From the article: When will my baby be born?
Every pregnant women is assigned a due date. 40 weeks is a rough guess about when baby will be born, but babies are full term at 37 weeks. This end of pregnancy is a guess - how long will your pregnancy last? Did you believe your baby would be late or early? While babies are born a few weeks before or after the due date, everyone feels differently about when labor will begin or when induction is appropriate. What were your thoughts in pregnancy? Did the end of pregnancy change that? Did you have a firm plan for your due date? Did you panic if your due date came and went? Or were you surprised by an early baby? Share Your Thoughts
We'll See!
- My first was one week and one day late. I've read from a couple of different scientific sources that first pregnancies average much closer to 41 weeks than 40, if left to their own devices. I don't know what will happen with this baby, but I think 40 weeks is a good guess. I would never induce unless there was a very strong medical reason to do so. I know far too many woman whose inductions led to emergency c-sections. My personal opinion is that most babies come when they're ready. If I go past dates, I'll certainly get my monitoring done to keep an eye on the baby's health, but I won't want to rush her just for the sake of my convenience.
- —Guest KateC
Always made ready
- I was induced with my 1st 2 children with the days chosen by me which I considered excellent as I was always ready mentally. Expecting my third now hope its the same this time as well!!!
- —Guest nelly
On time
- I am 36 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child. Both of my children were born on their due date. The first was a scheduled induction 1 week early, she didn't come, and was born a week later on her due date. I began having contractions with my boy right at 12:00 am on his due date. I always say they are always on time like their mother. Certainly don't get it from their father.
- —Guest Austin, TX
Both Born On Due Dates
- My 1st came on his due date and surprisingly so did my 2nd. So I guess I was quite lucky! No waiting around.
- —Guest Danielle
Why a date?
- In many countries you are given a due month not an actual date. This is better as only 5% of babies are born on due date. I had 3 dates that my GP, midwife (I'm from the UK) and obs argued over. In the end I was 10/12/17 days late (depending on who you spoke to). Due month relieves so much stress.
- —Guest Ang
266 on the dot
- I am 100% certain that my daughter was conceived on Nov 4, 1991. She was born July 26, 1992. When my doctors were trying to calculate an August due date, I used the 266 day calendar and came up with the right day.
- —Guest Anon
It's based on averages.
- Due dates are based on average durations of gestation. Everyone is different, and two weeks early to two weeks late is a range of a whole month that is considered normal/healthy. My family has a strong history of late births. My daughter was 18 days late and was still only six pounds. I'm glad I didn't agree to an earlier induction, because she needed the time. I'm pregnant now and ready for another 42-week pregnancy.
- —Guest Dana
Mom was right
- I'm a 1st-time mom, and after my sister went two weeks overdue with her 1st, I was nervous about my daughter being the same. I had a small fall early in my pregnancy, and I had an emergency ultrasound at 10 weeks. They said that my due date was the 1st and that everything was looking great. I went for my normal ultrasounds and appointments and they had changed my date to the 8th. Also, my dr always reminded me that this was my first baby, and many "first timers" go overdue. Well, I always joked with a friend of mine saying that he would have to share his birthday, but even though I went into labour ON his birthday, she was born less than 12hrs after. She was born February 27th at 6lbs 12oz.
- —Guest Twiglet
40 weeks pregnant
- I know it won't happen on my due date because the doctor said my cervix is so far back. My daughter came 6 days after her due date and I was induced wit my son. Who knows with this one?
- —Guest jaykaymalsmom
First baby!
- After reading all of those it helps me better understand the due date. I'm almost 23 weeks. I'm just glad that he will come when he's ready.
- —Guest
Have no clue!
- With my first baby I had a c-section, so the date was set for me...this time around I'm having a vbac water birth at home...so I have no idea what to expect...but I have a feeling this baby is going to make us wait! I'm so excited!
- —Typep23456
Nerdy baby
- Our due date is May 4th (may the fourth be with you), but I doubt he'll be born on that date. I'm hoping for late April.
- —Guest Aayin
Early or Full Term
- My 1st son was born at 32 weeks after my water broke at 30 weeks. I am 30 weeks pregnant with my 2nd son this week. I'm told I'm more likely to have a pre-term baby the second time as well. Has anyone had the experience of 2 preemies?
- —Guest TLSting Ray
Changes........
- I'm expecting #3. With all 3 they moved the due date back by 2 weeks (ultrasound). My son was born 1 week after original. My daughter was born on her original. I'm thinking because my cycle is about 36 days this one will be here about 10 days after original date. I was pretty good at guessing the other 2, so who knows with this one.
- —Brandylki
???? Only the baby knows the due date??
- Only your baby really knows? I have a hard time believing that the baby knows anything about the due date. In fact who knows if the baby even instigates labour, it might be the mothers body or a whole bunch of factors. Its funny to me when I hear "the baby will come when he/she is ready..." babies are born all the time way before or way after they are ready. Maybe it has more to do with the mother's body. GUIDE COMMENT: In the case of preterm labor, sometimes it's because of something inside that says baby is safer on the outside, like an infection, but preterm birth is always an anomaly not a norm.
- —Guest Nat
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