How many babies actually are born on their due date?

About 4% are actually born on the estimated due date (EDD). The best way for most moms to think of it is in terms of a "due month" instead of "due date." It's not unusual for babies to be born 2 weeks early or 2 weeks late, but 80% of all babies are born within the four week period around their EDD.

What if a baby "decides to be late?" Can that be a problem?

Usually the only problem is an exasperated mom who wants her baby to hurry up and get here! But seriously, in some rare cases, it really can become a problem. That's why the state protocols call for midwives to turn moms over to the care of a physician if they are more than 2 weeks past their EDD.

What kind of problems are you talking about?

Well, one of the more serious problems is placental insufficiency. As the placenta ages, it becomes less effective in passing nourishment and oxygen on to the baby. Another rare but possible problem can develop when the bones in the baby's skull begin to calcify.

So in these cases the doctor has to induce labor?

Yes. Like I said, these situations are rare, but in these cases induction can be in the best interest of the baby.

So if a mom hasn't delivered by two weeks past her due date, do you just automatically turn her over to a physician?

No, if we have not done an early sonogram to confirm dates, we will do one at this time to make sure the placenta is working sufficiently well to keep the baby safe for a while longer.

How does the sonogram work?

Ultrasound is used to get a "picture" of the baby and the amniotic sac. This will let us see if the baby is reacting well and if there is enough fluid to cushion the baby. If these tests (known as a biophysical profile) are good, then the parents may make the decision to wait a while longer before transferring to a physician for induction. The biophysical profile will be repeated often to keep close watch on the baby.

Have you ever had a mom whose baby just didn't seem to want to ever come out and induction was required?

To this point in my practice this has happened only twice, out of several hundred births. Both moms and the babies turned out to be just fine.

Is the possibility of a late baby a valid reason for a mom to be hesitant about home birth?

Absolutely not! A late term pregnancy is one of those "problems" that almost never turns out to be a serious problem at all. In the rare case when it is, the mom can rest assured that she has had excellent prenatal care, and we will simply help the mom to make the best possible decision about her choice of a physician.