You are a young mother and expecting your first baby which is a very anxious time for you. How far along am I in my pregnancy? That is the question that most expectant mothers raise. There are two ways that one can calculate how far along in the pregnancy you might be. The American System is used by most doctors but the Ovulation System works just as well.

How far along am I in my pregnancy? In the American System if you are 7 weeks pregnant, you conceived about 5 weeks ago. The differences in the method of calculating how far along you are average out to be almost the same.

Pregnancy is dated from the first day of the menstrual period. This is a hold over from the past when little was known about cycles. Confusion is not uncommon in dating a pregnancy. Now the question still remains how far along am I in my pregnancy? There are two ways to calculate how far along you might be in your pregnancy. The first way is the American System. In the American system the first trimester ends after week twelve. The second trimester ends after the twenty-sixth week. The due date then is the fortieth week. This is a common method in this country to determine how far along you are in your pregnancy.

The other manner of figuring our where you are in your pregnancy and your due date is called the Ovulation System.

The above chart makes a comparison for you so that you are better able to understand how to calculate. The question again presents itself, how far along am I in my pregnancy? The numerous tests you can take and different ways to calculate may still have you confused.

The Ovulation System which is used in many other countries and often in the United States seems to be the most accurate way of getting an exact measure of how far along you are in your pregnancy. In the Ovulation System conception is considered week 0. The positive pregnancy test can be measured by week 2. The end of the first trimester is weeks 10-11. The end of the second trimester is week twenty-four. The due date is normally figured at week thirty-eight. In comparison to the American System there is a two week difference.

How far along am I in my pregnancy? The question still remains the answer depends on what system the doctor uses in his calculations. Some ladies like to count backward to figure out when they conceived, if the American System is used and you are seven weeks pregnant, you conceived five weeks ago. There are other things to consider as well that might help you to determine when you think your pregnancy began. You can of course take the home pregnancy test that helps you to know for sure you are pregnant. When you’re trying as a couple to get pregnant it is not uncommon for a woman to take the home pregnancy test every month. This then gives you a better idea of when you might have conceived.

A missed period is another method of knowing that you are pregnant. The calendar tracking can help you just as well. It is a good thing to track on your calendar the last day of your period and know when you are ovulating. You and your doctor can work out a plan together that will help you and your husband plan a pregnancy. One last time you may ask, How far along am I in my pregnancy?

The use of the above methods, well planned relationship, and testing methods are all ways that can help you understand approximately how far along in your pregnancy you are. The Ultimate end when the baby comes is normally up to the baby when it decides to come.