How accurate are due dates?
Pregnancies last 40 weeks. By 38 weeks a mother is ‘at term’, but can deliver up until 42 weeks. After that, well, an induction is needed because the placenta will fail or the baby will be too big to deliver. Or at least that’s what we’re told…
Let’s just look at that a bit closer shall we?
Will all babies be ready to be born at term? Do all apples growing on the tree, fall in ripeness on the same day? No, they don’t.
The way the UK calculates due dates also differs from countries, such as France, where they estimate them at 41 weeks.
And will your placenta fail past that date? Most likely not, no. It’s done the most incredible job for the past 40/41/42 weeks and doesn't have a post-42 weeks expiry date.
As for your baby becoming too big - firstly, that contradicts your placenta failing (if the main organ supporting your baby’s growth is about to fail, then how would they be growing ‘too big’?) Secondly, there has never been a woman who had a baby so big that she couldn’t birth it. Women have been birthing babies for millennia and as such their bodies are designed to do just that!
Things to remember…
Baby knows best. It may be helpful to recite this alongside your pregnancy affirmations, relaxations or meditations.
Share a date two weeks from the due date the hospital has given you with your friends and family to prevent any well-meaning-but-potentially-infuriating messages from them when ‘the date’ approaches.
Already told people your due date? Tell them you’ve had another scan and the date has moved back two weeks.
Only 5% of babies are born on their due date!
In my hypnobirthing classes we never talk about due dates - all babies come when they’re good and ready! Find out more about how I can help you to prepare for the fantastic birth of your beautiful baby by emailing info@littlegreenleaf.co.uk.