How many days pass from conception to the day of birth?

The news of pregnancy is one of the most important events in the life of any wife. She immediately begins counting down the weeks and hours until birth. After the first examination, the doctor should help the expectant mother and tell her approximately how much time is left. Of course, no one can name the exact date.

The specialist puts forward an expected date of birth, but it can be adjusted depending on many circumstances. So you can only approximately calculate how many days from conception to birth.

How many weeks does pregnancy normally last from the day of conception?

We are used to thinking that pregnancy lasts 9 months or 40 weeks, but both of these options are not entirely correct. Most often, about 266 days pass from the moment of conception to the birth of the child, that is, pregnancy lasts 38 weeks in 80% of women. This is why the date of birth is called the estimated date (DA), which in most cases comes as a surprise, because it is difficult to accurately calculate it, even knowing the day of conception. It is impossible to predict how long it will take for the egg to be fertilized and subsequently implanted in the uterus. Many mothers do not know on what day conception occurred, which is generally normal for people who are sexually active.

For women with a regular menstrual cycle of 28 days, the easiest way to calculate the approximate date of birth is to add 280 days to the day of the last period before conception.

Therefore, the PDR is calculated based on the beginning of the last menstruation before pregnancy. Ovulation—the day the egg is released for fertilization—occurs on the 14th day of the monthly cycle. Conception can occur a few days after sexual intercourse, because under favorable conditions, sperm remain suitable for fertilization for about another week. If you count 280 days from the day your period starts, you can get the expected date of birth (14 days before ovulation and 266 after). Forty weeks of pregnancy is the period that obstetricians-gynecologists consider the norm. But in fact, for the first 2 weeks of them, the woman is not pregnant.

Errors in calculations arise due to differences in the duration of the menstrual cycle; for some women it is 24 days, for others it is up to 34. Consequently, ovulation occurs earlier or later than in women with a cycle duration of 28 days, which is considered to be the average . Sometimes a child is born on the same day as planned, but this is nothing more than a mere coincidence. A normal full-term pregnancy is considered to be one in which childbirth occurs after 37, but before 41 weeks of gestation.

Video: obstetrician about how long a normal pregnancy lasts

My close friend Olya had a funny episode 13 years ago. Well, how funny, now I remember it with a smile, but then Lelya had no time to laugh. She just got married and, 2 months later, she found out that she would soon be a mother. The husband's joy knew no bounds until he saw a week longer than their family life. The wife’s arguments that she got married as a girl did not convince Zhenya much. I had to take him with me to the doctor, who explained to the future father why there was a difference in the time and date of the wedding. If Mishka had not been born fiery red and with hemp, like dad, Evgeniy still doubted, according to him. This is how determining pregnancy by the menstrual cycle almost destroyed a newly-made family.

Development of pregnancy

To understand what numbers and dates are used in the calculation, you need to understand the periods of pregnancy.

1. Day of conception. Determining the exact day of conception is quite difficult, even if you know when sexual intercourse occurred. The fact is that the timing of a woman’s egg release and the speed of sperm movement can vary. The lifespan of sperm is about three days; this is precisely the error inherent in the date of conception.
2. Day of the last menstruation. Unlike the previous deadline, this parameter is determined by a specific day. This explains why this date is most often used when calculating the duration of pregnancy and the date of birth.
3. Duration of pregnancy. It is believed that the normal gestation period for a woman is 9 months. Doctors use a more precise time and count 40 weeks. However, the discrepancy between the estimated date and the real one is explained by the fact that:

• it is unknown how many days the egg moved through the fallopian tubes;
• the exact timing of implantation is unknown;
• The timing of fetal ripening may vary.

Factors influencing the length of pregnancy

We have found that more than 2/3 of pregnancies last 266 days from conception to birth; it is time to learn about the factors that cause deviations from the norm in one direction or another. Reasons that the gestation period of a child is more or less than 38 weeks:

• hereditary factor. If relatives in the direct ascending line - mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers - have experienced cases of premature or late birth, the woman’s chances of giving birth earlier or later than her due date increase;
• age of the pregnant woman. Women giving birth under 20 and after 30 years of age most often have premature or post-term babies, especially during the first pregnancy;
• the health status of the expectant mother. If a pregnant woman feels unwell due to chronic diseases or the development of their acute forms, most likely the baby will be born prematurely.
• pregnant woman's lifestyle. Premature birth is provoked by the presence of bad habits, prolonged exposure to stress and unsatisfactory living conditions of the woman. But the inactivity of the expectant mother, if there is no special indication for rest, can lead to post-term pregnancy;
• psychological mood of a woman. Sometimes fatigue from long months of pregnancy causes a desire to give birth as quickly as possible, and the body of some mothers responds by giving birth to a child before 40 weeks. And if a pregnant woman is afraid of the upcoming birth and is not mentally prepared for it, delivery can be postponed by the body, but for no more than 2 weeks. Doctors will not allow you to carry the baby longer;
• multiple pregnancy. At once 2 or more little people in the womb, developing, put more and more pressure on the uterus. Therefore, mothers rarely manage to carry twins to 38 weeks, although there are exceptions;
• menstrual cycle. Expectant mothers with a short cycle are more likely to give birth to children prematurely, and those who go more than 35 days between periods may give birth later than PPD. As with heredity, these are variants of the norm;
• gender of the child. Although scientists have found that girls develop faster than boys, no one can guarantee the birth of a daughter at an earlier stage than her brother. The probability is high, but not 100%;
• order of pregnancies. There is an opinion that repeated pregnancies last less than previous ones, but this is also not a fact. Although, it is better to be prepared in advance.

Repeated pregnancy increases the chance of giving birth up to 40 weeks, because the birth canal already has experience in preparing for the passage of a child.
My sister’s friend was sure that she would give birth before the New Year, although the PDA was set for mid-January, and Katya was very afraid to give birth. But when the twentieth of January appeared on the calendar, her baby still had no intention of leaving his mother; in the last 2 weeks before the birth, the boy had gained a lot of weight and was clearly counting on the continuation of the banquet. And the ultrasound showed that it was time to stimulate labor. So the hero, weighing 3900 grams, was born. Now at 5 months he looks 8 or 9, and Katya jokes that if it weren’t for the doctors, her calm little one would still be sitting in her mother’s belly. Katya’s fear of childbirth and the baby’s weight managed to prolong the pregnancy to 41 weeks, but I don’t advise you to try again.

Table: pathologies and diseases that provoke premature or late birth

Starting time of maternity leave in special cases

In some situations, maternity leave may begin earlier, even if we are not talking about the birth of twins or triplets.

The first of these situations is premature birth. If they happened from 22 to 30 weeks of pregnancy, before going on maternity leave, the leave begins from the day of unscheduled hospitalization. Its duration is standard - from 140 to 194 days, depending on the situation.

The second case is if there are special living conditions. If a woman lives in an area that has been exposed to radiation contamination due to the accidents at Chernobyl and the Mayak plant (including contamination of the Techa River), maternity leave begins not 70, but 90 days before giving birth. This is around 27 weeks of pregnancy.

Other situations are not provided for by law. If a woman is having a difficult pregnancy, it makes sense to ask for annual paid leave at work before maternity leave. In order to move from one vacation to another without leaving the workplace.

What rules must be followed to give birth at the right time?

If for any reason you are in the risk group of women with a risk of premature birth or post-term pregnancy, your doctor should definitely draw up an individual prevention plan for you. It depends on the reasons that provoke possible deviations from the normal duration of pregnancy. General recommendations for pregnant women to ensure that they give birth on time include the following:

• answer all questions truthfully when registering so that the deadline is set as accurately as possible;
• do not miss visits to the doctor, undergo the necessary examinations and tests on time;
• carry out all doctor’s prescriptions for the treatment of identified pathologies, it is advisable to do this at the planning stage;
• if the doctor insists on hospitalization, agree;
• report the slightest ailments and short-term symptoms;
• get rid of bad habits;
• Avoid crowded places, especially during epidemics of infectious diseases.

After 38 weeks of pregnancy, the baby’s intrauterine development can be considered complete, the baby is ready to be born.
The threat of premature birth requires therapy that will prolong gestation as long as possible. Especially if the baby risks being born before the 28th week, because its organs and systems are not yet ready for independent life outside the mother’s womb. If the pregnancy is postterm, labor can be stimulated as early as 41 weeks. The decision is made by the obstetrician based on the results of intrauterine examinations (ultrasound, analysis of amniotic fluid), showing the pathological condition of the fetus.

Video: is it possible to know exactly when a baby is born?

Peculiarities

Various factors can influence how long pregnancy lasts:

1. Heredity.
2. Rate of fetal development.
3. Psychological state of the mother.
4. Intrauterine condition.
5. Mother's health and age.

Gestation lasting longer or shorter than the standard weeks of pregnancy can cause health problems for the baby. Therefore, deviations in any direction are extremely undesirable.

Every woman needs to understand how many weeks pregnancy lasts and know the features of each month. Thus, you can monitor the progress of the process and consult a doctor at the slightest doubt. It is not necessary to know exactly how many weeks a woman will go into labor; it is enough just to fit within the acceptable time frame. The main thing is a healthy child and a calm mother.

You can share the article with friends via social media. networks:

How to calculate the duration of pregnancy

There are several ways to calculate the gestational age, and everyone has a different level of reliability of the result. Let's look at the most famous ones.

Naegele obstetric formula

The easiest way to find out the gestational age is to use the Naegele formula, as obstetricians do.

PDR = PDPM - 3 months + 7 days. That is, to get the expected date of birth (ED), you need to subtract 3 months from the first day of the last menstruation (LDM) and add another week to the result. For example, your PDPM fell on June 22, then PDP = June 22 - 3 months + 7 days = March 29.

All calculators that are easy to find on the Internet are based on this formula. Write in the search bar “calculate gestational age online calculator” if you don’t want to bother with calculations using the calendar. All you have to do is select the first day of your last menstrual period and, possibly, the length of your menstrual cycle, then click “calculate”.

Some pregnancy calculators don’t just give you dry numbers, but introduce you to the possible sizes of your baby and even your expected zodiac sign

The result is quite accurate, but incorrect calculations occur in the following cases:

• A woman's menstrual cycle differs from the average length of 28 days. If it lasts less (22–24 days), then ovulation occurs earlier than after 14 days. And with a cycle lasting more than 30 days, ovulation and, accordingly, conception occurs later, 2 weeks after PDPM;
• threat of early pregnancy loss. A woman, not knowing about her pregnancy, may mistake bleeding with a threat of miscarriage at 4–5 weeks for menstruation. The actual period after conception in this case is longer than the calculation using the obstetric formula can show;
• Irregular use of birth control pills. Failure to follow the dosage schedule can cause unscheduled ovulation and conception of a baby. And you will only have to guess about the date of this event.

HCG level

Most doctors agree that measuring the level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is only suitable for establishing the fact of pregnancy. Traces of this hormone are detected already on the tenth day after conception, and are present in the urine and blood until childbirth; at first the levels increase rapidly, and in the third trimester the level of hCG begins to decrease.

According to doctors, pregnancy tests showing the period in weeks based on hCG levels are nothing more than an advertising gimmick

Each week of pregnancy has its own lower and upper limits for hCG levels, but since they often overlap, making diagnosis difficult. This method of determining gestational age is used extremely rarely due to its low efficiency. Only a gynecologist has the right to interpret the tests. To accurately measure the level of the hCG hormone, a blood test is taken, not a urine test.

Table: hCG level by week of pregnancy in international units per liter

By date of first fetal movement

It is generally accepted that during the first pregnancy, the mother feels fetal movements at 20 weeks - exactly in the middle of the gestation period, and in subsequent ones this happens 2-3 weeks earlier. But you shouldn’t rely on this method either, because errors are inevitable in this case:

• Women have different thicknesses of abdominal fat; thin mothers may feel tremors from the inside earlier;
• slight movements of the child begin already from the 13th week, and if the mother really wants to feel them, then purely psychologically she will be able to convince herself that the fetus has begun to move;
• often the bubbling of gases in one's own intestines is mistaken for the baby's movements, this is especially typical for inexperienced first-time mothers.

The doctor warns that the child’s first movements must be reported immediately during a routine visit. This helps to indirectly confirm the expected period.

Popular in women's communities, images of children's hands or feet supposedly protruding from the mother's belly are a real fake. Therefore, you should not expect this from your baby; it is reliably separated from the skin on your abdomen by the subcutaneous fat layer and the placenta.

Examination by a doctor to determine the size of the uterus

When registering, a gynecologist must examine the expectant mother in a gynecological chair. This allows you to determine the size of the uterus and the height of its upper part, called the uterine fundus, to find out the gestational age. In a non-pregnant state, the uterus is approximately 3*4*5 cm, and the attached embryo increases its size, makes it rounder and softer. For example, a uterus the size of a newborn’s head occurs at 12–13 weeks of pregnancy.

The determination method is not 100% accurate, but quite accurate. The result can be distorted by a non-standard position of the uterus, a neoplasm in it such as fibroids, or even a full bladder. Therefore, before visiting the office, you need to visit the restroom.

Measuring the height of the fundus of the uterus can be carried out in a vertical position, and if the room is cool, they will be allowed to cover themselves with a thin cloth

At subsequent visits, as the period increases, the medical examination consists of externally measuring the abdomen with a centimeter ruler. The woman is placed on the couch, the abdomen is exposed and palpated to determine the location of the uterine fundus, then a measurement is taken with a flexible tape with a scale applied. This is how the fundus height of the uterus (UF) is determined after it emerges from the womb at 14–16 weeks. One week of pregnancy corresponds to approximately 1 centimeter, therefore, a UMR of 22 cm indicates an estimated 22 weeks of pregnancy, but a difference of 1–3 cm is allowed, up or down.

Ultrasound diagnostics

Ultrasound screening examination, if performed early, gives the most accurate results, up to one day. The ideal time for an ultrasound is considered to be 11–12 weeks, that is, the first trimester. By this time, the fetus reaches 3–4 cm and it becomes possible to measure its coccygeal-parietal size (CPR), which allows one to determine the exact gestational age. At 12 weeks they will definitely say about a multiple pregnancy if a woman is expecting twins.

There are 2 options for ultrasound:

• transvaginal, which is carried out through the vagina and allows you to determine the presence of a fertilized egg in the uterus within a week after conception. However, doctors prescribe this method of ultrasound examination only if an ectopic pregnancy is suspected, because the safety of the method has not been fully studied;
• abdominal, carried out through the abdomen, along the outer surface of which an ultrasound sensor is moved. The pregnant woman is placed on the couch, her stomach is exposed and a special lubricant is applied, and the sensor transmits to the monitor what is happening inside the expectant mother’s uterus. Ultrasound makes it possible to obtain data on the size of the fetus. In the conclusion, the doctor must indicate what period he has in mind - obstetric (from PDPM) or embryonic (from the day of conception).

A high-precision ultrasound sensor sends signals to a computer, and an image of the baby in the mother’s womb is displayed on the monitor, which can then be saved as a memory.
Starting from 22–24 weeks, determining the correct stage of pregnancy becomes more difficult. Women who missed an ultrasound in the first trimester are often given a conclusion about delays or malformations of the fetus, focusing on the obstetric gestational age and the actual indicators of the baby. This happens most often due to heredity - the child’s short stature or large head, but if the first ultrasound was done, there is a high probability that the problem is real. That’s why it’s so important to get into an ultrasound specialist’s office as early as possible. In the third trimester, it makes no sense to find out the due date using an ultrasound examination; it only helps to check whether everything is okay with the baby.

During a transvaginal ultrasound examination, to prevent infection in the vagina, a special gynecological condom is placed on the ultrasound machine sensor.

In general, the most effective way to find out the gestational age today is considered to be an ultrasound, and auxiliary ones are a doctor’s examination and the Naegele formula. Why do doctors need to know the gestational age:

• to assess the rate of fetal development;
• find out when to prepare for childbirth;
• do not miss an important study for possible gene mutations (Down syndrome and others);
• assess the viability of the baby in case of premature birth.

From what week is a baby considered full-term: signs, timing and recommendations

In fact, this topic is very relevant in many women's forums, and future, as well as real mothers, are passionately discussing what period is considered normal for the birth of a child.
Today we want to tell you the opinion of official medicine. Let’s make a reservation right away: despite clear data on what week a baby is considered full-term, there are exceptions to this rule. Moreover, the birth of a baby a little earlier or later than the average term almost never threatens his life and health.

However, doctors will try to stop the onset of labor much earlier than expected and delay the time as much as possible.

Delivery on time

The ideal time for the birth of a baby is the fortieth week. It was by this time that he managed not only to completely complete the formation of internal organs, but also to build up a sufficient amount of subcutaneous fat for effective thermoregulation.

Therefore, speaking about what week a baby is considered full-term, it seems logical to say 40 weeks. The child is completely ready to be born and live outside the mother’s tummy, and there should be no fears for his life and health. However, not all babies are born at this time.

According to statistics, only 9% of women give birth at exactly 40 weeks.

Standard options

It is precisely because of the high variability that obstetricians-gynecologists and pediatricians have somewhat reconsidered the question of at what week a child is considered full-term. What can be considered normal or at least acceptable for childbirth? This is a fairly long period of time from the 37th to the 42nd week inclusive.

However, the terminology is slightly different. Childbirth before the 37th week (the 36th is no exception) is considered premature, and babies born at this time are considered premature.

From the 37th to the 40th week, the optimal period for the birth of babies begins, therefore, during this period, childbirth is called physiological. Finally, starting from the 41st week, the pregnancy is considered post-term, and by the end of the 42nd week, doctors will send the woman to the maternity hospital to stimulate labor.

We have already answered the main question, from what week the baby is considered full-term, but there are still a number of points that need to be discussed.

Woman at 37 weeks

You can be congratulated, the long journey of experiences is almost behind you. This is especially true for those whose pregnancy proceeded with the threat of miscarriage. Now you know exactly after what week the baby is considered full-term.

Starting from the 37th week, the whole family should be prepared for the fact that the baby could be born at any moment. The remaining time will not play a role in the development of the baby, but he will be able to grow a little and accumulate subcutaneous fat, which is important for maintaining heat in a small body.

At this time, some pregnant women are very balanced, while others, on the contrary, feel increasing anxiety before the upcoming birth.

The cervix begins to slowly expand; as soon as it is ready, the mucous plug, which until now has protected the uterus from infections, will come away. This usually happens a few hours or days before birth.

Symptoms of approaching labor

Even knowing from what moment the baby is considered full-term, a woman is sometimes a little lost when she feels the harbingers of labor. Moreover, the better you imagine exactly what they should be and how to behave when they appear, the less time there will be for panic.

However, let’s make one more digression; it concerns packing things for the maternity hospital. Knowing at what stage a pregnancy is considered full-term, you need to start preparing in advance.

By the 37th week of pregnancy, you need to buy a discharge kit, diapers and baby vests for the maternity hospital, collect a bag of personal belongings and put a separate discharge kit for yourself.

Believe me, this is much better than trying to find a robe or other toiletries in the closet as contractions progress.

During this period, most women begin to experience insomnia. A big belly and the baby’s active life do not contribute to the mother’s sound sleep. However, it won't be long until he appears, so try to enjoy these last moments.

Frequent urination may bother you, which can also be easily explained by the fact that a large fetus puts pressure on the internal organs. It is during this period that leg cramps often first appear. Be sure to monitor your vaginal discharge. Usually in the last week they become a little more abundant and lighter.

And if you notice a significant amount of transparent mucus on your underwear, then labor is very close.

Indirect signs

It must be said that they are not found in all women, in addition, some note only some of them. However, in any case, you have no reason to worry.

You already know which baby is considered full-term; the 37th week has passed, which means that whenever labor begins, he will be born completely ready for it.

Remember this every day, so that sudden labor activity is not a reason for panic, but, on the contrary, a long-awaited event.

Diarrhea can warn you that labor is approaching. This is a normal physiological reaction that allows a woman in labor to cleanse her intestines. If this does not happen, then it is recommended to clean it yourself using an enema.

It is no longer mandatory to do it in the hospital, but before calling an ambulance, you can easily do it yourself. Very often, just before giving birth, women experience a burst of activity. Suddenly you want to clean the windows and wash the curtains, wash the whole house right down to the entrance.

It is our instincts that tell us that we need to prepare a nest in which a baby will soon appear.

Contractions and the onset of labor

You have already experienced them before, but if previously these were training contractions that did not last long and went away if you stood up and moved a little, now the situation is changing. Often the mucus plug comes off first, then your water breaks, and finally contractions begin. It also happens the other way around: the first symptoms are contractions. In this case, the main thing is not to panic.

Double-check the bag you take to the hospital. Place your passport and exchange card nearby. Consider breathing exercises that will help relieve pain during labor and childbirth. You shouldn’t go to bed right away, walk around the house, you can even go outside and get some air. This will only intensify real contractions, and you will be sure that it is time to call an ambulance.

Memo for the expectant mother

The delivery room is not a place for panic, so even during pregnancy, mentally scroll through the whole picture of the events taking place several times in your head. Again, ask your doctor the question from what week is the pregnancy considered full-term. He will tell you that the lower limit of normal is 37-38 weeks.

This means that from about this time you need to prepare yourself mentally. Close your eyes and imagine that contractions are starting, at the same time remember the breathing exercises during contractions, how you calmly get ready, go to the hospital and give birth to a healthy baby.

This attitude will greatly help you overcome anxiety.

Source: https://FB.ru/article/247410/s-kakoy-nedeli-rebenok-schitaetsya-donoshennyim-priznaki-sroki-i-rekomendatsii

Causes and consequences of deviations from the norm in pregnancy duration

Although deviations from the obstetric term up or down by no more than 1–2 weeks are normal, a large difference can lead to complications during childbirth and the postpartum period. Premature birth is considered to occur between 22 and 37 weeks of pregnancy, and if the baby weighs more than 500 grams. Late birth is one that occurs at 41–42 weeks of gestation.

Table: causes and consequences of premature or post-term pregnancy

When 2 years ago my son and I were referred to a neurologist with suspected attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the doctor immediately assumed that the little one was born prematurely. Having heard an affirmative answer, he said that ADHD is more common in premature babies, and sometimes without making itself felt for many years. The trigger can be a stressful situation, as in our case. Living in a war zone, his six-year-old son witnessed a Smerch missile hit the ground near their kindergarten. Fortunately, we noticed the alarming symptoms in time and sought medical help. It was possible to avoid strong medications, which are often prescribed to children with ADHD. If in the first grade there were frequent complaints about his behavior, then in the second the number of comments noticeably decreased. So, if your children were born prematurely, be more attentive to them not only in the first 3 years, but also after this age.

How many days until birth from the day of conception

Everyone knows that a normal pregnancy lasts 9 months. But why then is there a widespread opinion that a normal pregnancy should last 40 weeks, if 9 months is only 36. This is due to such a concept as the “golden obstetric standard”. It is the interval between 36 weeks and 40 weeks that is considered optimal for childbirth. Even if you know the exact time of ovulation, it is impossible to accurately predict the day of birth.

Why might problems arise? A delay in birth is primarily due to hormonal imbalances. The problem may be poor metabolism or heredity. Often the period increases due to the woman’s psychological unpreparedness for childbirth. So it is impossible to say exactly how long until birth. You just need to be constantly monitored by a specialist and not worry about it.