Maintaining Your Sanity (And The Difference Between Overdue and Postdate)

First of all...lets try to remember that your due date is more often than not a "Guess Date" - lets go with 2 weeks before said date or two weeks after - that is the period of time when your baby is due. So really, its a "Guess Month!"

Lets also try to remember that going past said "due date" is normal. Yes, you read that right...its normal!

• Only 5% of babies are born on their due date.
• Of the 95% of babies who are not born on their due date, 
• 3 out of 10 arrive before their due date
• 7 out of 10 come after
• 9 out of 10 babies are born within 10 days of their due date
• All this said...your odds of being pregnant 10 days after your due date? Less than 10%!! And come on...you've been pregnant for how long? 10 more days may feel like an eternity, but its nothing in comparison to how long you've already been pregnant. Its not even 2 weeks! 

I bet you've heard about 50 million people ask this question "Have you had that baby yet?!" - when its quite obvious that no...indeed, you are still very much pregnant, very uncomfortable, and very annoyed. If you're getting sick of this question from callers, e-mailers, or from people online, maybe try shutting those things out until your baby is born. There's no advice I can give you for the random strangers who will ask you this as you're walking down the grocery isle...all I can tell you is to not act on your though of ramming your cart into their leg...

Instead of dwelling on the fact that you still haven't had your baby - try basking in the time you have left. Especially if this is your first baby. You may be anxious to meet your little darling, but take it from a mother who absolutely adores her baby boy - you will not have very many moments to yourself after he/she is here. And while you may be anxious to meet him/her and you think you wont care - you will. Eventually, you will. You'll wish for just one day where you could sleep in and do nothing all day - so I'm telling you...do that while you can. Soak in a peaceful bath, read a good book, go to the movies, go on a date! You wont be able to for awhile!

Now...lets discuss what the difference between being overdue is vs. being postdate.
Overdue = past your estimated due date.
Postdate = being more than two weeks overdue (meaning being over 42 weeks).

If you are postdate, your doctor will probably want to deliver soon.
Reasons include:

• Your placenta can start to deteriorate and will no longer be able to provide your baby with proper nutrients. 
• Amniotic fluid levels may drop. 
• Your baby could inhale meconium. 

If you are postdate you should consider being sent for a

• Non-stress test 
• Biophysical profile (a detailed ultrasound that looks at the baby's breathing, body/limb movements, fetal tone, and the quantity of amniotic fluid).