Now that you have overcome your natural excitement to learn when your baby is due, the best service that you can do to yourself is to…. FORGET IT!!

It must be understood that the "due-date" mathematical approach has been borne out of a "modern and scientific" urge to CONTROL things.

Remember, babies are not all growing at the same rate, therefore such dates are only approximate indicators of growth and readiness for birth. The reasonable term for a pregnancy is 38-42 weeks - that is all one should keep in mind regarding the arrival of the baby.

Anything more only causes anxiety. It may very well happen that you deliver a week or two early leading to unnecessary surprise. Or, it may happen that the "due date" just passes by without anything happening at all leading to tremendous anxiety, prolonged suspense, excessive monitoring and even induced labor, when in fact everything is normal.

Concern about due dates are actually induced and takes the mother away from the true picture. A woman MUST learn to trust her body and TRUST in nature. Only then will you accept that the development of the baby has been hidden for a purpose. A wise woman should be able to surrender to Nature when appropriate rather than to adopt an unconditional surrender to the scientific ways.

So, stop counting; please forget this "so when is it due?" game that so many people want to play. Trick your friends by not answering the question; do anything you can to avoid reinforcing this mindset. You can do yourself only harm by fixing a date in your head.

Wishing you a relaxed and healthy pregnancy.

Warm wishes,
Ankita Goel

This newsletter is based on my experience and understanding of "Mother as First Guru" by Swami Gurupremananda Saraswati which I consider a complete 'Biblical Guide' to natural womanhood, pregnancy and spiritual mothering. To read more about it, go to:
http://www.healthandyoga.com/html/preg/mafg_intro.html