Re: 40+ weeks and counting

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Nope, you know EXACTLY when you got pregnant :) 40 weeks is only an estimated due date (established by a doctor back in the early 1800s), and it is normal for it to be 2 weeks on either side of that. In fact, a 1990 study found that most first time moms will go an average of 8 days past the 40 week mark, if left alone, and that most moms who've given birth before will go an average of 3 days past 40 weeks . In the US, many doctors will not allow a mom to go past 41 weeks, but in less litigious societies that is not such a big deal. Usually after 41 weeks, though, the doctors will usually have you doing non-stress tests every couple of days to make sure the baby is doing okay, and if not, will go ahead and deliver. Some doctors will start these NSTs a few days after 40 weeks.

--
Suzanne S. Powell
childbirth educator, doula,
student midwife, and scrapbook consultant
Peachtree City, GA

http://www.AtlantaDoula.com

http://www.gamidwifery.org

• Next message: KarenM: "8 or 12 weeks?"
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• In reply to: Christy: "40+ weeks and counting"
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