It's a Due Date, Not An Expiration Date

Fact: The average length of pregnancy in first-time mothers is 41 weeks and 1 day.  The average length of pregnancy in women with prior births is 40 weeks and 3 days.  (Source)

Today, September 14, 2011 is my "official" due date.

This date was calculated based on my ovulation date of December 22, 2010.  Remember my post about different ways to measure the length of a pregnancy?   How about ways to just measure time?  If you're measuring months, most folks I know go by the date.  So today, at the 40 week mark, I am almost 9 months pregnant.  If I make it to the "average" of 41 weeks and 1 day, it will be September 22. 

December 22, 2010 to September 22, 2011 = 9 months exactly!  I love numbers.  And it just so happens that 22 is my lucky number.  My birthday is June 22, which actually makes the day I got pregnant my half-birthday.

All this to say that I'm pretty sure I'm not having a baby today.  My doctor checked me again yesterday and I'm still 50% effaced and 1cm dilated.  I'm still sleeping well and have only recently started getting up to pee once during the night.  This started about a week ago and I'm thanking my lucky stars that I can get up, go, and fall right back into bed without any issues.  I'm trying to get as much uninterrupted sleep as I can...while I still have the option.  :)

Unfortunately I think I may just be the only person around here that is ok with today being my due date and my feeling like this baby just isn't ready.  I can't call anyone because I'm afraid to get people's hopes up.  Anytime I do call someone I have to start the conversation right away with "Hi, I'm not in labor...."  My mom calls me every day and we chat about how it's going - luckily she keeps telling me "no pressure" but she's the only one!

My in-laws are coming out to stay with us this weekend.  Uninvited.  They're staying for an undetermined amount of time.  Talk about pressure...it's ridiculous.  I'm not going to rush this child out of me!  This is what my body was made for and this is the first time I have done this.  LET. ME. BE. It will happen when it happens and I'm ready and waiting for when that time comes.

Every day I feel like I have to remind someone (usually Dave) that it's a DUE DATE - not an EXPIRATION DATE.  This little watermelon in my belly has all the power - starting very early on!  Our whole lives will revolve around her and I, for the time being, am perfectly ok with letting her call the shots.  Especially when it comes to her own birthday!!

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As you can see, I've already called the 22nd as the day I think she will come.  Anyone else care to venture a guess??  If you correctly guess the date I'll even send you a prize package.  I'm thinking some chocolate, Larabars, tea/coffee and a fancy mug to go with it....so let the guessing begin!  (Also, I know my doctor will NOT let me go past 42 weeks so the cutoff date is September 28th.)