Your EDD is a GUESS Date
In HypnoBirthing, we highly recommend that you DO NOT focus on an EDD or Estimated Due Date, but focus on a Due Time of Month.
EDD is called ‘estimated’ due dates, as they are Guess Dates only.
EDD’s have the ability to to put unnecessary pressure on you and your baby. Your baby will not have been given the memo about the EDD, and will most likely not come on that date, and will then be classified as ‘late’. Focusing on a more realistic time of month (like; mid-late June) will take the pressure off you and your baby. Your baby will come when he/she is ready, not to a scheduled date.
Let’s look at some EDD Facts:
- An EDD of 40 weeks is a childbirth myth that has become deeply embedded in our culture and maternity model of care.
- Normal gestation for a pregnancy is 38 – 42 weeks. That is a wide window, so focusing on a date can cause a mother to feel that her baby is late.
- The EDD is based around Naegeles Rule (a formula publicized in 1812 by a German obstetrician, Franz Naegele). He based it upon evidence from the bible that human gestation lasts approx. 10 lunar months. We have been led to believe that 280 days is an average gestation, but there is a glaring flaw in this rule, as 10 lunar months calculates to 295 days, a full 15 days longer than what we’ve been led to believe.
- There are variations to the rule of the EDD, as 1st time pregnancy gestation will differ from subsequent pregnancies.
- The EDD is also calculated on the 28 day cycle, and if a woman’s cycle is significantly longer than 28 days her baby may be forced out early, which can result in a premature baby with potential health risks at birth.
- Only 3% – 5% of babies are born on their EDD.
- 26% of labours in Australia are induced, the most common cause is ‘prolonged pregnancy’.
- Measuring a babies gestation via ultrasound is not accurate, as there is a 10% window with ultrasound measurement.
So let’s not focus on the EDD you’ve been given from now on. Who wants pressure? Not you!
Here’s to a relaxed and pressure free pregnancy!
Read our blog ‘Whatever is going to get my labour started’, and learn more your due time, and the importance of avoiding unnecessary interventions.
