Pregnancy is an exciting journey, but it can also be confusing when it comes to tracking how far along you are. Many first-time moms wonder whether they should count their pregnancy in weeks, months, or trimesters. The truth is, all three measurements are commonly used, and understanding how they fit together can help you keep track of your baby's development more easily. Let’s break it down!

How Long is Pregnancy?

A typical pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks or 9 months, starting from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). This method of counting, which doctors use, is based on a full 40-week cycle, although many pregnancies naturally range from 38 to 42 weeks.

Weeks vs. Months vs. Trimesters

You’ll hear pregnancy referred to in weeks, months, and trimesters, and each offers a different way to think about your progress:

Pregnancy by Weeks

Doctors typically track pregnancy by weeks because it's more precise and helps monitor specific milestones in your baby’s development. Here's how the 40 weeks break down:

• 1st Trimester: Week 1 to Week 12
• 2nd Trimester: Week 13 to Week 26
• 3rd Trimester: Week 27 to Week 40

Counting in weeks is helpful because most major developmental changes happen in this timeline. For instance, at Week 6, your baby’s heart starts beating, and by Week 12, most of the organs have formed.

Pregnancy by Months

Dividing pregnancy into months is a more general way to describe how far along you are. Most months have about four to five weeks, so this doesn’t always match up perfectly with the weekly count. Here’s a general guide:

• Month 1: Weeks 1-4
• Month 2: Weeks 5-8
• Month 3: Weeks 9-13
• Month 4: Weeks 14-17
• Month 5: Weeks 18-22
• Month 6: Weeks 23-27
• Month 7: Weeks 28-31
• Month 8: Weeks 32-35
• Month 9: Weeks 36-40

Each month brings different changes in your body and the baby’s development. For example, in the 5th month, most moms start feeling their baby’s movements, while the 9th month is all about preparing for delivery.

Pregnancy by Trimesters

Trimesters are a common way to break down pregnancy, as each one is marked by significant changes:

• First Trimester (Weeks 1-12)