A More Realistic Term Than "Due Date"

Did you know that only 4% of women give birth on their due date? In fact, the average gestation for a first time mom to birth her baby is 41 weeks and 3 days. Thinking about a "due date" makes me think of library books. Library books are due on a definite day, and if you go past that date and are still holding onto those books you're in trouble! Fines start to accrue as soon as you pass that date, and if you wait too long to release those books you'll lose your library privileges. Semantics matter, my friends. A mom's uterus, placenta, umbilical cord, fluid, and baby don't expire on her due date. The normal range for a full-term birth is anywhere from 37-42 weeks. 'Tis but a guess...which is why I use the term "guess date." Doesn't that feel different when you say it? GUESS DATE. Did you feel the parameters opening up for when your baby "should" arrive? The 37-42 week range also makes "due month" a semantically sound term. 4% isn't a very accurate rate. 4+ weeks is.