When your due date lands around the holidays

Happy December 1st, friends! How is it the last month of 2021?! I don't know about you, but I'm still processing 2020. I'm nowhere near ready for 2022!

I wanted to take a second to talk to you pregnant mamas- especially  those due around Christmas (or New Years, or Fourth of July, or Thanksgiving, or any holiday!). 

If you look at the statistics surrounding babies' birthdays around holidays, you'll notice a shocking number of them fall right before the actual day of celebration. You know why? Because many care providers encourage inductions or c-sections right before the holidays so they can have the freedom to enjoy their day without interruption. 

Don't get me wrong, I love my holidays too- but I'm a big believer in letting babies come when they come. You see, we are just now learning so much about pregnancy, gestation and due dates. For instance, did you know that 40 weeks isn't a normal gestation for all babies? That's right. Some babies need 42, or 43, or 44. Some babies only need 38 or 39. Just like your baby is unique, so is their gestation. Oftentimes, parents are pressured into being induced at 39, 40 weeks because "you don't want your baby to get too big for you to birth" or "if you want your doctor to be the one there to help you, we really should induce you on this date". This is especially hard on moms who are neurodivergent- not only have we been taught our whole life that we can't trust our own instincts because we think "wrong", but oftentimes these appointments are so overwhelming to our senses that we don't even know how to advocate for ourselves. I'd like to spark the change of how these conversations go. So moms, next time you're in these appointments and you're feeling overwhelmed, here's some things you can say:

"I believe my body is more than capable of birthing the baby it grows. Can you please tell me the risks, benefits and facts surrounding gestation, and what my options are?" 

Or,

"Yes, it is important that my doctor be there for my birth. However, I'd like to avoid induction. I'd like a list of who the other physicians are and their schedules so I can be informed of who may be at my birth."

I am certainly not ragging on medical professionals or saying you should never be induced- what I AM saying is this is YOUR birth and the decision to be induced or not be induced is up to you. I encourage you to do your research and do what is best for you.

Join me in my Facebook community for more advice on induction from a doula’s perspective! 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemicrunchydoula