Wondering when your baby is going to arrive? One of the most common internet searches for people nearing their due date is ” Do first babies usually come early?”
You’re anxiously awaiting their arrival, the nursery is ready, your friends and family keep calling to see how you’re feeling and you are over being pregnant, uncomfortable and swollen.
Your due date looms on the calendar, a big red x to mark the 40th week of pregnancy. You’ve told everyone that you feel like you might be early.
You’re full term at 37 weeks, but that doesn’t mean you’ll give birth anytime soon. The range of full term is actually from 37-42 weeks. That is a 5 week period in which your baby can arrive at any time!
Once you reach 37 weeks it just means your baby is most likely going to be perfectly able to breathe and survive outside the womb without assistance. Your baby doesn’t know the clock is ticking and that they’re late to their own party if they don’t show up before their due date.
Did you know that most babies won’t even arrive on their due date? (Only 4% do!)
In fact, the most likely time to give birth is between 39 and 41 weeks (58% of babies arrive in that two week period around your actual due date)
It’s best to be prepared at 36 weeks with all the basics that you’ll need for your baby, car seat base installed in the car, and your hospital bag ready to go.
Then, wait. Be patient. Your baby will arrive when they’re ready.
For more about due dates and when babies typically arrive, check out these links:
Evidence Based Birth
New York Times on Due Dates https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/17/parenting/due-date-accurate.html
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