why do people say 16 weeks is 4 months preg in western countries ?

Question

i am from japan. i am 16 weeks pregnant now and i was told i am 5 months preg by my doctor.

even on every website says 16 to 19 weeks is 5 months pregnant. http://baby.goo.ne.jp/member/ninshin/choonpa/16.html

is it different to count pregnant months in each country ?

i go and take a ultrasound twice a month.
i already saw 3d as well. it was so cool !!
i really like my hospital.
http://www2.akitanet.co.jp/namiki/equipment/index.html

yes i take a ultrasound twice a month.
its easier to know if the baby has any desease.

i know people can go take a ultrasound about 3 times in england,
i think its cause people can do it fee.
the gorvenment doesnt want to use lots of money for it.

we have to pay everytime for the ultrasound here in japan.
so we can do twice a month.
if it was bad for baby's health, i dont think doctor wouldnt let me do it.

but fortunatelly i am lucky i got some tickets i can do ultrasound free cause i am in countryside.
think if i was in tokyo, i couldnt get that ticket.

Answer 1

Because we in america cannot do ANYTHING the right way. We have to come up with our own way to do everything. I'm not sure of this but in Japan don't they use a 28 day monthly calander? In the US our calander is very screwy some months have 30 days others have 31 and February generally has 28. Sounds fun doesn't it?

Answer 2

Probably because every 4 weeks is considered to be 1 month. At 16 weeks, you are at the end of your 4th month but it can also be considered entering your 5th month if you look at 0-4 =1, 5-8=2. Same place in gestational time, just different perspectives on calculating.

Congratulations!

Answer 3

Technically you are starting your 5Th month at 16 weeks. But still considered 4 months until 20 weeks. You really get an ultrasound X2 a month? Isn't that dangerous for the baby? I know that I was only allowed 2 maybe 3 if the Dr. thought something was wrong, throughout out my whole pregnancy.

Answer 4

You are IN your fifth month, but it isn't completed yet, so you wouldn't be considered five months pregnant, just 4 months and some change, lol.

Here's another way to look at it. Say your birthday is on March 30th and you'll be 30 years old. On March 10th, would you tell people you're 29 or 30? Its just different ways of saying the same thing. You're almost 30, but not quite. Did that make sense? Best of luck

Answer 5

I guess people in western countries divide the number of weeks (16) by 4 (average number of weeks in a month). For instance, Jan 8 to April 30 is 16 weeks. Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr make 4 months.

Answer 6

i might think of that being pregnant months should not be any distinctive than a customary month. a million month is comparable to 4 a million/2 weeks, 2 months = 9 weeks, 3 mos = 13 a million/2 weeks, 4 mos. = 18 weeks, etc.

Answer 7

Divide 16 weeks by 4 weeks in a month and you get 4 months.

Answer 8

Not sure about in each country I just look at it as 4 weeks per month 4x4=16 so if your past the 16 week mark you are officially in the 5th month of pregnancy.

Answer 9

because there are 4 weeks in a standard month. 16 weeks equals 4 months. the trimesters are divided differently, but ultimately you are pregnant for 10 months instead of the 9 that everyone thinks.

Answer 10

16 - 19 IS 5 months
but when you hit 16 weeks, you are a full four months beginning the 5th month