What is the 'normal' due date for pregnancy?

In our western medical system we have become obsessed with this notion of a due date, this magical day that your baby should arrive by, and if they don't, goodness me baby is LATE!  Lord forbid we aren't on time! 

Statistics show that only around 5% of babies are born on the precise day deemed to be their 'due date'. 

Did you know that there is a spectrum of time (5 weeks!) that your baby will naturally come into this world? 

• 80% of babies are born between 37 weeks to 42 weeks gestation 

Just as each of us has a different menstrual cycle length, we are all going to have slightly different pregnancy gestation time too.  Every pregnancy, birth and baby is different. 

I find the concept of this one specific day to be quite limiting and potentially even damaging.  From the very beginning when your have your scans and you're given this date, you're psychologically being programmed to expect your baby on this day.  When it goes beyond this day, you can often be filled with feelings of frustration, impatience and discomfort.  But what if you didn't have that specific day, perhaps your were just expecting your baby to arrive in a particular month... would you not feel a whole lot calmer and less pressure?

There's the other side of things too, the possibility of interventions!  If you're over 41 weeks, most UK pregnancy care providers will offer (and pressure you!) to have an induction.  Which can come with all sorts of complications, and the cascade of events that follows can lead to even more medical interventions. 

We have only really been inducing labours using medical methods since the 1960's, approximately 60 years of people using drugs to force women's bodies to go into labour, and yet it is now widely considered to be 'normal' practice.  But, women have been giving birth for approximately 300,000 years!!

I challenge you to start changing your mindset to a 'due month' rather than a due date, sit with that idea for a while and see how it feels!

And in the mean time, here's a few myths about the 'due date':

**Due Dates Are Exact**

Many people believe that a due date is a precise prediction of when a baby will arrive.

In reality, only about 5% of babies are born on their due date; it’s really more of an estimate, a guide.

**Pregnancy Lasts Exactly 9 Months**

While the average pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks (which is roughly 9 months), this can vary significantly.

Some pregnancies are shorter, others are longer.

**You Can Induce Labour on Your Due Date/a Specific Date to Suit You**

Some people think they can choose to induce labour on their due date, but it’s often not that simple.

Induction is typically based on medical need rather than convenience, and if there's no medical need, I really wouldn't encourage anyone to have an induction!

**All Pregnancies Follow the Same Timeline**

Each pregnancy is unique, and factors like genetics and health can influence the actual length and timing of delivery.

**Once You Hit Your Due Date, You’re Late/Overdue/Post Dates**

A baby is considered 'overdue' only after 42 weeks, so reaching your 'due date' doesn’t mean you’re late!

There are medical considerations to take account of if you go beyond 42 weeks, like the placenta supplying nutrients to your baby can sometimes have a reduction in efficiency, which impacts the health of your baby. 

**If Your First Baby Was Early, Your Second Will Be Too**

Birth timing can vary with each pregnancy, and each baby, so this isn’t a reliable rule, don't expect all your pregnancies to be the same.

**You Should Plan Everything Around Your Due Date**

While it’s good to have a general plan, flexibility is key since babies can arrive earlier or later than 'expected', and if you're nearing that specified 'due date' I would suggest making plans for the day, do something fun, go out for lunch...don't sit at home and wait for the pot to boil!

In addition to all of this, there's the excitement of friends and family, all those messages of 'is the baby here yet' can be incredibly irritating, and keeping you constantly focusing on what's not happening (i.e. going into labour), rather than enjoying those last beautiful days of pregnancy and letting your body do its thing!