Are you trying to figure out how far along you are, but just aren't sure when you got pregnant? It can be confusing to figure out. Some women aren't sure the exact day they had sex and many women don't know when they ovulated, or even when their last period was.
Yet, knowing how far along you are is important when considering pregnancy options and ensuring you receive appropriate medical care no matter what you decide.
CALCULATING CONCEPTION
For many women, ovulation (the release of a ripe egg from the ovary) occurs 12 to 14 days after the first day of their last period. It is during the ovulation period when conception occurs. However, ovulation can be affected by different factors:
Irregular menstrual cycle: If your period does not come every month or if the number of days in your cycle changes month to month you may ovulate at different times or inconsistently.
Diagnosis of PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), Endocrine disorders or Endometriosis can affect ovulation.
Other factors that can change when ovulation occurs include:
high levels of physical or emotional stress
a sudden increase in weight
drastic loss of weight and hormonal birth control
Because determining when you conceived can be challenging, an ultrasound is the best way to determine how far along you are in your pregnancy.
IMPORTANCE OF ULTRASOUNDS
Ultrasounds can predict the gestational age of a pregnancy within a 5-7 day window by measuring the fetus. This is typically done as early as five to six weeks after the last menstrual period (LMP). It is important to note that pregnancy dating is figured out by the start of the LMP, not the conception date, which can differ by approximately two weeks. (For example, if your LMP was October 1, you wouldn’t be fertile until around Oct. 13. If you got pregnant and had an ultrasound on November 13, your pregnancy would be counted as 6 weeks along, not 4 weeks.)
Ultrasounds not only determine how far along you are, but they can also verify if the pregnancy is developing and if it is located within the uterus. Knowing all of this information is helpful in making an informed pregnancy decision, no matter what options you are considering, but especially if you are considering taking the abortion pill.
We Are Here For You
We know that this can all be overwhelming. That is why we’re here for you. If you are pregnant, or think you might be pregnant, schedule an appointment with us today to learn about your pregnancy and the options you have. All of our services are completely free and confidential because your health and privacy matters to us.
Call 712-224-2000 or text 712-631-5577.
Disclaimer: The sources cited for this blog are found to be reliable, however, Her Health Women’s Center can not endorse or oppose the entire content of the websites listed. The content of this blog is meant to be used for informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical care.
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