Confusion about due date

[Anonymous]

My due date is October 14th. I have a scheduled c-section (due to medical history) for October 5th. Does the due date mean that you are officially in your 39th week? I'm confused because I've been under the impression that I entered a new week every Friday, which for me, would mean I wouldn't hit 39 weeks until two days after my due date.

Thanks for any clarification someone can provide on the definition of what a due date actually means!!

[Anonymous]

DH is constantly reminding me how this all works

So your due date is Oct. 14. On Oct. 7 you will be into your 40th week. On Oct 8, you'll be 39 weeks 1 day. So you will have technically fully completed your 39th week and be into your 40th. On Oct. 14 you'll be a full 40 weeks and then you'd move into your 41st week. Does that make sense? So if you deliver on Oct. 5 you'll be in your 39th week but won't have completed that 39th week until Oct. 8.

I find this all SO confusing so hopefully I didn't add more confusion for you! GL!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you previous poster. If your calculations are correct, then it makes me feel better but I'm hesitant to say that they are, when applied to me. I just had an appointment last Friday and I know the OB said I was measuring at 35 weeks, when I was under the impression I was beginning my 36th week. I've just been having concerns that this scheduled c-section will be conducted too early....

[Anonymous]

Remember that the measurements are just one of many indicators. If all the way through your pregnancy (dating your LMP, measuring baby at ultrasounds) the dates are on target, then the measurement may just mean that you and/or your baby are on the smaller side of the bell curve of size.

I agree with the PP about how to count your pregnancy. If you are concerned though, by all means talk to your OB.

Best of luck for a healthy and happy delivery!

[Anonymous]

You count weeks like birthdays. So if you were in your 36th week, you would be 35 weeks along. So I think you're OK.

[Anonymous]

All the books say that belly measurements tend to only be accurate until the last few weeks - at that point all bets are off b/c babies really do start to grow at different rates then.

[Anonymous]

OP here again. Thank you all for making me feel better. I did some research online and like original PP stated, I was a little behind on my calculations of weeks. I checked out this page: http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,4400,00.html