Can anyone point me to statistics for how many women give birth early/on time/late?

[MegBusset]

Am 38wks and DH is convinced I'm about to drop at any moment. DS was 10 days late and I'm fairly sure that statistically most women give birth after their due date but I don't have the figures to back that up -- just anecdotally among my friends, most seem to go over unless they have an elective section or are induced for some other reason.

Can anyone point me to the stats...?

erm hang on someone posted something on our antenatel thread. It may take me a bit to find it

the wonderful mathsmummy posted this

Thanks Bronze. Looks like I might have been wrong then

Apparently if you have longer cycles you are more likely to go overdue - read it somewhere when I was PG but that was ages ago, so no links, sorry! Also, apparently average gestational times vary between races, with caucasian women statistically having longer pregnancies. How weird is that?

Sorry - sounds very woolly as I can't remember more details - I was overdue when I was reading about it!!!

It's me again! I've found it - it's called Mittendorf's rule. Here's one of the links. Quite interesting...

mittendorf's rule

child-birthing ...huge topic for discussion, I went into midwifery because I was amazed at the process from conception to birth... from a seed a flower grows...and what a wonderful experience and privilege it has been to share a parents joy & be present in the first moments of life....

It called an EDD because that exactly what it is, as a woman, whether its your first baby or not, listen to your body and get in touch with your inner self, you are a woman, your body is designed to give birth and you will know when the time is right, its a natural progress and something women are designed to do (on the whole and all things being equal). I could write a whole spiel on this being a former midwife, holistic therapist and a mother ... who had a happy wonderful C-section because all things weren't equal! 1st baby/breech and size 3 feet!, and a midwife!! if you are happy and content with the fact you are pregnant, look after yourself,be good to your self, go with the flow, change your thinking/positive if your baby is happy and too.destress and get some therapy. if however you have gone past the EDD...there are a number of natural things you can do to help you on your way. I have a wealth of knowledge I can share with all you women wanting to concieve, ante-natally and... ....blah blah I should have my own website really,.. above all hope your new born's have a happy birhtday.
read Mothra Gowri's book, michel odent and numerous other literature out there to help you on your amazing journey

jazzMazz - you should have a website. You sound like you have an amazing amount of info to share :-)