What? When Did I Get Pregnant?

Counting pregnancy generally seems complicated to most women. How can you be 4 to 6 weeks along before you even know you are pregnant? And every one says pregnancy lasts for 9 months but 40 weeks equals 10 months.I know this is confusing especially the 40 weeks equaling 9 months thing. Can't these people count? In my opinion, you are pregnant for 10 months or at least nine and a half. However, that is just my opinion.

I am going to try to make this pregnancy timing make sense.

The First Two Weeks of Pregnancy

During the first two weeks of pregnancy you are not actually pregnant. I know, I was shocked too! Your first day of pregnancy is actually the first day of your period. If you have a normal 28 day cycle you should ovulate on day fourteen, which would mark your fourteenth day of pregnancy. This is why your doctor will ask you when was the first day of your last period.However, many women do not have 28 day cycles which means that all of us don't ovulate on day fourteen. This will make your doctor's estimates a bit off.

The First Trimester

It is advised that you wait until your missed period to test for pregnancy. If you choose not to wait, it could result in a false negative.

A home pregnancy test detects the amount of HCG, a pregnancy hormone, in your urine.  It takes a few days after ovulation for this hormone to be concentrated. However, there are more sensitive tests on the market.

There are some discrepancies as to the timing of each trimester. Your first trimester ends between weeks 12 and 14. After this time most women experience less morning sickness and miscarriage is less likely.

The Second Trimester

For many women, the second trimester is a breeze. It is the extra energy period. This part of pregnancy lasts until  27 or 28 weeks.

The Third Trimester

The third trimester lasts until the delivery. You notice, I didn't say it lasts until 40 weeks. You are considered full term when you reach 37 weeks.

Many doctors consider you overdue when you are 40 weeks and 1 day pregnant. They may suggest inducing labor if things don't hurry along. However, some women will can carry their children for 42 or 43 weeks.

I don't know of any doctors that will allow this but if you have a midwife; they are more patent.

The medical establishment does not refer to pregnancy in terms of months but by weeks. Because each month may not have the same amount of weeks. However, when you are talking to family and friends they will ask you in terms of months. Normally I just make a monthly estimate to satisfy their curiosity.

Later I will discuss my thought on the myth of the due date.

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