I asked about 18 weeks being the beginning of the fifth month! My book, "What to Expect When You're Expecting," says the fifth month consists of weeks 18-23. Why are some months 4wks others are 5wks, according to this book? Does everyone go by different ways of counting the weeks, months.....??
2006-07-14 13:46:28 · 14 answers · asked by Melissa t 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
its called lunar months goes buy the moon.
2006-07-14 14:16:00 · answer #1 · answered by Angel 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have this book too. It's been around for years.
The last time you asked this question, it appeared that you were asking if you were five months pregnant.
The answer is still NO - you're not 5 months pregnant. 18 weeks pregnant is the BEGINNING of the 5th month of pregnancy. Just like May 1st is the beginning of the 5th month of the year.
Again, the beginning of your first month of pregnancy is the day that you conceive. Just like January 1st is the beginning of the first month of the year.
You are not 5 months pregnant. You are in your 5th month of pregancy.
What everyone's point is - is not to worry so much about how many months you are pregnant - because 40 weeks is actually 10 months of pregnancy.
The whole point is, concentrate on having a healthy baby. And concentrate on the changes of each week. How many weeks you are is way more important, as baby does sooooo much during each week.
2006-07-14 14:11:50 · answer #2 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason this is, is because pregnancy technically begins on the first day of your last period. So for example..let's say a woman's last period was Feb 1st. She would most likely ovulate 2 weeks later on Feb 15th. This is when conception would occur, and by then, according to medical standards, she would already be 2 weeks pregnant. Most women are 4 to 5 weeks pregnant before they can get a postive pregnancy test. It's confusing for sure, but that's the method most doctors still use. So that's why different books will tell you different things. Some start pregnancy at the day your last period started, while others start pregnancy at conception. Hope that helped and I didn't confuse you too much LOL
2006-07-14 14:08:09 · answer #3 · answered by seraphikah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My midwife told me that it was traditionally believed that women carried a baby for 40 weeks past conception, but it was later discovered that it's more like 38. The medical community still goes by the 40 week system, but they compensate by basically adding two weeks onto wherever you are! Kind of confusing. That's why when I was technically 12 weeks from the day of conception, I was told I was actually "14 weeks" pregnant.
I wouldn't worry about what month you're in because it's really the weeks that matter as far as doctors and midwives are concerned. They use that system to track growth, development and when certain tests are given.
Hope this helps!
2006-07-14 13:54:21 · answer #4 · answered by Veritas 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just say 18 divided by four is four months and two weeks. My doctor explained it like that.
BTW, I HATED that book, "What to Expect When You're Expecting", I found that the "The Everything Pregnancy Book: What Every Woman Needs to Know Month-By-Month to Ensure a Worry-Free Pregnancy" was MUCH MORE HELPFUL! That one goes month to month, has special sections for dads in every month.
That book you are reading taught me NOTHING new, I use to want to be an OB at one time and I use to read every book possible, when my doctor suggested that one and I baught it, I kicked myself. It was filled with commonly known facts that I have already been reading about for the last 12 years (I wanted to be an OB since I was 7).
The book I suggests has a wonderful structure to it, easier to read, and encourages dad to get in on it (even my fiance who has two older kids of his own, learned new things, like a baby girl may have a mini period after birth). I HIGHLY recommend "The Everything Pregnancy Book: What Every Woman Needs to Know Month-By-Month to Ensure a Worry-Free Pregnancy" because I found it to be more reassurign then my doctor!
2006-07-14 13:52:07 · answer #5 · answered by Crazy Mama 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some months have five weeks depending on how the month starts, but if your 18 weeks then your 2 weeks away from being 5 months.
2006-07-14 13:55:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the crazy part of being pregnant is everybody has a different idea of how pregnant you are. my original due date was aug 21 and the ultrasound said a due date of aug 12. so on aug 12 my doctor induced me now was i 40 weeks or not?? noone will ever know......i read "what to expect" and i absolutely loved it but you will find out that even in the womb all babies are different!! so just count your blessing and pray for a full term pregnancy which is 40 weeks!! good luck and enjoy every minute of it it is the best experience!!!
2006-07-14 14:50:13 · answer #7 · answered by Lori C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm 18 weeks too.. I have been wondering the same thing. I just go by the weeks and it all evens out so we are like 4 1/2 mths.
Congrats and good luck!
2006-07-14 14:04:07 · answer #8 · answered by inmybiz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are 4 and a half months you are 5 months at 20 weeks
2006-07-14 14:35:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
evryone is different but either way you still, at least most women deliver the 40 th week which is 10 months. get the pregnancy week by week book by OBGYN Glade B Curtis.
It is a life saver. I am 38 weeks now and it has been my bible throughout this pregnancy
2006-07-14 14:03:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
On the calendar....a normal, regular every day calendar, some months have 5 weeks. Check it out. Has nothing to do with your pregnancy.
Your pregnancy is technically counted in weeks & you'll have to compare that to how many months that works out to be on average.
2006-07-14 13:53:11 · answer #11 · answered by Bluealt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋