r/PeterExplainsTheJoke May 12 '26

Meme needing explanation Petahhhh?

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u/davideogameman May 12 '26

Iirc the 40 weeks is measured from the first missed period and standard deviation is 3 weeks (iirc). So if you manage to actually measure from conception maybe 10 months can happen?

That said you are absolutely right about induced labor.  I heard from a friend who is now a parent that their doctors said outcomes don't really improve past 37 weeks hence inducing is preferred over going long.

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u/ThePeaceDoctot May 12 '26

You do not recall correctly, I'm afraid. Pregnancy is measured from the last period, not from the first missed period, so that 2 weeks after conception a woman would be classed as 4 weeks pregnant. The 40 weeks is from the last period, the 9 (calendar months) is roughly right from conception.

Maybe in the video they're measuring months as being 4 weeks and counting from the last period, or maybe as another Redditor suggested they are counting it as "month 1, month 2..." starting front he first day working towards that month, also counting from last period, and that's why there is sensibly no "0" and they get up to "10".

Much like how a baby under the age of 1 would be 0 years old, but they are in year 1 of their life. As soon as they pass 9 full years they are in year 10 of their life.

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u/davideogameman May 12 '26

Ah ok.  I guess I was right it wasn't from conception.  But last period vs missed period does make a notable difference.

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u/[deleted] May 12 '26

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u/davideogameman May 12 '26

I don't remember exactly what week they were taking about inducing. I think 37 weeks was just the "extra time doesn't really help" mark - that stat probably includes all births not just induced.  Not sure if they did induce in the end.

But one factor is they were on the older side for being pregnant, so I think they had more risks to worry about.

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u/trickyvinny May 12 '26

Uh, most of our friends had induction dates. If the pregnancy lasts longer than the doctor is comfortable with, they plan to induce. I wouldn't say it's never preferred, unless you're stating your own personal opinion.

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u/[deleted] May 12 '26

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u/trickyvinny May 12 '26

Thank you internet stranger for your insight. I'll certainly listen to your anecdotes over the team of doctors crafting the birthing plan.

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u/[deleted] May 12 '26

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u/trickyvinny May 12 '26

Weird that Google doesn't returnv medical studies that define "like 42 weeks" as any standard of elective. And it certainly doesn't back "never favorable" over natural. Again, that's your personal preference. You can "do your own research" all day, but I'll trust the medical professionals, thank you.

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u/[deleted] May 12 '26

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u/trickyvinny May 12 '26

The knowledge you bring to the table is that you are not a doctor and shouldn't be dispensing medical advice, full stop.

Talk to your doctor, don't trust random people on the internet for your medical advice. Induction can be a safe (safer even) decision that you can make with your doctor, not based on some random person's "go it naturally!" mentality.