The Power of Birth Comes from Within, The Knowledge of Birth Comes from Support.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Going Past Your Due Date

It’s so hard to see your due date come and go with no signs of labor on the horizon.  People may comment about your date being off, being about to ‘pop’, and question you about getting induced or even comment about ‘are you sure there aren’t twins in there?’   Roughly 8% of women give birth on their due dates with many women going past their EDC.  Generally pregnancy lasts about 266 days.  This is calculated on having your cycle every 28 days and ovulating on day 14.  Thank you Dr. Naegele for this wonderful mathematical calculation born somewhere in the late 1800’s.
Perhaps your due date was off.  More likely that the baby just isn’t ready yet and they are the only ones who really know for sure.  Let’s trust them.  So what to do while you wait?
v Make a plan.  Are you ready for the first days and weeks postpartum?  Is your bag packed?  Camera’s ready?  Music for labor loaded on your IPOD?  Has your support team all reviewed your birth plan?
v Do something fun: Take in a movie.  Spend the days with the remote control and Lifetime TV.  Take a walk on the beach.   Have a romantic dinner out together.  Go out with friends.  Get a massage. Practice your relaxation.  Take naps.  Get a pedicure so your toes look pretty while you push.
v Research natural ways to induce labor.  There are several methods that have been noted to get things going.
v Talk with your care provider about any concerns you may have.
v Install your car seat in the car if you haven’t already.
v Keep monitoring fetal movements and any contractions that you may be having.
v Read over positive birth affirmations.
v Talk, read, and sing to your baby.
v Try to let go and breathe.  The baby will come when the baby is ready.