How reliable is the EDD?

Question

Hi,
I know Dr's won't let you go more than two weeks over the due date and also that the due date given isn't exact but can drs get it wrong with as much as 4-5 weeks? Is it possible to go 4-5 weeks over your due date without seeing it on the placenta and the baby (if drs still think the edd is correct)??
pls advise

Answer 1

If you've had a first trimester ultrasound then they would have been able to date the pregnancy pretty accurately, but to get through an entire pregnancy with good qualilty prenatal care and be 4-5 weeks out would be indeed very rare.

An EDD is about 2-5% accurate, however 95% of babies are born within the 37-42 week bandwidth.

They usually don't allow women to go past 42 weeks as the placental function can be seriously compromised, and the baby can be starved of oxygen, becoming distressed.

If you are convinced your doctor has got it wrong the best thing I can think of is to see a second opinion. Arm yourself with whatever information you can before you see another doctor or midwife regarding your LMP/conception dates and medical history.

Answer 2

As long as you are sure about the first day of your last period the EDC is usually a rough estimate, give or take 2 weeks, of when your baby will be born. As for 4-5 weeks overdue that is unlikely. The placenta doesn't work as well after the due date that is why they only allow you to go 2 weeks over.

Answer 3

my 2nd child was due on 12th jan 1996 and arrived on 3rd feb 1996. i was induced then because i lied and said the movements were decreasing. after 3 hours of induced labour she became really distressed and i had an emergency section within 20 minutes. there is research which shows that the function of the placenta decreases after a while and the baby may not have enough reserves to survive labour. i knew without a doubt that my baby was due on the 12th jan as i had only had sex with my husband once in the month in question but they insisted i was wrong and put my due date forward by nearly 2 weeks at the ultrasound scan. i went into natural labour on 14th jan but it stopped when i got to the hospital and they sent me home as i was early by their dates. i had also had some leakage of amniotic fluid which they chose to dismiss completely. when my daughter was born she showed the classic signs of being overdue such as dry skin. i really don't know why she didn't come naturally but i was moving house at the time and i think the stress may have had something to do with it. doctors can get it wrong and if you are 100% sure they are don't let them fob you off. however, babies born at 35/36 weeks can still have problems so be 100% sure. good luck

Answer 4

My doctor (whom I don't care for, be she's tempoary until after we move) has been putting my date at Sept. 14. The ultrasound techniction put the date at Sept. 21. My husband, by his calculations, has put me at 25 weeks along, this week. We're moving from a suburb of Detroit to Columbus, OH Aug. 12. By Sept. 1, I'm going to be packed and ready to go to the hospital. All of these dates are estimated. She could come Sept. 1, or she could come Sept. 30. Anything that late in the month, though, and I know I'll be concerned. Right now, I'm not overly worried. I'm healthy, she seems healthy and it's only June 18. I'm more concerned about moving as that's the first big thing.

Answer 5

On your EDD don't for get that it is ESTIMATED, and that these Dr's are PRACTICING medicine. So nothing is in concrete.

For instance, I told my husband that I would have our baby around the 15th of September last year,based on when I knew I was ovulating, and when we had sex, my last period etc. The Dr.s told me that my due date was Oct 10th. I had my son on Sept 18. So much for modern medicine, and the same thing happened with my first son, my "due date" was July 28th, and I my due date as July 3rd, I had him July 6th!!

What the important thing is to make sure to keep up with your doc's appointments as they are very important, and will give you the best chance of the "round about" time, making sure that gestation is good, that the baby is healthy and things are going as they should. With ultrasounds and regular visits you should have a general idea.

Congrats on your new addition!!

Answer 6

I've had 3 children. One was born exactly on his EDD after a 30 hour delivery. One was 2 weeks early and my last one was a month early so it depends on the baby. Friends of mine have gone overdue on all of their pregnancies. Even scans can be wrong measuring size of babies. My best friend was told her 2nd son would be 5lb full term, he ended up being 8lbs 6oz!!! LOL Babies generally are a rule to themselves. If you are feeling ok, let your body decide when labour should begin. What matters is the baby, not doctors schedules.

Answer 7

Yes you can go that far passed your EDD with no harm. EDD=ESTIMATED due date. Doctors are not Gods, they can only guess by what we tell them, by what machines and instruments tell them, educated guesses, and average lengths for cycles and pregnancies.

Personally, I don't think induction just because you've gone beyond a certain date is wise. But I DO think beyond a certain point you should be monitored as if the dates are correct there could be placental deterioration and other things that can be detrimental to both you and your baby.

Answer 8

The exact edd is 5% accurate