Are my calculations of the pregnancy ratio of the population correct?

In summary: So the numbers depend on statistics and models.In summary, the conversation discusses monthly cycle numbers with a cycle ratio of 2:2:1 and the corresponding numbers of 20,000:20,000:10,000 respectively. The cycle length is determined to be 4 weeks and the pregnancy ratio is found to be 3:10 or approximately 31.2%. However, there may be discrepancies in the calculations due to subjective factors and incomplete data on failed pregnancies. The CDC data on births and natality is recommended for further reference.
  • #1
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Homework Statement
So this question is a math question having to do with me calculating the rate of population growth starting from a population of 100,000. I have already gotten the first 3 steps done(sex ratio, ratio of cycle time, and pregnancy ratio after a week among those in the fertile timeframe(calculating the ratio amongst the entire female population which is what I'm after should be relatively easy afterwards). What is the pregnancy ratio in the entire female population once there is no risk of miscarriage?
Relevant Equations
Miscarriage amount in subpopulation at 3 weeks = # of pregnancies * 30.9%
Miscarriage amount in subpopulation at 4 weeks = (# of initial pregnancies - # of miscarriages at 3 weeks) * 35.4% * 40%
Miscarriage amount in subpopulation at 5 weeks = (# of initial pregnancies - # of miscarriages at 4 weeks - # of miscarriages at 5 weeks) * 26.9% * 30%

And just so you don't get confused by the order of the addition when calculating the miscarriages changing, the number that is in the thousands is miscarriages at 3 weeks, the one in the higher hundreds is that at 4 weeks, and the one in the lower hundreds is that at 5 weeks.
Monthly Cycle numbers

Here is the cycle ratio:

$$2_{early}:2_{fertile}:1_{late}$$

And the numbers:

$$20,000_{early}:20,000_{fertile}:10,000_{late}$$

Now, let's divide the early into 2 groups, pre-fertile, and safe and assume there is a 50/50 split between those 2 groups. Let's also assume that all the people in the fertile group are in the late group after a week, all those that are in the late group, are in the safe group after a week and so on. This suggests a cycle length of ##4## but let me verify it.

After a week:

$$10,000_{safe}:10,000_{pre-fertile}:10,000_{fertile}:20,000_{late}$$

After 2 weeks:

$$20,000_{safe}:10,000_{pre-fertile}:10,000_{fertile}: 10,000_{late}$$

After 3 weeks:

$$10,000_{safe}:20,000_{pre-fertile}:10,000_{fertile}:10,000_{late}$$

Yep, cycle length of ##4## is confirmed. To get the pregnancy ratio after a month of trying for pregnancy, I need the exact division which is a tad more complicated.

Figuring out pregnancy ratio

The ratio amongst the people in the fertile window of people who become pregnant is ##2:3## or ##40\%## Anti-miscarriage meds only work at or after 4 weeks has passed. Their effectiveness is ##60\%## at 4 weeks and ##70\%## at 5 weeks. It is 100% effective at 6 weeks. Here are the miscarriage rates:

- 3 weeks: 30.9%
- 4 weeks: 35.4%
- 5 weeks: 26.9%

So for the first week, ##8,000## become pregnant and the other ##12,000## in the fertile window go on to be in the late group. Ratio is ##8,000_{pregnant}:42,000_{non-pregnant}## which simplifies to ##4:21## or in terms of percents, ##16\%## of the female population.

After a week, another ##4,000## become pregnant. However, 30.9% of those from the starting week have a miscarriage. That is ##2472## people who miscarried, fewer than the number that became pregnant. Now the number is at ##9,528## pregnancies.

After another week, another ##4,000## become pregnant. 30.9% of those from the previous week miscarry. On top of that, 40% of the predicted 35.4% miscarry. So that is ##1,236 + 783 = 2019## miscarriages. This is fewer than those that become pregnant so there is an overall increase again. Now ##11,509## people are pregnant

After a third week, another ##4,000## become pregnant. 30.9% of those from the previous week, 40% of 35.4% of those that became pregnant the week before last, and 30% of 26.9% of those that became pregnant on the starting week miscarry. This adds up to ##1,236 + 566 + 346 = 2,148## miscarriages. Now ##13,361## people are pregnant.

After a fourth week, another ##8,800## become pregnant. At this point, there is no more push to become pregnant so the miscarriage calculations will get simpler from here. Here are the numbers for the miscarriages: ##177 + 391 + 1236 = 1804## miscarriages. Now, this is way less than the number that became pregnant so the total number of pregnancies now is ##20,357##

Fifth week:

$$2,719 + 391 + 192 = 3,302$$ miscarriages

$$17,055$$ pregnancies

Sixth week:

$$192 + 861 = 1,053$$ miscarriages

$$16,002$$ pregnancies

Seventh week:

$$421$$ miscarriages

The final number of pregnancies is ##15,581## pregnancies

Percentage pregnant is ##31.2\%## which is approximately a ##3:10## ratio

Did I do my calculations correctly or did I make a mistake somewhere in the sea of multiplication, addition, and subtraction to calculate the miscarriage and pregnancy numbers week by week?

NOTE: My calculations assume no fertility after the miscarriage for several months, no other causes of fetal death besides spontaneous abortion(otherwise known as a miscarriage), and no maternal death while pregnant so despite matching the percent of the population that become pregnant after 1 try very closely, it might not be a realistic percentage for after 2 tries. Also, it is only this step, calculating the number of pregnancies that I need you to verify. Caculating how many are twins, etc. I should be able to do fine on my own.
 
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  • #2
This might help - Births and Natality data from the CDC:
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/births.htm
It might be me, but it seems your numbers appear to be somewhat different. I did not review all of what you did carefully because some of it seems a bit subjective. But. Keep on trying. This is a very good project. The CDC data above is considered the best available. There is a nice pdf on the site with loads of graphs - see Figure 2.

Note that there is incomplete data on failed pregnancies because when a fetus spontaneously aborts in early stages (1st trimester) it is not often reported.
 

FAQ: Are my calculations of the pregnancy ratio of the population correct?

1. How do you calculate the pregnancy ratio of the population?

The pregnancy ratio of the population is typically calculated by dividing the number of pregnant individuals by the total population and multiplying by 100. This provides a percentage of the population that is currently pregnant.

2. What factors can affect the accuracy of pregnancy ratio calculations?

There are several factors that can affect the accuracy of pregnancy ratio calculations, including incomplete or inaccurate data, variations in pregnancy rates among different demographics, and changes in population size over time.

3. How can I ensure the accuracy of my pregnancy ratio calculations?

To ensure the accuracy of your pregnancy ratio calculations, it is important to use reliable and up-to-date data, properly define the population being studied, and account for any known factors that may affect pregnancy rates. It can also be helpful to compare your calculations with those of other researchers to identify any discrepancies.

4. Is the pregnancy ratio of the population a static or dynamic measure?

The pregnancy ratio of the population is a dynamic measure, meaning it can change over time as the population and pregnancy rates change. It is important to regularly update calculations to reflect these changes.

5. What can the pregnancy ratio of the population tell us about a society?

The pregnancy ratio of the population can provide valuable insights into the reproductive health and behavior of a society. It can also be used to track changes in fertility rates, access to healthcare, and other social and economic factors that may impact pregnancy rates.

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