How Long Is Pregnancy?
Pregnancy typically lasts for about 280 days, or 40 weeks. This is considered a full-term pregnancy. It's important to note that this is calculated from the first day of the woman's last menstrual period.
A full-term pregnancy is generally defined as lasting between 37 and 40 weeks. Deliveries before 37 weeks are considered preterm or premature. Premature babies are categorized further:
- Extremely preterm infants: Born between 23 and 28 weeks.
- Moderately preterm infants: Born between 29 and 33 weeks.
The 40-week mark is significant because it represents the point at which the baby is generally considered fully developed and ready for birth. Source: New York State Department of Health
Time to Conception vs. Pregnancy Length
It's crucial to differentiate between the time it takes to conceive and the length of the pregnancy itself. While the above focuses on the duration of pregnancy, the time it takes a couple to conceive varies. Most couples who have regular unprotected sex will conceive within a year. However, fertility decreases with age. Source: NHS
