movements with his arms. His lungs are ready to breathe air. The expectant mother may feel her baby hiccupping in her tummy. Its weight is 3000 g, length - 50 cm.

Mother. The pregnant woman's belly has dropped, and now breathing has become much easier. The uterus has increased as much as possible, its volume is 4-5 liters. The pregnancy can already be considered fully term. Now labor can begin any day now, so things for the maternity hospital should be collected in bags.

39-40 week

Child. Most newborns are born with long nails, because by this time they have fully grown. The child’s activity slows down, because his tummy has long been cramped and dark. His intestines are filled with original feces - meconium, which will come out, most likely, after birth. The length of the hair on the head is about 2 cm. The average weight of a child is 3200-3500 g, length - 52 cm. The baby is completely ready for birth - meet the main person in your life!

Mother. A woman suffers from insomnia and has pain in her lower back. The cervix begins to shorten and dilate. The uterus puts more pressure on the bladder. False or real contractions may appear. Childbirth occurs with an error of 1-2 weeks earlier or later than a certain date.

41-42 weeks

Child. The baby is fully developed, all his organs are functioning correctly. He continues to grow and gain weight; his tummy has become very cramped. The bones of the skull continue to strengthen, which may make it a little more difficult for the baby to pass through the birth canal. You need to count the number of movements per hour, and if it is at least 10, everything is fine with the baby.

Mother. Until the end of the 42nd week, pregnancy is not considered post-term. If the baby has not been born by this time, there is still no cause for concern. Labor can be stimulated by long walks, bending forward, and sex with your husband. If you have not given birth by this time, practice breathing techniques, give valuable instructions to relatives - and quickly go to the delivery room!

Calculating the gestational age with an accuracy of one day is very difficult and is possible, perhaps, only if ovulation is specifically monitored using ultrasound. But these procedures are carried out only for the treatment of infertility. Therefore, the day of conception often remains a secret even for the couple themselves, not to mention the doctors.

And yet, are there any calendar methods for calculating conception? Is it possible to calculate the gestational age based on the menstrual cycle and the day of delay? What procedures and tests help in diagnosis and calculations? You will read about all this in the article.

Calendar methods

If sexual intercourse does not occur too often, then it is quite possible that a woman will remember exactly on what day that same nimble sperm entered her body, which subsequently fertilized the egg. This is also possible if a woman carefully measures her basal temperature over several cycles and knows how to use the resulting graphs with temperature values. She tells the doctor this calculated day after her pregnancy is confirmed. However, the doctor, having found out when the patient’s last period was, calls the period 2 weeks longer. How can this be and what to believe?

The fact is that doctors calculate the obstetric period, and it depends only on the first day of the last menstruation. It turns out that pregnancy begins on the first day of menstruation, although this is not true, of course. But this calculation method turns out to be quite accurate. And using the same method, the expected date of birth is calculated: 280 days are added to the first day of the last menstruation, or 3 months are subtracted and 7 days are added (according to Naegele’s formula).

If the day of ovulation is known exactly, then we can add not 280 days to the first day of the menstrual cycle, but 264. And in this way we will also find out the estimated due date. Well, you can start counting pregnancy from the day of ovulation. But again, doctors do not conduct such calculations, and these values ​​are not taken into account.

Ultrasonography

Ultrasound has been actively used for many years to diagnose fetal development. And with the help of ultrasound, the gestational age is determined. Particularly accurate in this regard are studies conducted in the first weeks of pregnancy (up to 8 weeks). During this period, all healthy embryos develop equally, and the gestational age according to the size of the fetus is determined exactly down to the day. The longer the period, the more mistakes there are, since children begin to show individuality in a sense - one may have a slightly larger head than it should be at a certain period, while another baby has a height slightly below his age limits. If the deviations are minor - a week or less - then doctors, as a rule, do not take them into account, and nothing needs to be treated. The estimated period is set based on measurement data of the coccygeal-parietal size. The result is obtained using a table.

If there is a developmental delay of 2 weeks or more, despite all this, there is confidence that there is no error in setting the gestational age, the doctor makes a diagnosis of “intrauterine growth retardation.” It is impossible to “cure” her. Everything that is done in the hospital has only a preventive, and not too pronounced, effect. Good nutrition, a healthy lifestyle, walks, quiet leisure time - that’s what’s much more important.

Gynecological examination

Many women go to the gynecologist on the first day of the delay, or even earlier, in the hope that the doctor will be able to tell for sure whether they are pregnant or not. But this is impossible, unfortunately. The uterus may be slightly enlarged before menstruation. The growth of the uterus, due to the development of the fetus in it, begins noticeably from the end of the first trimester. At 5-6 weeks (that is, in the second or third week of delayed menstruation), the uterus is slightly larger than usual; the volume can be compared to a chicken egg. At 8 weeks the uterus is already the size of a goose egg, and at 10 weeks it is the size of a woman’s fist. Again, gynecological examinations are more accurate in determining the duration of pregnancy, the shorter it is.

Date of first movement

All gynecologists inspire their patients, expectant mothers, that they must remember the day when they first felt the baby inside them, that is, they felt his movements. It is believed that in pregnant women for the first time this occurs at exactly 20 weeks of pregnancy, and in pregnant women again - at exactly 18 weeks. This date must be included in the pregnant woman’s dispensary card and taken into account when determining the expected date of birth. Although, if you believe the statements of many expectant mothers, the timing of the first movements does not always coincide with the “book” ones. I would also like to reassure a little hyper-responsible expectant mothers who are afraid that they will not notice the first movements, thereby confusing the doctor when setting the date of birth, which can lead to post-term pregnancy. Firstly, postmaturity is diagnosed based on the results of Doppler ultrasound and some ultrasound indicators (maturity of the placenta, volume of amniotic fluid, etc.). And secondly, the first movements are indeed very light, but quite noticeable. It is impossible not to notice movement if you are in a horizontal position, especially on your back.

Uterus length

From approximately the second trimester of pregnancy, and sometimes earlier, gynecologists evaluate fetal development based on the length of the uterus. It is measured with a measuring tape, the expectant mother lies on the couch. Every week it adds about 1 centimeter. There is another measurement method; many doctors use the corresponding tablets, and they can also be found in manuals on obstetrics and gynecology.

12 weeks - uterus at the upper edge of the womb

14 weeks - the uterus is two fingers higher than the womb

16 weeks - the fundus of the uterus is felt between the navel and womb

20 weeks - the fundus of the uterus is two fingers below the navel

24 weeks - uterus at navel level

28 weeks - the fundus of the uterus is 2 fingers above the navel

32 weeks - between the navel and the xiphoid process (the shortest part of the sternum), length 28-30 cm

36 weeks - the fundus of the uterus is at the level of the xiphoid process, “supports” the ribs, length 32-34 cm

40 weeks - before birth, the uterus drops to the level of 32 weeks, as the baby’s head (or other presenting part of the fetus) moves lower into the pelvis and prepares for release.

In addition to the length of the uterus, the volume of the abdomen is also taken into account, but these dimensions are more variable, do not always show the true state of affairs and help calculate the gestational age by week. Abdominal volume is measured at the level of the navel. So, in a woman with normal weight before and during pregnancy, the abdominal volume at 32 weeks will be approximately 85 centimeters, and by the end of pregnancy it will reach 90-100 cm. This increase is associated with the rapid weight gain of the child.

The length of the uterus not only helps to verify the normal development of the fetus and the gestational age, but also to detect in time such pathologies as polyhydramnios or oligohydramnios and others.

Heart sounds

The baby’s heart begins to beat already at 4.5 weeks, that is, 2-3 weeks after the start of a woman’s delayed menstruation. Heartbeats are visible on ultrasound, and this is the main sign that the embryo is alive and developing. Later, the doctor begins to hear the heartbeat through the outer wall of the uterus. But you can only hear heart sounds not at 10-12 weeks, but later - at about the same time as you feel the first movements. The heartbeat is heard using an obstetric stethoscope - a special tube that the doctor places on the patient’s stomach. The heartbeat can be heard poorly for several reasons. The most “harmless” of them are the placenta, which is located on the anterior wall of the uterus, and thereby muffles the sound, and significant deposits of fat on the abdominal wall. More serious - polyhydramnios, chronic hypoxia. The longer the period, the more clearly the heart rhythms can be heard.