What YOU can learn from Meghan and Harry about pregnancy

Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex who are expecting their first little one next year! But what can you learn from the royal couple?

Royals are experts at due date vagueness. You may have noticed that the royal baby is due in SPRING. Not (for example) April 4th, not even April…. but just ‘spring’. Meghan hasn’t given a due date, or even a due month… she’s given a ‘due season’.

The great due date myth
We know that due dates are a myth as research shows that…

• only 4% of babies arrive on them
• the average arrival date (when we look at the body of research) for 1st babies is 40w +5 days
• the average arrival date for 2nd babies is 40w + 3 days.

By giving a vague due date Meghan takes the pressure off herself having her baby on a certain date. And she gives herself breathing space so that she can enjoy the end of her pregnancy without endless (but usually well-meaning) ‘have you had that baby yet?’ questions from friends and family.

Follow Meghan’s ‘due season’ lead
I’d really suggest you consider following Meghan and Harry’s lead and give a vague due date. Even if giving just a season (‘spring’) is unrealistic try something like ‘mid January’. I’d also suggest you add a week in to your due date when you do this too to buy yourself extra space, eg:

• if you’re due Jan 26th it becomes “‘early February’
• if you’re due 1st March it becomes ‘mid March’
• if you’re really pushed to give a date then add 7-10 days on. If anyone queries it just say you had an extra scan and they moved your due date.

As you approach the end of your pregnancy I promise you’ll be thankful!