How do you count?

[ibex67]

I basically know within 3 days when I concieved. So I don't know whether to think of myself as 16 weeks [since conception] or 18 weeks [since "last normal menstrual period"] How do you count? What is the standard?

[KC in KS]

It works for most everyday discussions. Though you're significantly off of the usual two-week difference, you might make a mental adjustment.

[3_angels]

My OB counts from first day of lmp.

[veganf]

I count by LMP like everyone else usually does, though in the beginning I agree it seems rather silly, since I'm pretty sure I know when I conceived.

- Krista

[JenMidwife]

This is my fave "cheat-sheet" website (it uses LMP) http://health.discovery.com/tools/calculators/pregnancy/pregnancy.html

[eleven]

I have the hardest time keeping track. My midwife moved my edd back due to my long cycles and I can never remember what week I am anymore. :nut I think I'm going to stick with months this time around.

[peilover010202]

well, my dr goes by lmp and when I reference how far along I am, I do the same. But, actually I ovulate late and I know within a 2-3 day time frame when I actually conceived. So, my edd is 8/9/06, but actually it's more like 8/13/06 when you take into account my late ovulation. But, try to explain that to a dr! :lol

[jenmk]

Docs and midwives will go by lmp . . . that's just the way they do it. Don't know why. Doesn't make sense to me to add on 2 extra weeks . . . just ends up confusing people. When you talk to your doc or MW, go by lmp. I've started just stating months instead of weeks when talking to anyone else.

I know when I ovulated 'cause I was charting, and it was about 3 weeks into my cycle when it happened. When I went in for my 1st appointment, I made up the date for lmp so it would jive with my o date! Otherwise they'd all think I was due about a week earlier than I am.

[ibex67]

When I went in for my 1st appointment, I made up the date for lmp so it would jive with my o date! Otherwise they'd all think I was due about a week earlier than I am.

I did that too ... mostly cause I knew when I conceived but had no recollection of my last period. So my dates basically synch with the midwife's. It's just confusing when talking to others-- so I thought I would clarify what folks here were doing.

It's especially confusing to me this week because I think I am feeling a ton of movement -- which seems early for 16 weeks -- but normalish for 18 weeks.

[meganmarie]

Just a thought: As some have mentioned, if you know you have a long cycle, and you ovulated late, your "official" due date could be earlier than your actual. Who cares? Well, two reasons.

The first - minor - issue is that you may start going crazy as soon as you get close to or past your due date, (especially as people keep asking if you are still pg!) so it helps mentally to always go by the later date!

The second, more dangerous issue is if you have an OB who is a little more intervention-minded and cautious. They may start encouraging an induction if you are measuring large for the week you are supposedly in, or if you haven't gone into labor by your official date, or whatever blah blah blah. Personally, I would avoid an induction if at all possible, since they involve IV's, continuous monitoring, being in the hospital during the entire labor, an increased need for epidural (since pitocin contractions can be more intense) and likelihood of c-section (if the induction doesn't progress within a certain time). Correcting the date so it reflects later conception buys you extra time.

I asked my midwife to adjust my due date this time because I knew (from my fertility monitoring) that I ovulated a week late (Day 22!) She had to do some calculating but was very nice about it and put the new date in my chart. You might have to work a little harder to get an OB to do the same... but could be worth it.

[jenmk]

Just a thought: As some have mentioned, if you know you have a long cycle, and you ovulated late, your "official" due date could be earlier than your actual. Who cares? Well, two reasons.

The first - minor - issue is that you may start going crazy as soon as you get close to or past your due date, (especially as people keep asking if you are still pg!) so it helps mentally to always go by the later date!

The second, more dangerous issue is if you have an OB who is a little more intervention-minded and cautious. They may start encouraging an induction if you are measuring large for the week you are supposedly in, or if you haven't gone into labor by your official date, or whatever blah blah blah. Personally, I would avoid an induction if at all possible, since they involve IV's, continuous monitoring, being in the hospital during the entire labor, an increased need for epidural (since pitocin contractions can be more intense) and likelihood of c-section (if the induction doesn't progress within a certain time). Correcting the date so it reflects later conception buys you extra time.



That's exactly why I gave a false lmp date. I didn't want anyone suggesting I be induced if I'm at 42 weeks based on my lmp, when in reality I'm only 41 weeks. I've had friends induced at 42 weeks, and it really makes me wonder whether they were really at 42.

If you have no clue when you ovulated, going by lmp makes sense because it gives a general idea of when baby is due. But no doc ever asks if I know when I ovulated. They just ask for lmp. I adjusted dates for the last pg, too. Never even gave the doc a chance to "correct" my due date.

I second the "don't be induced if at all possible" thought. I've done it twice (for medical reasons, not for due date issues) and it's terrible. This time I don't have to be induced! Yay!

[mimi!]

Ok, so how do you count months? If you're 18 weeks is that 5 months? Do you go by the calandar or the lunar calendar?:o

[ibex67]

Ok, so how do you count months? If you're 18 weeks is that 5 months? Do you go by the calandar or the lunar calendar?:o

I never really bother with months ... but if I was going to I would just divide my weeks by 4. So I am 18 weeks and I say 4.5 months.

This conversation in general has been helpful and reassuring to me... I am not sure why but I am happier thinking of myself as 18 weeks rather than 16 even though it is so ridiculous to count the two weeks preconception...

[amybw]

I have been going by the u/s dating.
I went in Dec 22 and they calculated i was right on 6 weeks.
My LMP was Nov 4th which would have been 6 weeks 6 days .....so by the 6 weeks on Dec 22 u/s dating, i am 18 weeks this thursday.

I am pretty sure i know when we DTD ( which was only once or twice in november :lol) so I can get a pretty good conception date within a few days.

I have been saying that I think their dates are too early and i tell my OB that too. If their 6 weeks definition includes the no conception yet extra 2 weeks meaning the baby was actually only 4 weeks from conception then that is right by my thoughts. If they are saying it was 6 weeks from conception, that is weong cuz i was still on my period and hadnt DTD yet! :lol

This is so confusing!
Thanks for bringing it up though, cuz it has been on my mind too!

:)
Amy

PS: For months i usually go backwards form my due date. or divide my weeks by 4.5.
I am due Aug 17th so March 17th I would say i am 4 mths but apparently i am different than others. I ran into someone i know and she said she was 4 mths pregnant and due early september - uhm, okay... i am 4 mths almost and due Aug 17th. Whatever.....

[peilover010202]

Just a thought: As some have mentioned, if you know you have a long cycle, and you ovulated late, your "official" due date could be earlier than your actual. Who cares? Well, two reasons.

The first - minor - issue is that you may start going crazy as soon as you get close to or past your due date, (especially as people keep asking if you are still pg!) so it helps mentally to always go by the later date!

The second, more dangerous issue is if you have an OB who is a little more intervention-minded and cautious. They may start encouraging an induction if you are measuring large for the week you are supposedly in, or if you haven't gone into labor by your official date, or whatever blah blah blah. Personally, I would avoid an induction if at all possible, since they involve IV's, continuous monitoring, being in the hospital during the entire labor, an increased need for epidural (since pitocin contractions can be more intense) and likelihood of c-section (if the induction doesn't progress within a certain time). Correcting the date so it reflects later conception buys you extra time.

I asked my midwife to adjust my due date this time because I knew (from my fertility monitoring) that I ovulated a week late (Day 22!) She had to do some calculating but was very nice about it and put the new date in my chart. You might have to work a little harder to get an OB to do the same... but could be worth it.

Well, actually with a late ovulation - then you would measure smaller than what their dates say. And, I know my dr, we've discussed at length the fact that I used a fertility monitor, etc. And, when the time gets closer - I know that I can give him all the info and he'll give me that extra week if need be.

And, mentally, I go by the later date just like I did last time. Ds came at 38w6d, which was the first edd they gave me without knowing my late ovulation. The send edd, based on ovulation, was 9/4 and that's what edd I gave everyone and the "one" I was going by too.

Now, I'm not saying this is the best way to approach it. It just works for me since I know my dr on a more personal level.

[the_lissa]

When I go by months, I count from the month I conceived- November. March is four months later, so I say I am four months pregnant.

My midwife is great. I told her I wasn't charting, but I always used to ovulate on day 18, so we have a due date range of Aug 8-12th, but she sin't about induction anyways.

[eightyferrettoes]

I can NOT seem to keep track of things this time. Last pregnancy, I could tell you to the day how far along I was. :lol

Went to an appointment this morning, the assistant asked me what week I was in, and I was like, "14 weeks? I think?"

She got out the wheel, put in my EDD, and said, "16 weeks and 5 days."

Me: "oops."

But if I were keeping track, I'd use the LMP, just out of convention.