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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Gestation and Pregnancy?

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Gestation and pregnancy are often used interchangeably, but they have slightly different meanings. Here are the key differences between the two:

  • Gestation refers to the period of time between conception and birth, during which a baby grows and develops inside the mother's womb. It is measured in weeks, from the first day of the woman's last menstrual cycle to the current date. The average length of gestation is 280 days, or 40 weeks.
  • Pregnancy is the broader term that encompasses the entire process of carrying a developing embryo or fetus inside the female body. It is calculated as 40 weeks and starts from the first day of the woman's last menstrual period. Pregnancy is classified into three stages known as trimesters, each lasting approximately 3 months.

In summary, gestation is the period during which a baby grows and develops in the womb, while pregnancy is the overall process of carrying a developing embryo or fetus inside the female body. Gestation is a part of pregnancy, and both terms are used to describe the stages of fetal development and the changes a woman's body undergoes during this time.

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  • What is the Difference Between Gestation and Pregnancy?
  • Comparative Table: Gestation vs Pregnancy

    • Comparative Table: Gestation vs Pregnancy

    Here is a table comparing the differences between gestation and pregnancy:

    Term Definition Time Frame Stages
    Gestation The period of time between conception and birth, during which an embryo or fetus develops in the uterus. 38 to 42 weeks. -
    Pregnancy The condition of a woman carrying a developing embryo or fetus in her uterus. 40 weeks (counted from the first day of the woman's last menstrual period). Calculated as 40 weeks, including the first week of menstruation, and divided into three trimesters of approximately 3 months each:
    1. First trimester: conception to 12 weeks
    2. Second trimester: 13 to 27 weeks
    3. Third trimester: 28 to 42 weeks (under normal circumstances) or up to 40 weeks (calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period, not the date of conception).

    Key points:

    • Gestation refers to the specific period during which a baby grows and develops in the womb.
    • Pregnancy includes the entire process of carrying a developing embryo or fetus in the uterus, starting from the first day of the woman's last menstrual period.
    • Babies are considered full-term if they are born between 38 and 42 weeks of gestation.
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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.