Ask A NurseCategory: PregnancyHow long is a pregnancy?
Anonymous asked 5 years ago

How long is a pregnancy?

1 Answers
Elika Roohi Staff answered 5 years ago

A full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks. So, that means you’re actually pregnant for 10 months, not 9 months. Your healthcare provider will calculate your due date from the first day of your last menstrual period, not the date of conception. Completing all 40 weeks of your pregnancy is important to give your baby the best chance at a healthy start. There are risks to your baby when birthing early, so be sure to help educate your friends and family that a pregnancy is 40 weeks or 10 months, and that few babies are born exactly on their due date. Most are birthed between 40 and 41 weeks when moms wait for labor to start on its own.