#  Going Past Your Due Date 

 

      ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/77ae6c9c-8b4b-4d7b-81cf-3d9350a8c9e3/BMC_01-29_3-4-Misc-Induction?io=transform:fill,width:1000px&format=webp)  

 

## What to Expect When Baby Takes a Little Longer 

It’s common to feel uncertain—or even impatient—when your due date passes and your baby hasn’t arrived. But in most cases, going a little past your due date is completely normal.

## What Is a Due Date? 

- [Your due date](https://www.inductiondecisionaid.org/) is the estimated day your baby might be born.
- Most pregnancies last about 40 weeks.
- Only about 1 in 20 babies are born on their exact due date.
- Most babies are born between 37 and 42 weeks.

## Is It Normal to Go Past My Due Date? 

- Yes, especially if your pregnancy is healthy.
- It's very common to go past your due date.
- About half of all babies are born within 5 days after their due date.

## What Can I Do? 

Here are some steps to help keep you and your baby healthy:

- Go to all your prenatal visits.
- [Check your baby’s movements](/bump-beyond/during-pregnancy/medical-care/fetal-growth-restriction).
- [Learn more](https://www.inductiondecisionaid.org/) about your options for starting labor.
- Talk with your care team about your wishes and make a plan together.

## What Can My Care Team Do? 

Your provider will check in with you and your baby more often to make sure everything is going well:

- Monitor your baby’s heartbeat with special tests
- Check your [amniotic](/bump-beyond/labor-and-birth/complications/what-oligohydramnios-low-amniotic-fluid) fluid with an ultrasound
- Talk with you about [induction](/bump-beyond/labor-and-birth/preparing-birth/how-prepare-labor-and-birth), which means starting labor with medicine or other methods if needed

## What Are My Choices? 

You and your care team will decide what’s best based on your health, your baby’s health, and your preferences.

- Wait for labor to start naturally: With regular check-ins to make sure baby is safe
- [Induce](/bump-beyond/labor-and-birth/preparing-birth/how-prepare-labor-and-birth) labor: Your care team may recommend starting labor after 41 weeks.

Every pregnancy is different. Talk with your provider about what feels right for you.

## Additional Resources 

- [Your Choice: Wait for Labor or Induction (Decision Aid)](<https://www.inductiondecisionaid.org/  >)
- [Evidence-Based Birth: Evidence on Inducing for Due Dates](https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-inducing-labor-for-going-past-your-due-date/)
- [When Pregnancy Goes Past Your Due Date ](https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/when-pregnancy-goes-past-your-due-date)