About this episode

Mel explores the history and mathematics behind estimated due dates, challenging the idea that pregnancy should end precisely at 40 weeks.

Mel explores the history and mathematics behind estimated due dates, challenging the idea that pregnancy should end precisely at 40 weeks. She examines why treating day 280 as a strict deadline can lead to unnecessary interventions and encourages a more nuanced understanding of pregnancy length, risk, and decision-making around induction.

People in this episode

Host: Dr Melanie Jackson

Topics covered

• pregnancy
• due dates
• induction
• health interventions
• decision-making

Keywords

• pregnancy length
• estimated due dates
• unnecessary interventions
• induction
• risk assessment

More episodes of The Great Birth Rebellion

• Episode 212 - It’s Not ‘False’ Labour, It’s Prodromal Labour · July 19, 2026 · 1h 36m
• Episode 211 - Manage your labour pain with sterile water injections and hypnobirthing · July 12, 2026 · 55 min
• Episode 210 - It's bad but there's hope · July 5, 2026 · 54 min
• Episode 209 - The 5 BIG induction studies · June 28, 2026 · 1h 17m
• Episode 207 - The First 2 Weeks Postpartum (part 2) · June 14, 2026 · 1h 1m

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