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The 40 week gestational period
Gaia's Child on Tue May 06, 2008 4:29 pm
One thing I did not realise up until I read something a couple of days ago, is that menstrual cycle length can be indicative of gestational length. That is, if you have a longer menstrual cycle length, your natural gestational length will be over that 40 week standard.
Here's some info:
http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/133/6/585
http://www.kidslife.com.au/article.asp?ContentID=calculating_the_date_of_your_babys_arrival
A 'normal' EDD is calculated based on a twenty eight day cycle. But of course, not all women have a twenty eight day cycle. This is all further confused by the use of contraceptive pills, which can create a 28 day cycle in women who, without the pill, may have irregular or longer menstrual cycles.
I was in that boat- formerly irregular periods managed with the pill- so it seems plausible now that, despite the fact I was overdue on paper, Bodhi was born before he was ready. Mmm. Another one to chalk up to experience I guess...
Here's some info:
http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/133/6/585
http://www.kidslife.com.au/article.asp?ContentID=calculating_the_date_of_your_babys_arrival
A 'normal' EDD is calculated based on a twenty eight day cycle. But of course, not all women have a twenty eight day cycle. This is all further confused by the use of contraceptive pills, which can create a 28 day cycle in women who, without the pill, may have irregular or longer menstrual cycles.
I was in that boat- formerly irregular periods managed with the pill- so it seems plausible now that, despite the fact I was overdue on paper, Bodhi was born before he was ready. Mmm. Another one to chalk up to experience I guess...
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Re: The 40 week gestational period
Janet on Tue May 06, 2008 5:16 pm
I don't believe in those dating things 
Basically every single way of "predicting" an EDD is total guesswork. Just because we can label the weeks of pregnancy somewhat accurately in some women, and very accurately in others, has no actual bearing on when the baby will come anyway. And I absolutely can't see how there's a link between the length of my menstrual cycles and how long my baby takes to construct their own innards. How is there any relation? I have had one baby at 41+5 and one at 37 and all with the same menstrual cycle length. Basically all we need to do is remember that at 8-10 months from conception a woman will go into labour after the baby is physiologically ready to be without the placenta. If we just remembered that, it would all be so simple. Some babies are fine at 35 or 36 weeks, others need to gestate till 44 weeks or longer. We can't know who we're growing till they finish their hard work. The 40 week thing is a bullshit hospital myth so women don't gestate at all weird individual times and muck up their time and motion stuff. Truly, that's what it is. In France, for example, term EDDs are at 41 weeks which is, after all, closer to reality since about 80% of babies are born in the 41st week, not the 40th week anyway.
Basically every single way of "predicting" an EDD is total guesswork. Just because we can label the weeks of pregnancy somewhat accurately in some women, and very accurately in others, has no actual bearing on when the baby will come anyway. And I absolutely can't see how there's a link between the length of my menstrual cycles and how long my baby takes to construct their own innards. How is there any relation? I have had one baby at 41+5 and one at 37 and all with the same menstrual cycle length. Basically all we need to do is remember that at 8-10 months from conception a woman will go into labour after the baby is physiologically ready to be without the placenta. If we just remembered that, it would all be so simple. Some babies are fine at 35 or 36 weeks, others need to gestate till 44 weeks or longer. We can't know who we're growing till they finish their hard work. The 40 week thing is a bullshit hospital myth so women don't gestate at all weird individual times and muck up their time and motion stuff. Truly, that's what it is. In France, for example, term EDDs are at 41 weeks which is, after all, closer to reality since about 80% of babies are born in the 41st week, not the 40th week anyway._________________
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Re: The 40 week gestational period
kilmeny on Sat Jun 27, 2009 6:58 pm
bump can we have a discussion of 10 moons please?
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Re: The 40 week gestational period
Gaia's Child on Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:15 am
Yes! For sure. You better kick it off though, as you have the book and info (I've asked Daniel to get it for me for our anniversary...which is three months away 
)
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Re: The 40 week gestational period
kilmeny on Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:41 pm
Is nearly bed time, will be back later.
kilmeny- Awakening her Divine Power
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