Gestational Age Calculator from EDD
Calculation Results:
Enter your Estimated Due Date and click 'Calculate' to see the current gestational age.
Calculation Results:
"; resultHTML += "Current Gestational Age: " + gestationalAgeOutput + ""; resultHTML += "Days Remaining Until EDD: " + daysRemainingOutput + ""; document.getElementById("result").innerHTML = resultHTML; }Understanding Your Gestational Age from Estimated Due Date (EDD)
The Estimated Due Date (EDD) is a crucial milestone in any pregnancy journey, providing an approximate date when your baby is expected to arrive. While it's an estimate, it serves as a vital reference point for monitoring the baby's development and planning for delivery.
What is Gestational Age?
Gestational age refers to how far along a pregnancy is. It's typically measured in weeks and days, starting from the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP). A full-term pregnancy is considered to be 40 weeks (280 days) from the LMP.
How is EDD Determined?
Your Estimated Due Date is most commonly determined in a few ways:
- Last Menstrual Period (LMP): The most traditional method, where 40 weeks are added to the first day of your last menstrual period.
- Early Ultrasound: Often considered the most accurate method, especially if there's uncertainty about the LMP. An ultrasound measures the baby's size to estimate gestational age, which then helps calculate the EDD.
- Conception Date: If known (e.g., through IVF), 266 days (38 weeks) are added to the date of conception.
Why is Knowing Your Gestational Age Important?
Knowing your current gestational age is essential for several reasons:
- Monitoring Fetal Development: Healthcare providers use gestational age to track the baby's growth, organ development, and overall health against expected milestones.
- Scheduling Tests and Screenings: Many prenatal tests, such as genetic screenings, glucose tolerance tests, and anatomy scans, are time-sensitive and must be performed within specific gestational age windows.
- Planning for Delivery: As you approach your EDD, gestational age helps determine if the baby is full-term, late-term, or post-term, influencing decisions about induction or other interventions.
- Personal Preparation: It helps expectant parents mentally and practically prepare for the baby's arrival, from setting up the nursery to attending childbirth classes.
How This Calculator Works
This Gestational Age Calculator works by taking your Estimated Due Date (EDD) and comparing it to today's date. Since an EDD is typically set at 40 weeks of gestation, the calculator works backward from your EDD to determine how many days have passed since the theoretical start of your 40-week pregnancy cycle. It then converts these days into weeks and days to give you your current gestational age.
For example, if your EDD is 100 days from now, the calculator determines that you are 280 – 100 = 180 days into your pregnancy. This translates to 25 weeks and 5 days of gestation.
Important Note:
This calculator provides an estimate based on the information you provide. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for accurate gestational age determination, medical guidance, and personalized care throughout your pregnancy.