Do you know what percentage of babies come on their Due Date? Go on, take a guess....
It's 5%. That's right! That means a whopping 95% of babies do not come on their Due Date.
So the chances are your due date will be like any other day. If your baby is already here then your due date will pass without recognition as you enjoy your newborn bubble. And if your baby is late, it will pass like any other day, resulting in the biggest anticlimax ever.
Then comes the influx of texts from family and friends: "Do you have news yet?", "Feeling any movement?", "Any signs?". So not only are you coping with your own disappointment, but the outside pressure from others too. Hmph!
Here's some things you can do to ease pressure surrounding your due date:
1. Towards the end of pregnancy when people ask again when you're due, be vague... "end of the month", "beginning of January", or "in a few weeks time". This will take the pressure off one date and the influx of texts.
2. Book something nice to do on your Due Date. For example, a little date night with your partner, or a family day out if it's your second. Not only will it serve as a distraction but it means if nothing happens, if you something else to enjoy the day for.
3. R-E-L-A-X - easier said than done right? Practising relaxation is soooo good for your body; mentally and physically. When your mind is relaxed, your body is relaxed. And when your body is relaxed, your mind is relaxed. Attending my Hypnobirthing course will give you all the skills and techniques to practise relaxation.
4. Try my top tips on "Getting Labour Started" - there are many natural ways you can get labour started, and I've heard lots of success in each and everyone of them. View the blog here.
My personal experience Now I'm going to share my personal experience on due dates. My first son's labour started on his due date, just period-type-twinges, although I didn't go into active labour until the next day. So it came as a real shock when my second son went overdue by 15 days, yes 15 days!!! The messages and disappointment not to mention desperation were so consuming. I did everything I possibly could to get baby out, but I'll let you in on a secret... Baby will only come once you relax. That's why most of us go into labour at night; when we're most relaxed. I had an eventful time at the end of my second pregnancy, only when I accepted defeat and packed my hospital bag for a c-section at 15 days overdue did the weight come off my shoulders. I'd held on long enough, I'd done everything I could, let's get this baby out. I relaxed by accepting my fate. And then guess what...I went into spontaneous labour. I felt like I'd won the lottery! What's important to bear in mind here is that your Due Date is not an expiration date. Which means to say, that if baby hasn't arrived by your due date that doesn't mean it's downhill from there on. If there are no medical concerns then it muse just be worth hanging on... Sit tight, do your research and do what's right for you and your baby.
For more information on all my upcoming courses, click here.
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I've got you!
Georgia x
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