How Do I Find Out How Far Along I Am?

How Do I Find Out How Far Along I Am?

You just got a positive pregnancy test. Along with everything you’re feeling right now, one of the first questions is: how far along am I?

The good news is, you don’t have to figure this out alone, and you don’t have to figure it out with guesswork either. Here’s where to start, and how Alpha Women’s Center can walk through it with you.

Start With Your Last Period

For most women, the easiest starting point is the first day of your last period. Your body builds up your uterine lining each month to prepare for a possible pregnancy. If you don’t become pregnant, that lining sheds, which is your period.

Because it’s usually the easiest date to remember, it gives doctors a reliable starting point for estimating your due date, even though the exact day you became pregnant is hard to know.

If you know that date, you can count forward to get a general idea of how far along you are, or add 40 weeks to estimate your due date.

But What If You’re Not Sure Or Your Cycle Doesn’t Run on Schedule?

Maybe you don’t remember your last period. Maybe your cycle has never been predictable. Maybe you’re just not confident in the math. All of that is completely normal, and it’s exactly why we’re here.

Every woman’s body works a little differently, and trying to pin down an exact timeline on your own can feel stressful on top of everything else you’re processing right now. You don’t have to have it figured out before you reach out.

The Most Accurate Next Step: A Free Ultrasound at Alpha

A positive test tells you that you’re pregnant. But it can’t tell you how far along you are, or answer some of the other questions that matter for deciding what’s next. An ultrasound is the most accurate way to find those answers, and it’s one of the ways we can support you.

At our Ankeny center, Alpha Women’s Center offers a free, limited OB ultrasound alongside your positive pregnancy test. Our team will help you understand what the results mean, answer your questions in a caring and unhurried setting, and talk through your options with you, with no pressure and no judgment.

You Don’t Have to Have All the Answers Right Now

Whether you feel scared, uncertain, relieved, overwhelmed, or all of the above, we understand. We’ve walked alongside many women who’ve stood exactly where you’re standing. Alpha Women’s Center is a safe, confidential place to ask your questions, get real information, and talk through what your options actually look like for you.

You can request an appointment or give us a call at 515-285-5700 (Des Moines) or 515-965-7885 (Ankeny).

You can also read our related post, I Just Found Out I’m Pregnant — What Are My Options?

Disclaimer

This blog is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider with questions about your pregnancy.

References

Conception: Fertilization, Timeline & How To Get Pregnant, Cleveland Clinic, Accessed August 4, 2026.

Menstrual Cycle (Normal Menstruation): Overview & Phases, Cleveland Clinic, Accessed August 4, 2026.

Pregnancy weeks to months: How many weeks, months, and trimesters in pregnancy | BabyCenter, Kate Marpel, BabyCenter, May 30, 2026.

Ultrasound In Pregnancy: What To Expect, Schedule & Results, Cleveland Clinic, Accessed August 4, 2026.