When did you give birth with your first?

[DDogMum]

Just that question really!
I'm curious and at 32 weeks, this is feeling like countdown territory.
Birthing stories very welcome too!

39+3 with my first.

My waters went at 4am and they asked me to come in to be checked, I was quite happy and comfortable so they were going to send me home at 6am, but when they did a check, I was already 6cm dilated.

Apparently I was in back labour, but because I have a chronic back condition I hadn't noticed the pain. DC1 arrived at 11.15!

38+3, slow labour for 3 days. Sweep on the day, 2cm when waters broke that evening. Nothing happened for hours and hours. Hormonal drip to bring it on quicker, had an epidural due to back to back labour. 15 hours later I had to have a c-section.

39+6

39 weeks

12 days early.

Exactly 40.

Waters broke at 36+5 but didn't give birth till I was 37, so just term!

40+6

Technically one day after my due date. But I know the scan was dated me at least two days early. So he was probably a couple of days early.

waters started leaking at 40+3. went in to get checked and they kept me in when it was confirmed to be amniotic fluid. had sweep and pessary to "speed things along". things indeed sped along and DS was born 12 hours later, 40+4. I had an epidural and a 2nd degree tear.

DS2 was very different. he went 12 days over and then had a very quick natural labour with no pain relief (no time, it's not that I didn't want it!)

39+3

10 days late

42 weeks

39+6. Started in the morning, finished in the evening. Had totally bought into the idea that a first baby would come late and slow, but actually it was all pretty much identical to my DM's first birth...

Wishing you all the best for the coming weeks and months. My births were both lovely btw - uncomplicated, manageable, empowering, blah blah. Also just the most fascinating experience I've ever had - birth is a fairly surreal and bonkers business I suppose. DC1 felt 'easy' to the point that without my mum's stern encouragement I probably wouldn't have got the midwife out in time - as it was she arrived about half an hour before he did. DC2 was very similar except then I knew more about what to expect so I got the midwife out about three hours before I delivered. Someone had told me "wait til you can't bear it - and then wait a bit more", but that was totally the wrong advice for me as the only time when I thought I couldn't bear it any more was in transition - 20 and 10 mins before the baby popped out, respectively.

40 + 4 went out for lunch with my SIL told her didn't feel any different and didn't think he was coming out anytime soon.

Contractions started that night at 2am got worse and called triage but they said not to come in yet and have a bath. Contractions stayed the same for the whole day so just had my tens machine and tried to rest. That night it got worse until I called triage again and they said to come in. This was now 4am and they found I was 7cm.
They broke my waters at around 8.30 am and DS arrived at 10.50. I only had gas and air as I was to far for anything else.

DH still laughs that when DS was properly coming the midwife came
In and said it's okay to which I shouted it's not okay none of this is okay

39 + 4 (in labour for 24 hrs before that though)

40+3 waters broke.
40+4 he finally emerged after (what felt like) a very long induction and labour!

38 + 3. Went in at 1pm with bloody show - was 4cm - had her at 10pm. Had myself so worked up about labour before hand but it was nowhere near as bad as I expected!

36+6. Back to back delivery. 8 hour labour. If you’ve ever had toothache, you’ll find childbirth much less painful. No gas and air, no stitches. Very little interference because I wouldn’t let anyone touch me once I was pushing. 7lb 14. Their dates were wrong but they wouldn’t listen to me but I reckon he was about full-term. Very healthy, very hungry boy who is now looking towards his 23rd birthday. Working in London and 2 years into a relationship with a lovely Dutch lady. Love the bones of him, the silly bugger.

I went and did it all again 2 1/2 years later and DD was 39 weeks and a labour of 25 minutes. No time for pain or pain relief.

Good luck OP. Hope things go well for you.

35+4
Dramatic breaking of waters all over the floor. Total panic as I wasn't expecting it for at least 2 more weeks! Was denied my desired water birth as being premature I suddenly became 'high risk' but still had a positive hypnobirth experience and luckily a normal delivery.

40+2
Ended up having an emergency c section. It was terrifying but the hospital staff were amazing and honestly as soon as I held him none of it mattered

40+3, on my birthday after 7 hour labour, I think I got off lightly!

Exactly 40 weeks - my waters broke at midnight on my due date!!

1st baby 41+1 induced on Friday Eve for reduced movements and decelerations in fetal heart rate on CTG. x1 24hr pessary, waters broke, had epidural, drip, got infected, baby deteriorated and had crash CS at 9cm Sunday morning. Baby admitted to nnu with meningitis.

2nd baby induced at 39+4 with pessary for suspected late onset diabetes on Friday Eve, had normal birth early hours of Sunday morning with epidural, 3rd degree tear and lost over 2L blood

40. Woke up at 2:30am by a pain. The contractions were every 4 mins. I rang the hospital & they said to come in. Fed animals, had a cuppa and headed in at 4. Waters broke at 5, about 15 mins after getting to hospital. Sent straight to delivery as there was meconium in the water. Gas and air and pethadine. I was waiting for bloods to come back for an epidural but then it was too late, baby in my arms at half 8. Had a small episiotomy.