Knowing the exact gestational age is important for terminating a pregnancy because it helps the doctor choose the safest and most appropriate method. If you can’t remember when your last menstrual period was, there are still ways to check the gestational age
1. Use ultrasound method
- Ultrasound is the most accurate method for calculating gestational age
- It can be done at a hospital or clinic that offers pregnancy check-ups
- The doctor will use the size of the gestational sac or the crown-rump length (CRL) to calculate the gestational age
2. Use the method of counting back from body symptoms
If you can’t remember the first day of your last menstrual period, you can use body signals to roughly calculate the gestational age such as
- When did morning sickness start It generally starts around week 5-6 of pregnancy
- Do you feel that the uterus has grown The uterus will start to expand and can be detected by a doctor from week 12 onwards
- Changes in breasts and nipples which can start from week 4 onwards
Although this method may not provide results as accurate as an ultrasound, it can help the doctor make an initial assessment of the gestational age
3. Use a pregnancy test that measures hCG hormone levels
- Blood tests to measure hCG hormone levels can be used to assess gestational age
- However, hCG levels can vary between individuals, so it should be used in conjunction with other methods such as ultrasound
4. What to do next
- If you want to terminate the pregnancy you should see a doctor for an ultrasound first to ensure that you choose the safest and most appropriate method
- If you are unsure about the gestational age you should not self-medicate without a doctor’s advice
5. For further consultation, contact us here
RSA Online: https://abortion.rsathai.org
Line Official: @rsathai, Inbox Facebook Page: rsathai
Online consultation service Monday – Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Even if you can’t remember when your last menstrual period was, you can still check the gestational age. You should see a doctor for proper advice