How Do I Know How Many Weeks Pregnant I Am?

Seeing that positive pregnancy test when you weren’t intending to become pregnant can make it feel like your life has come to a standstill. What now?

Determining how far along you are can be helpful when determining what steps to take toward dealing with your unplanned pregnancy.

If you find yourself in this situation, you're not alone. Many women have faced similar challenges and turned to us for support. When you fill out our form or call 1-800-ADOPTION, we can walk you through your options, provide guidance or be someone to talk to.

How Do I Know How Many Weeks Pregnant I Am?

Research shows that most women don’t know they’re pregnant until they’re almost six weeks along, and 23% of women realize it even later. If you’re dealing with an unplanned pregnancy, you might not know how far along you are.

To calculate how many weeks pregnant you are, take the number of days since the first day of your last period and divide it by seven. For example, let’s say your last period was on March 1. If you discovered you were pregnant on April 12, then 42 days have passed. Divide 42 by seven, and you’ll learn that you are six weeks along.

Determine Your Due Date

Adding 280 days from the start of your last period will give you an estimate of your due date. Using the example above, if the date of the first day of your last period was March 1, adding 280 days to that would place your due date around December 6.

Many people think that pregnancy starts when you conceive, but it’s actually determined by your menstrual cycle. Online due date calculators like What to Expect can handle the math for you. Just input the day your last period started and your cycle length to calculate how many weeks pregnant you are.

How Far Along Am I When I Get a Positive Test?

Pregnancy tests detect human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced by the placenta. Generally, a test can detect this hormone in urine or blood 10 to 14 days after conception. If you have a positive pregnancy test, you are likely at least three to four weeks pregnant.

While these tests can confirm whether you are pregnant, but they cannot tell you exactly how far along you are. To calculate that, you need to track how much time has passed since the start of your most recent period.

Will a Doctor Know How Far Along I Am?

Yes, healthcare professionals can tell how many weeks pregnant you are through an ultrasound. During your first visit, an OB-GYN will do an ultrasound to confirm you’re pregnant and check the fetus’s growth. They will be able to tell you how many weeks you’ve been pregnant and provide you with an estimated due date.

It’s important to continue visiting your doctor throughout your pregnancy to ensure you’re healthy. Unaddressed complications can put both you and the baby at unnecessary risk.

How to Count Pregnancy Weeks [How Long Will I Be Pregnant For?]

The average pregnancy lasts for 280 days. The timeline of pregnancy is typically divided into three trimesters that each last 12 to 14 weeks, adding up to 40 weeks of pregnancy. Your doctor will use these stages to gauge your health and the development of the fetus.

Many women feel different depending on what trimester they’re in. The first trimester is often considered the hardest because of all the physical and mental changes women undergo. However, your experience may not look the same because every pregnancy is unique.

What Are My Unplanned Pregnancy Options?

If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy in Colorado, you have three options:

• Adoption. Adoption involves carrying the pregnancy to term and then placing the baby with adoptive parents you choose. To get started, you will need to work with an adoption agency like American Adoptions of Colorado.

• Abortion. You can choose to medically terminate the pregnancy. This option involves visiting a healthcare provider to discuss your situation and the available procedures.

• Parenting. Choosing to parent means preparing for the lifelong responsibility of raising a child. You will need to consider your readiness to become a parent, financial stability and support system.

Once you calculate how many weeks pregnant you are, you can make more informed decisions about your next steps. You can contact us online or at 1-800-ADOPTION for free, unbiased pregnancy options counseling.

Disclaimer
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