Patiently Waiting For Baby To Arrive

April 6th, 2026

Written by: Clarice Hielema

If you’ve been pregnant and given birth before, perhaps you can relate to that all too common feeling that presents itself in the final few weeks before baby’s due date. The feeling is pressure. I know in the medical field there is a great amount of pressure put on mothers concerning their due date. Women are often met with much anxiety inducing statistics, conversations, and tests once they’re approaching 40 weeks. I know that in some cases, there is a need for early induction or emergency C-sections; however, many babies just aren’t ready to make their arrival, and in most cases it’s completely normal to carry to 41 or 42 weeks. 

There’s not only a feeling of pressure derived from medical professionals and the statistics you may read about online. Pressure can also be felt from your own circle of friends, family, and neighbors. Maybe you too have received texts asking how you are doing, or questions about if you’ve had symptoms of labor yet, or people reminding you that you’re due any day now. Maybe you’ve had concerned looks from people who know you’re due sooner than later. I’ve been there too; in fact, I am there now at almost 40 weeks pregnant. And I know all these people mean well and are undoubtedly excited for me and this baby. Oftentimes these comments are from friends and family, and they are not intentionally trying to pressure you as much as they are just trying to lovingly check in on you. I immensely appreciate these same people’s thoughts, prayers, and offers to help me and my family out in any way needed. This is the village that God has blessed me with, and I feel extremely grateful! But at the same time, I’m also feeling a sense of self-induced pressure. I guess it can be compared to the type of pressure you feel when you know everyone is waiting on you to complete something. It’s like everyone is holding their breath, and I feel a sense of urgency to accomplish the task at hand. But in reality, I don't know my baby's true due date, and I feel that my only option, and responsibility, is to wait patiently.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:14

37-42 weeks is considered a normal and safe time frame for a baby to naturally arrive, but it feels like we all forget the possibility and normality of going over 40 weeks. Truth is, I don’t have any clue when my baby will arrive, and I am beginning to feel surprisingly peaceful about the matter. God knows exactly what day and hour this baby will be born, and in that truth, I am comforted. I don’t need to be full of worry, anxiety, and impatience over the timing of any big events in my life. In fact, those feelings are a result of a lack of trust in God and His sovereignty. I feel like I need to remind myself at times that a “due date” is just an estimation. Only God knows the birthday and the birth story of our babies.

I am beyond excited and eager to give birth and meet this little boy or girl that God has chosen to bless my husband and I with. And I’m extremely excited to share that news with all my loved ones who have so kindly checked in on me and baby. I know that this baby boy or girl will come exactly when they are meant to arrive, whether that be tonight or in 2 more weeks. I’ve decided to practice patience and submission in this season of waiting, and I know that before long, I’ll get to meet this little one I’ve been carrying for 9 months. Only a little longer to go!

“A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.” John 16:21