What is the Difference Between Gestational Age And Fetal Age?
The fetal age is actually two weeks behind gestational age. This happens during ovulation. The measurement of gestational age takes place from the first day of the last menstrual period. Whereas fetal age is calculated or measured from the date of conception. In this article we are going to tell you the difference between Gestational Age And Fetal Age.
Gestational age and pregnancy
Gestational age is something which comes during pregnancy. This is the time between conception and birth. The term applies to mammals and it is more applicable. During gestation, a fetus grows and develops in the womb. The gestation period stays till how long the woman is pregnant. Babies are mostly born between 38 and 42 weeks of gestation. And if suppose any baby is born before 37th week, then the baby is premature. And so after 42 weeks is postmature.
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Humans generally does not know the actual date of conception. So gestational age measures how far the pregnancy is. The question which arises where the baby is in the development stage, whether the fingers and toes have formed or not, is completely tied to gestational age. The last period which happens counts as the first step in pregnancy. Even if the woman is not pregnant, the period comes as a signal that the boy is preparing for pregnancy.
Gestational age vs Fetal age
Fetal growth does not actually start before conception. It begins after that when sperm fertilizes an egg. A gestational age can be determined by the doctor using ultrasound or after delivery process. The doctor measures the head of the baby and the mother’s abdomen during ultrasound to determine gestational age. Gestational age has two parts : Fetal and Embryonic.
The fetal period is from 10th week to birth. The embryonic period is the 5th week of pregnancy which implants in the uterus.
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Fetal age begins from conception and gestational age is from the first day to the last menstrual day. It is actually impossible to understand when conception happens in humans.
Calculation of due date
The accurate way to calculate a due date is by using an ultrasound in the first trimester. The doctor will figure out certain measurements. The due date can be estimated in the following methods as well
- Note down the day the last period happened
- Along with this day add seven more days.
- Counting back three months.
- Add one more year
The day which ends up the calculation is the due date. Based on calendar calculations, it is assumed that the pregnant person has a regular 28 day cycle. The fetal untrasounds provide more information to inform about the time of gestational age. Ultrasound measures top to bottom from the head of the baby to his buttocks. In the later stage, the ultrasound measures the baby’s abdomen, head and femur which confirms the gestational age and fetal growth. Gestational age is important because it guides parental care. This assess the fetal growth and evaluate prenatal test and screenings.
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Conclusion
Thus, it can be concluded that gestational age is very important as it helps doctors and midwife provide best prenatal care. This evaluates the baby’s growth. I hope this article is sufficient enough to clarify the difference between Gestational Age And Fetal Age.