I have a thing about due dates. Not that you shouldn't have a good idea of when your baby is likely to arrive, but the EDD, or Estimated Due Date, has become a sentence of sorts: If baby doesn't come by your EDD, he is "overdue". Practitioners tend to get nervous when this date comes and goes, and will often begin suggesting induction or even a scheduled cesarean. There's also the subtle undertone of failure for Mom - "You couldn't get your baby out in time; there must be something wrong with your body. You're going to need help".
I couldn't disagree more. The fact that the human race has made it this far is a good indicator that women know how to have babies. And babies know when they're ready to be born. Labor begins when the baby releases a small amount of oxytocin (the hormone that stimulates contractions), signaling to Mom that he's ready to roll. If the EDD has passed and baby hasn't come, it simply means he's not ready yet. Like a Thanksgiving turkey, your baby can stay in the oven until he's perfectly cooked.
So while an EDD is a great guide for when you should have the crib assembled, try not to be married to a date on a calendar. Your body knows what to do, and so does your baby. Trust yourself, listen to your body, and enjoy this precious time.
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