06/28/2026
The biggest mistake I see expecting mamas make? Expecting their baby to come early. After supporting births for 27 years, I've watched so many parents reach the end of their pregnancy and start spiraling..."What's wrong with my body?""Why hasn't my baby come yet?""Am I failing?"The answer is... nothing is wrong.Your due date is an estimate, not an expiration date. In fact, only about 5% of babies are born on their actual due date, and while every pregnancy is unique, many first-time mamas give birth closer to 40 weeks + 4 days to 41 weeks. I know those last few weeks can feel endless. You're uncomfortable. You're excited. You're beyond ready to meet your baby. And then come the constant texts and phone calls... "Any baby yet?" They usually mean well, but they can make you feel like you're somehow behind.Here's what I want you to remember...Just because you're ready doesn't always mean your baby is.Your baby is still doing incredibly important work. Their brain is continuing to grow and organize. Their lungs are maturing. Their nervous system is developing. They're laying down brown fat, which helps regulate their body temperature after birth and supports them as they transition while your milk comes in. Your body isn't failing. Your baby isn't "late."They're arriving in their own perfect, divine timing. Also your body is still ripening to prepare for birth. It's also a great time to cultivate patience something that will help you tremendously when you became a mother. One of my favorite pieces of advice? From the very beginning, tell everyone you're due about a month later than you actually are—or simply say something like, "We're expecting our baby sometime this fall." Trust me... it saves you from countless texts asking if the baby has arrived. Instead of counting down to one specific day, think of the time around your due date as a window, not a deadline. For most healthy pregnancies, that window spans approximately 37 to 42 weeks, and babies don't all read the same calendar.Trust your body. Trust your baby. Birth isn't about arriving on a date. It's about arriving when both mamas body and baby are both ready. 📸 BIRDEE | Fine Art & Underwater Photographer
