Ah, the joys of being “overdue.” Not only may you feel frustrated with your very pregnant state, but it seems that everyone around you feels it is their job to inform you that you have left the bun (s) in the oven too long.
Instead of a an estimated date of delivery, it starts to mimic an expiration date. Besides the fact that first time mothers average 41 weeks and 1 day for gestation, due dates are not an exact science.
Here to help everyone take a deep breath(and keep them from tossing you with last week’s chinese take out) is Robin Elise Weiss, LCCE who published a lighthearted, yet valuable article on About.com addressing a variety of those lovely inquiries pregnant women receive once they pass the almighty EDD.
You can find the article here. Maybe you could carry extra copies around town with you and share them with an informed smile. Although this time can seem to drag, try to use it to pamper yourself and/or spend time with your partner. Going on walks in the evening to discuss your feelings surrounding the birth and becoming parents for the first or multiple times is not only a way to nurture your relationship, but can help get labor started!
One person has chimed in from the community.
You know what else I found helpful? Changing the greeting on my voicemail to say, “No, we haven’t had the baby yet. Yes, everyone is fine. We will call you when we’ve promised to when the time comes. Until then, feel free to leave a message about ANY. THING. ELSE.” lol
I had a lot of practice as I went 3 weeks past my due date one time.