Understanding the myth behind due dates is crucial for expectant women because it helps set realistic expectations, reduces anxiety, and empowers them to make informed decisions about their pregnancy and birth.
The concept of a “due date” is often misunderstood, and this misunderstanding can lead to unnecessary interventions, such as early inductions or caesareans, that may not be necessary or beneficial. It’s important to remember here that we, as women, don’t birth with our brains, but we birth with our bodies. Dropping into that deep trust that we instinctively know HOW to birth and really trusting the process to unfold on its own timeline.
Walking through this expansive rite of passage is HUGE! Moving from woman to mother (whether for the first time or subsequently) is deeply transformative. Through labour and birth we often meet our shadows and are challenged by deep parts of ourselves and our narratives. Having a doula and/or midwife through this process to continue to hold space for this transformation, I think, is imperative!
Here’s why understanding due dates is important:
Due Dates Are an Estimate, not a Deadline:
- The due date (usually set at 40 weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period) is not an exact science. It is a general estimate of when a baby may arrive, but only about 5% of babies are born on their exact due date. In fact, only about 50% of babies are born within a week of the due date, and many babies arrive earlier or later than expected.
- The window of “full term” is considered to be between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. So, a baby born in this window is within a ‘normal’ range.
- Dates ‘9 months’ is not exactly equal to 40 weeks’ gestation anyways. To lean into the traditional tracking on a mother’s gestation, women used to count moons, and this historical evidence has shown us that women are more likely to witness 10 full moons before their baby is born.
Misunderstanding Can Lead to Unnecessary Interventions:
- When women (or healthcare providers) focus too much on the due date, there may be pressure for medical interventions like induction or caesarean sections, even when the baby and mother are doing well otherwise. Inductions before 39 weeks can carry risks such as preterm labour complications, respiratory issues for the baby, or a higher likelihood of requiring a caesarean section.
- The internal and external expectation of having a date on a baby’s arrival also increases stress, anxiety and pressure on the mother which can have negative effects on the mothers and baby’s health and wellbeing after birth.
- Knowing that due dates are estimates can help women advocate for themselves and avoid rushing the process unnecessarily.
- There is a lot of evidence to show that spontaneous labour has better outcomes for mother and baby; not only during labour and birth but also in the post-partum period such as mental health and breastfeeding.
Helps Reduce Anxiety and Stress:
- Expectant mothers often become anxious as their due date approaches and pass, especially if they don’t go into labour on that date. Understanding that it’s normal for the baby to come a little earlier or later can help reduce unnecessary stress and give women peace of mind.
- It helps women embrace the natural variability and vulnerability in birth and gives them space to relax and deeply surrender and trust their bodies and their baby’s journey earthside.
Resources to Help Women Navigate Due Dates and Avoid Unnecessary Inductions
Books and Guides:
- “Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth” by Ina May Gaskin — This book provides insight into natural birth processes and how trusting your body and baby can lead to a healthier, more positive birth experience.
- “The Birth Partner” by Penny Simkin — This guide is especially helpful for partners but also explains birth physiology and how to cope through different stages of labour.
- “Expecting Better” by Emily Oster — This book provides data-driven advice about pregnancy decisions, including the timing of inductions.
Birth Planning and Advocacy:
- Women can take childbirth classes (either online or in-person) to understand the process of labour and birth. Many doulas and midwives offer courses that help with understanding the physiological signs of labour and the role of due dates.
- Hiring a doula is a great opportunity for emotional support and information during pregnancy and labour. Doulas are trained to help women advocate for themselves in a hospital or home birth setting.
- Understanding birth preferences and creating a birth plan that prioritises the mother’s and baby’s health can guide decisions and reduce pressure for early inductions.
Coping Through the Last Weeks of Pregnancy
The final weeks of pregnancy can be challenging, especially as the due date approaches. Here are some ways women can cope and prepare for labour in the final weeks:
Practice Relaxation and Self-Care:
- Prenatal yoga or stretching exercises can relieve tension and encourage optimal foetal positioning. As well as reducing stress, tension and mental load.
- Meditation and breathwork can help calm the mind and reduce anxiety. Apps like Headspace or Calm offer relaxation techniques.
- A relaxing bath, massages, or using essential oils may also help soothe the body and mind.
- Hypnobirthing practices to prepare the mind and spirit for patience, trust and surrender both before, during and after labour and birth.
Stay Active:
- Gentle movement, such as walking,
- Avoiding too much rest or being sedentary in the final weeks helps with circulation and can encourage the baby to move into an ideal birth position.
Listen to Your Body:
- Women should tune into their body’s signals and rest when they feel fatigued. Overexertion can lead to stress, but so can inactivity. It’s about balance.
- If you’re feeling pressure to induce labour or feeling frustrated about the waiting game, it’s important to remind yourself that labour will start when both you and your baby are ready. This is easy to say and not always easy to do. Patience is one of motherhoods greatest lessons – so learning to master this skill is like a trial run waiting for labour to begin.
Use Comfort Measures:
- Acupressure or acupuncture can be helpful for reducing discomfort and possibly encouraging labour to begin, but always seek a licensed practitioner.
- Chiropractic care is another option that some women find useful to help align the body and encourage labour.
- It’s worth exploring these options, especially if you’re past expectant dates and becomes anxious.
Prepare Mentally and Emotionally:
- Journaling about your pregnancy experience or writing down your thoughts and feelings can be a therapeutic outlet.
- Support networks: Having a trusted support team in place – whether it’s a partner, family member, doula, or friends- can be key in those final days. Knowing that you have people to rely on can ease anxiety.
Trust the Process:
- One of the most powerful things a woman can do in the final days of pregnancy is trust her body and her baby. Labour will begin when the time is right. Almost always, simply being patient and surrendering to the natural rhythm of pregnancy is the best approach.
- Let go of any strict timelines and allow the body to take the lead.
Understanding the myth behind due dates and managing expectations about labour timing are key to avoiding unnecessary interventions and reducing anxiety. Knowledge is empowering, and women who are well-informed about their options and the normal course of pregnancy can approach their birth experience with confidence and less fear and prepare to walk through the deep portal that is: becoming a mother. Coping in the final weeks involves taking care of both body and mind, embracing relaxation techniques, and trusting that the baby will arrive in its own time.
By equipping themselves with the right resources and support, women can help ensure that their final weeks of pregnancy are as positive and empowering as possible and they are ready: emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually to bring their baby earthside.
A bit about me…..
Honõra means ‘The honour of women’. This work is my passion! My mission is encouraging women to take time in this busy world to come back into ourselves and acknowledge the transformational times in our lives, as women. To honour our rites of passage.
My skillset is vast – encompassing Naturopathy, Herbalism, Homeopathy, Emotional Release technique, Shamanic ceremonial work and natural birth work. Working with me means you have unlimited access to my knowledge and wisdom across all of these modalities.
My strengths are holding space. I create a safe, supportive environment where you are seen, heard, validated, and truly held as you move through and lean into each edge of your pregnancy, labour, birth, and postpartum journey.
My gifts are deep compassion, empathy, sincerity, and respect. These qualities guide me in offering unwavering support as you navigate the profound transformation of bringing new life into the world.
My name is Meegan Stephens, and I am a qualified doula who has completed training at the Doula Training Academy, and I service the Mid North Coast, NSW area. If you would like more information about my doula services, please contact me:
Business name:
Honõra – Heart, Body, Plant wisdom
Phone:
0424 032 990
Email:
[email protected]
Website:
https://www.honora.com.au
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