• image.alt
  • With Mayo Clinic certified nurse-midwife

    Mary M. Murry, R.N., C.N.M.

    read biography
The Mayo Clinic Diet Book, learn more

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

  • Pregnancy and you blog

  • Oct. 4, 2011

    Overdue baby: Will this baby ever be born?

    By Mary M. Murry, R.N., C.N.M.

13 comments posted

It's easy to get attached to your due date. It's one of the first things you want to know when you find out you're pregnant — and when you share the news, the first question people ask is, "When are you due?" Still, there's nothing magical about your due date. It's simply an estimate of when your baby will be born. That's why the official term is estimated date of delivery, or EDD.

At the beginning of pregnancy, you might feel as though you're rushing toward your due date. Thoughts of an overdue baby don't even cross your mind. At the end of pregnancy, though, time can seem to stand still. Your due date might creep toward you with every day seeming to be longer than the last. People see you coming and ask one of the silliest questions: "You haven't had that baby yet?" Your mother calls every day and if you don't answer she checks with the hospital to find out if you're there. Your overdue baby might leave you with swollen legs and feet, a bladder the size of an olive, sore hips from trying to lie on your side, and enough heartburn to convince you that he or she will have a ponytail at birth.

So what happens when you have an overdue baby? It can be devastating to watch your due date come and go uneventfully. In fact, though, many women deliver after their due date — and it's possible that you will, too. Unless there are complications for you or the baby, there's no reason to consider an induction right away. If you and your baby are healthy, it's generally best to wait until labor begins on its own.

To make sure that your overdue baby is thriving, your health care provider might recommend a nonstress test — a simple test that uses a fetal monitor to check how your baby's heart rate reacts to his or her movements. You might also have an ultrasound to measure the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby. Typically, these tests offer reassurance that all is well with the baby.

If your pregnancy continues a week or two past your due date, ask your health care provider when he or she would recommend inducing labor. If you decide to proceed with an induction for your overdue baby, discuss the various methods available. Be sure you know the risks for both you and the baby.

Above all, do your best to remain patient. Remind yourself and others that the vast majority of babies come in their own time. You might even laugh about it. The baby hasn't arrived, and he or she is already ruling your schedule!

13 comments posted

blog index

  • April 6, 2013 8:55 p.m.

    I am just over 37 weeks and set to have a third planned c-section. I have been certain since the beginning of this pregnancy that I was at least 2 weeks further than dr thought. I am so misserable, going pee at least 10 times a night and cant sleep on either side without hips aching severely. I have allot of pain when I walk and just very uncomforterable! I want this to be over so badly!

    - jess

  • March 29, 2013 11:18 p.m.

    Thank you so much for this article! I am 41 weeks 1 day, so 8 days overdue. But I hate that word overdue because how do we know I am? The due date is a guesstimate. The same method that is used today to guesstimate due dates was used in the 1800s. I am anxious and have taken Bradley classes and am prepared for a natural birth, but it's hard with doctors and the hospital. It's like you're on a time clock and if you get to what seems like 42 weeks then they have to induce you. If you are lucky enough to have a home birth and/or midwife enjoy it! I have an HMO and this was not an option for me unless I could afford to pay out of pocket. Anyway the anxiety has me searching the Internet for articles to quell my anxiety and this one definitely helped. Thanks!

    - Michelle

  • March 24, 2013 2:24 p.m.

    I have never been so disappointed in my life. I was due to have my first child on 3/11/13, which came and went with little recognition from the little boy playing inside. I, like all first time mothers was anxious and ready to hold him, so at the ob appointment after my due date passed I asked about induction. I was told she would not induce before 41 weeks if the baby was healthy(which bpp and nst said he was). I was sad. She decided we would induce at 41 weeks 3 days(3/21). I went to the hospital at 6am, undressed and bared my soul, ready to be poked and prodded on in exchange for my little miracle. At 8pm I was sent home. No change in my cervix and the 12+ hours of contractions that I had been having(but not feeling for some odd reason) counted for nothing and again, I had to leave my second "due" date with no baby. Now they just don't know what they are going to do. I am 42 weeks tomorrow and don't even have another induction planned. Guess the OB has given up on me ever having my baby too. Very sad indeed...

    - ruth

  • March 21, 2013 5:37 p.m.

    My son was due jan. 20th and born the 30th. We were induced the 28th, and twice on the 29th and my water broken and went into labour late the 29th. They underestimated his size, 7lbs vs. 8lbs5oz and breeched (his face sideways) which they didn't know about until I had an emergency csection at midnight. I felt no contractions during the entire time. Honestly if I waited it would have been even worse and wish I could have just bypassed the induction all together. From 2 weeks prior to the due date, I ate pineapples, 2-3hrs walks and 2hrs lapse in the pool daily and still nothing. I don't think my body would ever have ready to do it. I'm 6months pregnant with #2 and feeling Braxton hicks (something I didn't have with baby #1) but still having a RCS.

    - Jen

  • February 11, 2013 10:25 p.m.

    You are right V, our bodies usually know what they are doing. As much as we try to predict the future, we are not in charge of it. I hope you have gone in labor on your own and are home enjoying your baby.

    - Mary @ Mayo.com

  • February 8, 2013 11:05 a.m.

    My midwife warned me to stay calm and relaxed as the due date approached. She said I would probably go past it (as most first time moms do). Well, I really had no idea what she was talking about because I have been pretty patient and relaxed with tons of fun things to do and people to see everyday....but then the due date came and went and, boy, was she right...everyday just gets longer! I'm really trying to stay in good spirits and in fact, I'm a little nervous about birth, but I'm running out of things to do! I'm 6 days past due at this point. My husband is gone all day and I'm tired of seeing people...and imagining that there could be another week of this is dreadful!! If I knew ahead of time that the anxiety and the anticipation are this real, I'd prepare better; but I got, sort of, caught up in it.... BUT the good thing is that by the time I'm ready to give birth not much fear will be left and even now I am sooo ready!!! I just really hope I wont have to get induced.......good luck to everyone! Just remember, as much as the medical field praises itself, doctors do not know everything, but our bodies (usually) do!

    - V

  • January 28, 2013 8:24 p.m.

    My mothers due date was for Jan. 9th. I was born March 5th. Everything was fine but now I'm wondering if staying in the womb too long was bad for me. I'm 42 but my body is more like 62. Problems with my lungs, teeth, brain, joints.

    - Donna

  • September 18, 2012 1:13 p.m.

    I am only 30 weeks along but I'm already trying to remind myself not to focus so much on my due date. I have talked to people who - looking at my size - say I'll go 2 weeks early. I've also talked to friends who said that they were told the same thing and instead went 2 weeks over! I'm trying to adopt the motto "He'll come when he's ready!"

    - Therese

  • August 20, 2012 6:49 a.m.

    Yes, i am at my 39th week and waiting desperately for my baby to arrive. I have had swollen legs from my thighs to foot for almost 2 and a half month and it pains a lot but still i have kept my patience as i know whenever my baby comes into my life that day will b the best day of my life and all this pain will b worth it.

    - Soniya

  • June 21, 2012 5:17 a.m.

    I'm 39 wks will be 40 wks a few dys from now my due date hasn't met which will be 26 a few days from now I'm so worried wanting to know if my babay boy won't eva wanna come out. Grieving heart.

    - Candy

  • June 7, 2012 2:34 p.m.

    Excellent article, thanks! :)

    - Laia

  • April 29, 2012 1:29 a.m.

    You are so funny! And so right.... the first months of my pregnancy flew by, and now, I'm eight months and time HAS stood still! The suspense is unbearable! :s

    - Nikki

  • January 19, 2012 5:20 p.m.

    My daughter has had a very normal first pregnancy eating organically and taking good care of herself. Emily is 26. She was planning a home water birth with a midwife but at 42 weeks tomorrow, her dream birth is fading. Her membranes have been swept and castor oil administered. Two days later (today) the midwife did a repeat and added an herb drop concoction. Tonight they may break her water. If nothing happens by morning she's off to the hospital. She has even been seeing a prenatal chiropractor for two months. If there something we're missing here? We so wanted to skip the hospital routine but do we now face pitocin and possible c-section. As her mom, I've supported her every step of the way.

    - Ellen

Post a comment
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger