Every pregnancy is different; in fact, even delivery dates vary considerably for women. This was something stand-up comedian and host Bharti Singh vouched for when she opened up about her pregnancy journey and how she gave birth in the 10th month despite her doctor suggesting she would deliver in the seventh month itself. “Doctor told me that you keep working, but since you have been working so much, you might have an early delivery. Our hospital delivery bag was packed in the 7th month. The baby was delivered in the 10th month. The boy doesn’t even listen to what I have to say…he took 10 months, 15 days to come out. Mujhe lagta tha ki degree lekar hi niklega “(I thought he would graduate and then come out)! Itna cooked baby,” Singh told Debina Bonnerjee on her podcast in 2024.Singh and her husband, screenwriter Haarsh Limbachiyaa, welcomed their son Laksh in April 2022.She also acknowledged the role of Haarsh in the crucial first four months of pregnancy. “4 months, Haarsh looked after me. The doctor told us not to tell anyone. When I used to sit at home, I used to feel so low. I didn’t feel good. When I used to work, I used to feel good,” added Singh. Why do some women deliver later than the ninth month? (Photo: Getty Images/Thinkstock)Taking a cue from her admission, let’s explore why some women may experience a later-than-usual delivery period.A normal pregnancy usually lasts around 9 months (40 weeks), but sometimes it can go a little longer, up to 41 or even 42 weeks, Dr Kaishreen Khan, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospitals, Kharadi, Pune, told indianexpress.com.According to Dr Khan, this can be called “post-term” or “overdue” pregnancy. “There are a few reasons for this. Sometimes, the expected due date is miscalculated. In other cases, it’s just the body’s natural rhythm, so some babies take more time to get ready,” said Dr Khan.According to Dr Khan, first-time mothers, older mothers, or those with a history of longer pregnancies may experience this. “It’s important to keep regular checkups after 40 weeks. Doctors monitor the baby’s heartbeat, movements, and amniotic fluid levels to ensure everything is okay. This is not rare at all, and it happens,” reassured Dr Khan.Story continues below this adWomen should not panic or fret and should stay in touch with the doctor. “If the baby doesn’t arrive naturally by 41–42 weeks, doctors may suggest inducing labour to avoid risks. So, while a late delivery isn’t a problem, it needs close medical care and monitoring for a safe birth,” said Dr Khan.DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.📣 For more lifestyle news, click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and also follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd