what really causes a baby to be overdue, is it possible that i didnt get pregnant when i thought i did?

Answer 1

A due date is simply a best guess estimate of when a baby will be born. There are numerous factors that come in to play that determine the time the baby will actually come. The method commonly used to determine a due date is based on a 28 day menstrual cycle with ovulation occuring on the 14th day. Since all women's cycles are different and can even vary from cycle to cycle, this makes the due date calendar based on an average. You must also factor in the fact that sperm can live inside a woman's body easily for 2-3 days and even up to 7 days if conditions are optimal. An egg can live 12-24 hours after ovulation. So, while it may seem as if you got pregnant the day you had sexual intercourse, it is possible the actual conception took place as much as 7 days later depending on when you ovulate. Additionally, the onset of labor is dependent on hormones to fire the starting gun to signal everything is ready. Diet, exercise, emotions, and general health can all effect hormones function. Ultrasounds can be useful tools to help determine a due date, but they are still going to have a window of 2 weeks on either side of a due date. Each doctor has their own way of handling overdue babies and each has their own time frame of what they consider overdue. Generally it is considered to be full-term if your baby comes anywhere between 37-42 weeks. I am a mom to 4 kids who were all born past their due dates by 9 days, 11 days, 5 days, and 7 days. The first 3, my doctor said just wait and let nature take its time. With my 4th, I had Gestational Diabetes and going a week over was as long as they'd let me go naturally. They began by giving me a prostoglandin gel insertion to hopefully get my cervix thinning and softening, but I had a horrible reaction to it. I began having 6 minute contractions and my baby went into distress with an alarmingly low heart rate. They prepped me for a pitocin drip, but I ended up not needing it and went into to full-blown labor naturally. In my experience, beginning the induction process made for a very intense labor compared to the other 3 who I went into labor naturally. If you are less than 2 weeks past your due date, most doctors still consider that OK as long as there are no medical concerns. After 2 weeks there are several potential risks inculding breaking down of the placenta which can cause problems.

Answer 2

Overdue Pregnancy Causes

Answer 3

Yeah it is possible for you to have gotten pg at a slightly different time, but the baby has a mind of it's own, lol. When the baby is ready it sends out a hormone to signal moms body that it is time and then mom's body takes it from there and starts up the labor process. If baby, or mom are in danger the doctor will decide whether or not to induce. The doctor most likely won't let you get to two weeks overdue and he/she especially won't let you go over 2wk overdue because the placenta starts breaking down and can pose dangers to the baby.

Also as for the conception..... I was charting my cycles this last time I got pg.... so I had the exact day of conception.... however baby decided to go 5 days overdue.

Answer 4

It is possible that you didn't conceive when you thought you did, but if that due date was made by ultrasound early in pregnancy it isn't likely because they are fairly accurate. Some people just go overdue, it's natural, maybe the baby just needs more time before it's ready for the outside world. Either way, no need to rush nature, as long as mommy and baby come out of it okay.

Answer 5

The baby will make his/her arrival when ready. Today Dr.s can check to see how the baby is doing. If all is well they will usually let the little guy decide when the time is right. If the Doc feels the baby is ready or if he feels that the baby is in any kind of stress or Mom is having problems he may choose to induce. Due dates are approximate. You can estimate about 2 weeks before to 2 weeks after due dates

Answer 6

It's possible...doctors can only estimate within a certain perimeter of precision. Due dates are only an average...the midpoint between the 4 weeks when most women go into labor. Doctors generally, any good doctor, will not let you go more than 2 weeks past your due date since stillbirth risk goes way up at that point.

Answer 7

it is very possible. --- my DR informed me when I was pregnant that the conception date and due date are relative, but they could be off by 2 weeks because it is not *exact*, but the further on the pregnancy goes, the easier and easier it gets to determine the exact conception dte and due date, but it is still not set in stone. So it could be one of those small variations in the science, it could be the baby just isnt ready, it could be a lot of different things -- but if you start going too far past your due date, they will want to induce you -- so just try to relax, do some things that help to induce labor -- like taking long walks, really hot baths, a lot of activity, sex, spicey foods, eggplant. etc etc and if it gets too far along, ask your DR if they can induce you

Answer 8

Why Are Babies Overdue

Answer 9

No one knows exactly why babies go overdue, nor what exactly triggers labour...some experts believe it's linked to the baby's adrenal gland...one link I read an article on the other day called that the 'Nobel Prize Question'...I wish I could find it for you...whoever figures that out will be heralded for generations. :)

You would know if your dates had been off...you would have known months ago.

Answer 10

that's just the way things are sometimes... make sure you are going to the doctor regularly, they will give you special medicine to induce the baby, but only when your doctor tells you it's time. Usually no more than a few weeks from the due date.