When the ‘Due Date’ passes
Most babies are born somewhere between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. We often hear about babies arriving early, but it’s less common to hear about those who arrive well after their “due date.”
Recently, I supported a client who had chosen to continue her pregnancy while she and her baby remained well. My role was to check in regularly — monitoring her signs of wellbeing, her blood pressure, checking her urine, asking about her baby’s movements, and listening to her baby’s heartbeat. These moments, along with feeling the baby’s position and their playful kicks and shoves, can give us a reassuring picture of health.
Due dates — and why they aren’t always exact
Only around 5% of babies arrive on their due date. Most arrive within about 10 days either side, and many come outside that range. Factors like cycle length, ovulation timing, and family history can all shift the likely timing of birth.
The idea of a fixed “due date” goes back to the 1800s, when a German obstetrician suggested that pregnancy lasts 280 days from the first day of a woman’s last period. While this is still widely used, it’s based on the assumption of a 28-day cycle, which simply isn’t true for everyone.
What the guidelines say
In the NHS, induction of labour is usually recommended at 41 weeks, with extra monitoring if pregnancy continues beyond 42 weeks. These tests — such as listening to the baby’s heart rate or measuring blood flow through the cord — are reassuring in the moment, but they’re snapshots in time, not long-term predictions.
It’s also important to remember that each pregnancy is unique. Some babies thrive happily well past 42 weeks, while others may need closer watching earlier on.
Balancing evidence, safety, and choice
Over the past couple of weeks, my feelings have ranged from calm patience to a quiet awareness of the responsibility I hold in supporting my client’s decision. I trust her ability to make the choice that feels right for her, and I remain watchful for any signs that plans should change.
We’ve talked openly about the risks of waiting and the risks of intervening. Research shows that stillbirth rates are lowest around 37–38 weeks, with a gradual rise afterwards. However, upon closer examination, much of the data is based on older studies and doesn’t always reflect modern care practices. More recent research shows that outcomes for induction versus waiting are often very similar — especially when the pregnancy is healthy and low-risk.
One of the biggest concerns with going “overdue” is the health of the placenta. While some changes do happen as pregnancy progresses, this doesn’t always mean the placenta is failing. In healthy pregnancies, it typically continues to function well until birth.
Supporting the journey
In this case, my client felt comfortable waiting — and in the absence of a medical reason not to, it felt right to wait. Every extra day gives her baby more time to grow, develop, and get ready for life outside the womb.
My role is to keep her informed, keep her safe, and keep listening to her, to her baby, and to my own instincts and refer to the obstetric care team if concerns arise. I’m here to support her choices, free from pressure, while making sure she has all the information she needs should she decide to change her mind.
A final thought
Waiting for a baby can be full of emotions, patience, excitement, and sometimes uncertainty. But it’s also a reminder that birth doesn’t always fit neatly into a calendar.
Whether a baby comes at 37 weeks or 43+, the most important thing is that both mother and baby are well, are informed, and are supported in making the decisions that feel right for them.
Recommended reading:
In Your Own Time: How western medicine controls the start of labour and why this needs to stop. Dr Sara WIckham
https://www.rachelreed.website/blog/induction-of-labour-for-prolonged-pregnancy