Question:
How can I cope with being overdue?
Wait it out
Though nobody wants to be pregnant for 42 weeks,it is fairly common. Resist the temptation to induce labor just to get it over with. Monitor the baby's condition, but as long as the baby and placenta are doing well, have faith that your baby will come in it's own time. Too many women have induced only to find that their baby wasn't quite ready to be born and therefore must struggle harder than necessary to make the transition to life outside the womb.
Due date is an estimate
What you think of as your due date is actually in medcial terms referred to as EDD--estimated due date. It is better to think of a due month than a due date. Try not to focus too much on your "due" date coming and going. Only 5% of babies are born on their due dates.
Don't answer the phone
Once you are "overdue" your phone will likely ring off the hook with people wanting to know if "you have had that baby yet!?" (or at least it will seem like it!) Leave the phone off the hook, or let the answering machine pick it up. You won't want the constant reminders that your little one is taking his or her time in joining the family.
Why worry?
Statistically, babies born beyond 42 weeks gestation (but remember, it isn't always easy to determine when you conceived, so determining 42 weeks can be difficult as well) have a greater risk of problems, often due to a placenta that ceases to function properly. However, this happens in only about 10% of the post-42-week babies.
Deliveries can also be more difficult in post-term babies due to their increased size.
Ultrasound examination can help determine if either of these conditions is present and may be preferable to induction, especially if there is any question as to the accuracy of the due date.
Have faith
Though the last weeks seem unending, fewer than 1% of babies reach the 43-week mark, the point at which complications become significant. Monitor the baby's health, but don't panic or be in a rush to act.
Child Birth Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a transverse presentation?
What does "gravida" stand for on my chart?
What is meant by the baby´s "lie?"
What is the function of the placenta?
When should baby´s cord be clamped?
Is protein in my diet important?
Is it okay to eat or drink during labor?
What should I eat during pregnancy?
What can I do about postpartum birth control?
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What is a placental abruption?
Are there any good parenting magazines?
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How can I make the transition to new parenthood smoother?
What is RhO (D) Immune Globulin?
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What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
What is Human Chorionic Gonadotropin?
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When are Braxton Hicks contractions the cause of preterm labor?
Is rubella dangerous during pregnancy?
What is meant by the baby´s position?
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What is meant by the baby´s presentation?
Should I stick to the birth plan no matter what?
What is meant by the baby´s presenting part?
What is the function of the umbilical cord?
Can I have sexual intercourse right after giving birth?
What is meant by a premature baby?
How can I cope with the baby blues
What type of natural childbirth would help me to manage pain?
Name a way to calm me during labor.
Is it okay to take hot baths while you are pregnant?
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