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Aug 12
37m 11s

[POWER REPLAY] Understanding Your Due Da...

Dr. Nicole C. Rankins
About this episode

This week’s episode is a power replay of a listener favorite all about... your due date! Yep, that little date carries a whole lot of weight. From test scheduling to birth decisions, your due date impacts nearly everything during pregnancy, which is why it’s so important to get it right.

But here’s the truth: only about 4% of babies are actually born on their due date. In this updated episode, I explain why I actually hate the term “due date” and what I think we should be doing instead. You’ll learn how due dates are determined, why accuracy matters so much, what a suboptimally dated pregnancy means, and what your real options are if you go past your due date.

We also talk about the risks of late-term and post-term pregnancies, and why informed, individualized decision-making is the most empowering approach.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why your due date is so much more than just a countdown
  • The most accurate way to determine your due date (hint: it's all about timing)
  • What happens if your pregnancy goes beyond 40 or even 42 weeks
  • Why due dates shouldn’t be treated like expiration dates
  • What stillbirth risk actually looks like — and how it changes week by week
  • Your options if you go past your due date and how to make the best choice for you

✨ Ready to stay informed and empowered throughout your pregnancy journey? Join my email list at drnicolerankins.com/email for exclusive updates, discounts, and more expert tips delivered straight to your inbox.





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