QuestionHi,
I was asked a question by someone, asking "is it possible to have a 10 month pregnancy?". I didn't know the answer, although I had watched an interview where a celebrity had said that she was born 28 days later than her due date, so I used this to say that I guess it was possible. Then, someone else joined into the conversation by saying flat-out, as if there was no other answer, that is was definately not possible.
So I'm asking you this question in the hope that you can clarify it for me, and also tell me what happens when a foetus is "too late", ie. what mechanisms the body employs to 'get rid' of the foetus if it's been in the womb for too long, since I'm applying to study Medicine at University and am genuinely interested in the answer.
Thanks a lot,
Karan
AnswerA normal pregnancy is 40 weeks (from the first day of the last menstrual cycle). That is 10 lunar months (months with 28 days each). Of course some months have 30 days and some have 31 days and one has 28 days so a pregnancy often is 9 calendar months.). When we give a due date, the baby may deliver two weeks before the due date and up to two weeks after the due date. This is completely normal. If, however, the baby goes past 42 weeks, the placenta can start shutting down and cause problems. Therefore, we do not allow a pregnant woman to go past 42 weeks. At 42 weeks gestation, we usually will start an induction of labor.
