Predicting due date of dc3

[Athenaviolet]

Can you? Did you?

If you have had only spontaneous natural deliveries have you noticed a pattern?

My first was the typical 40+10 (refused induction) then the second 39+5. So we're kind of expecting this one around the 39 week mark. Is this realistic or is it just random?

[formerlyofLadysmith]

Oh I have exactly the same question! DC1 was 40+14 (not induced), DC2 was 40+1, not sure what to expect.

[BusyCee]

Me too. Dc1 was 40+10, dc2 was on his due date (!!) so am expecting dc3 about a week early. I have no idea if this is in anyway based in science or if I'm just making it up, but there we go...

[FernGullysWoollyPully]

Personally I don't think you can and I wouldn't let myself expect anything because that could lead to frustration and disappointment with every day you 'go over' what you estimated.

My 4 have all been overdue in varying degrees. One started 4 days over, another went to 11 days and had to be induced.

Just go with the flow. But have your bag packed and repacked just in case.

[LikeASoulWithoutAMind]

Mine were all early but there wasn't particularly a pattern. They were born at 38, 39, 37 weeks.

Otoh, a friend had her first at 38 weeks and was induced with her other two.

I don't think you can tell, tbh - they come when they're ready!

[Lifeisabeach]

Mine have got slightly earlier each time:

DS1: 40+9
DD: 40+1
DS2: 39+5

[Surf25]

Have to say I agree with Fern - try not to 'expect' just be ready for it to happen and then take it all a day at a time, having seen friends getting mega frustrated at no signs of baby coming when they 'knew' it was going to come early and it doesn't...they had no enjoyment at all in the last days around their due date and I think you have to just try and make the most of them, baby will come when it is ready! For us, dc1 was 39+1, dc2 40+5 and dc3 40+4 so the pattern wasn't when they came, but the way they came, all overnight with labour starting a little before midnight and their births being at 2am, 4am and 3am respectively! I expected dc2 to be early like dc1 and this time round had no expectations and quite enjoyed the last few days before dc3 despite feeling enormous and tired!! All the best for when the time comes!

[JugglingLife]

Probably not, DC1 was 33, DC2 was 38, you can imagine my disgust when DC3 was 40 + 1. On the plus side he was a lovely fast and easy birth though as much as they can be.

[Athenaviolet]

With dc1 I was happy to be pregnant for as long as possible. I liked being pregnant. And it worked out well from a practical pov too.

Dc2 was due at a ahm awkward time of year so I was very glad it was early.

With this one 38+0 would be my ideal!

[afreshstartplease]

Dc1 5 days early

Dc2 11 days early

Was expecting Dc3 to be 16 or 17 days early

This did not happen and it was the nearest I have ever gone to a due date at 3 days early

[badRoly]

I had no pattern - dc1 an ELCS, dc2 bang on due date, dc3 1 week late, dc4 10 days early!

[Tsotofamily]

Dd1 was 2 weeks early
ds was 10 days early
was expecting dd2 early as well but she was 5 days late

[Mangobubbles]

DS1- 40+6, DS2-38+2, DD- 40+3
I don't think you can predict it, with DD, two midwives told me I wouldn't make it to my 39 week apt and I was so disappointed to go overdue as I was so big and uncomfortable.

[BookSnark]

I don't think you can predict a thing about a 'healthy' labour (ie excluding predisposition to waters breaking prematurely or similar).

Though I find I deliver boys earlier than girls (average 39weeks vs average 41 weeks) . Is that a 'thing'?

[Athenaviolet]

It could be, since boys are slightly bigger at birth (statistically).

[MamaVikki]

No single pregnancy or birth is the same. There was a pattern to mine but this could've been coincidence:
Early; earlier; & even earlier!
I've never experienced reaching my due date!

[inmyshoos]

I had ds at 37 weeks, dd1 at 38 weeks and dd2 at 40 weeks. There was a definite labour pattern - waters break and within an hour I started contracting. Ds waters broke around 8pm and he arrived around 8am, dd1 waters broke around 8pm and she arrived 2.40am. Dd2 waters broke at 2.30am and she was born at 5.40am. So my labours pretty much halved in length with each baby. Babies also got bigger! I always wondered if i had 4 would it be an hour and a half start to finish

[sharonthewaspandthewineywall]

I don't think you can predict.
My first was four weeks early, my second was two weeks late. Interesting to think when this one may arrive