Determining the duration of gestation, expressed in weeks, is a fundamental aspect of prenatal care. This calculation provides a timeline for fetal development and helps healthcare providers monitor the pregnancy’s progress. For example, understanding the gestational age allows for the scheduling of appropriate screenings, assessments, and delivery planning.
Accurate gestational age assessment offers several key advantages. It allows for more precise predictions of the estimated due date, contributing to better preparedness. Historically, various methods were employed to ascertain this timeframe, ranging from reliance on the last menstrual period to physical examinations. Contemporary approaches, including ultrasound, offer increased accuracy.
