My delayed delivery

I am currently carrying my third pregnancy which I was expected to deliver about four weeks ago. Unfortunately, the baby has refused to come down. Kindly let me know what could be responsible for the delay as well as the way out. I am getting worried.

Nkechi (by SMS)

• Every pregnancy carries its risk — OAUTHC’s CMD

Actually, a due date is only an estimate! it is very normal to go up to 42 weeks in pregnancy. Around 80% of babies are born between 38 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. This is often called ‘at term’. Babies born after 42 weeks are described as ‘post-term’ while those born before 37 completed weeks are ‘preterm’ or ‘premature’. It has been confirmed that only about 5% of babies are actually born on their ‘due’ date. Pregnancy is measured from the date of your last period, and conception could have occurred at different times in the weeks after that. Even if you’re sure of the date of conception, the length of pregnancy can still vary by about five weeks. If your labour hasn’t started by 41 weeks, you can go back to your midwife for the necessary action.