1 Week of Baby Strads: The Final Countdown

So, a week from today is my due date.  A week!  Although I'm getting excited, I'm also keeping myself and this excitement in check. Part of me feels like the finish line is constantly moving away from me even as I'm supposedly get closer to it.  Here's why:

I assumed that due dates were calculated based on some very specific biological information. Like, when the baby is exactly 40 weeks old, s/he will begin to release hormones that will, within hours to days, throw the mother into labor. I assumed this was especially true for me, since I used IVF to get pregnant and know the exact second of conception. Unfortunately, this is not the case for me or for anyone.

Due dates are calculated by statisticians and doctors based on collected and averaged data.  In fact, the due date system that we use today was developed in 1850 by a doctor (Dr. Naegele) who assumed that all women have 28 day cycles.  Some studies suggest that we need to add 15 days to Naegele's calculation for first-time moms and possibly shorten due dates for African Americans and Asians.  Even more interesting, different countries calculate due dates differently!  In France, for example, babies are "due" at 41 weeks, which would mean, that if I lived in France I would have at least 2 weeks to go!  See, it's a moving target.

One paper I read online shows this graphical distribution:

The point is only 66 percent of babies are born within 10 days of their due dates and still only 80 percent are born within two (2) weeks of their due dates!

A study in the 1980's showed that first time moms gave birth 8 days past their due date on average.

So...when is my baby coming?  Who knows...

I'm afraid that I don't feel desperate enough for him to come anytime soon.  I'm still relatively comfortable.  I have friends who were going nuts to deliver their babies,  I feel just fine.  I feel growing anticipation, but...I'm just trying to take it easy.  My doctor assures me that things will go a lot smoother if I'm relaxed, rested, and the baby comes when he wants.  COME OUT BABY!

Jonathan and I spent Saturday night walking through a giant mall in hopes of putting me into labor.  I felt some pain, mostly in my lower back, but no signs of labor.  Since this week is his Spring Break, we are planning on spending every day walking for a least two hours hoping to shake Baby Boy Strads out.  Jonathan's mom claims that ice cream sundaes put her into labor. Although that does sound like a tasty proposition, eating an ice cream sundae every day for the next 2+ weeks, is sure to send me on a roller coaster ride of sugar highs and fits of depression at the ever growing weight gain.  I'll just prepare myself for 3 more weeks of pregnancy, just in case.

Here's a picture taken of me on Sunday!

39 Weeks!!