Surprise! You're still here. That's okay you aren't alone. While some moms have their babies prior to their due dates, many moms don't have their babies until after their due dates. It is also possible that your due date was miscalculated.
You may see your practitioner more often. Some will want to do a non-stress test to ensure baby is still doing well. The American College of Ob/Gyns doesn't recommend elective inductions. While you're tired of being pregnant, induction is usually harder on both you and the baby, often leading to increased intervention, including cesarean section.
Okay, are you surprised that the baby is still in there? You shouldn't be! He or she is tucked away, happily, inside. The average first time mother will go more than four days past her due date. Remember that the due date was more of a guess than anything based in science!
Your practitioner will still be monitoring you and the baby for the proper growth, fetal movements, and signs of labor.
Try to help mom be comfortable and that also means emotionally. Remember that well meaning friends and family will be calling to inquire about mom and baby. Try to answer the phone for her. Be sure that you change your answering machine to give the latest update. You can also try looking at this list of 101 things you can do when you're overdue.
A few multiple pregnancies will last past 40 weeks. If you're here, congratulations! You've done an excellent job of being pregnant. You're probably very uncomfortable. Try swimming and pregnancy massage.
Oh Baby! The Places You'll Go! by Trish Rabe
A delightful book for all ages, designed to start being read in utero!
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Photo © K. Harrell
