Diagnosis of Pregnancy

DIAGNOSIS OF PREGNANCY

The reproductive period of a woman begins at menarche and ends in menopause. It usually extends from
13–45 years. While biological variations may occur in different geographical areas, pregnancy is rare below
12 years and beyond 50 years. Lina Medina in Lima, Peru was the youngest one, delivery by cesarean
section when she was only 5 years and 7 months old and the oldest one at 57 years and 4 months old.
DURATION OF PREGNANCY: The duration of pregnancy has traditionally been calculated by the
clinicians in terms of 10 lunar months or 9 calendar months and 7 days or 280 days or 40 weeks, calculated
from the first day of the last menstrual period. This is called menstrual or gestational age.
But, fertilization usually occurs 14 days prior to the expected missed period and in a previously normal
cycle of 28 days duration, it is about 14 days after the first day of the period. Thus, the true gestation period
is to be calculated by subtracting 14 days from 280 days, i.e. 266 days. This is called fertilization or
ovulatory age and is widely used by the embryologist.