Congratulations – you’ve made it through to your due date! In fact, only about 5% of babies are born on that day. It’s quite normal for them to be up to two weeks early or late. First babies are often late. You may well groan at the idea of waiting another two whole weeks! Every day after the due date seems like a year! If you are late, your doctor will monitor you carefully, and if there is any sign of stress on you or the baby, he will probably induce labor. Make sure he explains the procedure to you, and any risks involved, so that you can make your own decision.
No one knows for sure what causes labor to begin. It could be hormones produced by the baby, signaling that he is ready to arrive. The moment finally comes! You may begin having regular contractions, which become more intense and closer together. Sometimes the first sign is a show of blood and mucous on your panties. And sometimes it begins with the waters breaking. First babies generally take longer to arrive after labor has begun.
All that hard work and preparation now pays off. Many women stop worrying as soon as labor begins, and are quite calm throughout. Others may need more reassurance. When you reach the stage where nothing pleases you, everything Dad or the midwife says or does is wrong, and you absolutely refuse to cope with the pain any longer, take heart. This is usually the sign that second stage labor is close, and you are almost there!
Finally, you will experience the most wonderful moment of your life, when your newborn infant is really there, lying on your tummy, perfect in every detail, and indescribably precious to you.
Yes, the 40 weeks of waiting and discomfort really are worthwhile!