Ever heard the phrase “babies come when they're ready”? Well, it turns out, they're not big fans of calendars, either! Before you plan a homecoming party for your baby, let's dive into the wild world of due dates and the delightful surprises they often bring.
The likelihood of your baby being born on their due date is relatively low. Only about four to five percent of babies are born on their actual due date. The majority of babies are born within a window of two weeks before or after their due date.
Due dates are calculated based on the first day of the mother's last menstrual period and are estimated to be 40 weeks from this date. However, the actual length of pregnancy can vary, and factors such as irregular menstrual cycles, variations in ovulation timing and differences in fetal development can contribute to variations in the timing of birth.
First-time mothers may be more likely to deliver after their due date, while subsequent pregnancies may be more likely to deliver before the due date.
Medical interventions such as labour induction or Cesarean section may influence the timing of birth, especially if there are medical reasons for the baby to be delivered earlier, or if labour doesn’t progress naturally.
Due dates are estimates, not guarantees. Whether your little one arrives fashionably late or right on schedule, one thing's for sure: They'll make their grand entrance exactly when the time is right for them!
