Trimesters or weeks in pregnancy

[JackMatthams]

What

We propose to add an entry to the A to Z of NHS health writing on trimesters, suggesting a preference for 'weeks' instead when talking about time in pregnancy.

Why

'Weeks' is more commonly used and is clearer to users when reading content on pregnancy.

[sarawilcox]

At February Content Style Council meeting, we agreed to add the following to the style guide:
trimesters
We mostly use "weeks" when writing about time in pregnancy.

We've found that most users think about their pregnancy in "weeks" or "months" but using “weeks” means we can be more precise.

Trimesters are less clear. If you do use the word "trimester", explain what you mean, for example: “the 1st trimester (up to about 13 weeks)”.

We use numerals for numbers, for example "13 weeks", instead of "thirteen weeks".

[Waiting for clinical approval.]

[sarawilcox]

Signed off by clinicians.
Changes made: nhsuk/nhsuk-service-manual#603
Waiting to go live.