"How many weeks pregnant am I?" - Read this before looking at that due date calculator!

October 12, 2023

 

So you’ve just found out you’re pregnant (congratulations!) and you’re searching for a due date calculator! We all do it...we all want to know that magical "due date"!

But…before you etch that magical date into every calendar and tell all your friends and family… here are 3 things to think about!

1. Due dates are a huge guess! They’re based on big assumptions that will vary according to BMI, cycle length, ovulation date and personal gestation length. I know you really don’t want to hear this…but your estimated due date can be out by a matter of weeks. Even the idea of a "due date" is something that we as humans have made up – and not all countries even go by a 40 week gestation period! In France you wouldn’t be "due" until 41 weeks, and in Kenya…that due date calculator would be giving you a due date which is at 43 weeks of pregnancy! 

Read: 5 ways to reduce your anxiety in pregnancy 

2. Think twice before you pass on the date given by that due date calculator! Consider telling friends and family a due month instead. Just 4% of babies arrive on their estimated due date…and 85% of pregnancies continue to 41 weeks… so try and let go of that date! How will you feel if your mother in law is messaging you every day after your due date asking you where the baby is? How will questions about your baby being “late” impact your decisions about your pregnancy and birth? If you know people won’t leave you alone around your due date, you could always add a couple of weeks on to give you some breathing space…!

3. Despite everything we know about the inaccuracies of "due dates", our maternity system still depends upon them heavily. You may receive recommendations around induction or caesarean birth if you haven’t given birth by a certain date (this is the only way big institutions can operate) and so feeling informed around this time can make a big difference to which interventions you accept or decline. Knowledge really is power and can really impact your birth experience and how your baby comes into this world. 

If you’d like to understand more about preparing for a positive pregnancy and birth, start following me on social media! I share lots of free tips and info on Instagram. And when you feel ready to really get stuck in to learning about labour and birth, my online hypnobirthing & antenatal course is waiting for you! At just £69, it’s the most affordable way to work with me and will get both you and your birth partner feeling confident, informed and prepared for your baby’s arrival.

Finally...congratulations again!

Rachel xxx

---

---

Also in Strong Like Mama Blog