Straw poll: shorter menstrual cycle, earlier delivery?

[Gemmitygem]

Just out of interest, did anyone who has shorter than average menstrual cycles deliver earlier than the due date? I understood that the two were linked..

Yes, I did. I was also told by a midwife friend that, for example, a cycle length of 25 days would mean you can deduct 3 days from your due date.
So not much difference given the tendency of babies to turn up when they feel like it!

That's interesting - I've never heard of that before. My cycle is very sort. My first dd was two/three weeks (can't remember exactly!) early and was born super fast. Only just made it to the hospital.

Second was dt's, but I was induced 3 wks early cos of high BP, so I don't know if they'd have naturally arrived earlier or not.

I think the connection is the theory that women gestate for 9 of their monthly cycles.

I have a short cycle and gave birth 2 weeks early and 1 week early in my 2 pgs.

don't know my cycle was 25/26 days long, and Joey was 8 days early (well classed as 38 weeks) even thou was one day off 39.

not sure if there's any link to your own birth is there? I was 2 weeks early. DB was 8 dasy early for mum so possibly there's a link there? might just be coniciidence thou!

My cycles vary (25-29 days) but the one I conceived ds on, and the one before, was about 26 days. He was born at 38 weeks, but I had had shortening and softening of the cervix earlier on in the pregnancy,k so I tend to think it's more to do with that.

i'm on the opposite side of the spectrum.
I have a 5 week cycle and I was 10 days over, and 2 weeks over(was induced then, god only knows knows when it would have happened if no induction)

My cycle length was 30 days... always.

Both my babies were born 5 days early after going into labour spontaneously.

ooh, this is really interesting then, cos most of you with short cycles DID deliver early..

wonder if any research has been done into it.

Very interesting. I have long cycles (about 30-35 days) and ds was 11 days late, and only born then because induced.

Long cycles - overdue with all of them

long cycles;
ds1: 33 days - 3wks early
ds2: 35 days - 3wks early
guess i just dont do long pg's (and wont be another to test that theory)

I havent delivered yet so cant speak from experience but the book 'Birth and Beyond' by Yehudi Gordon says the shorter the cycle, the shorter the pregnancy. I have a short cycle so hopefully it's true!

I have a 25/26 day cycle and all 3 of mine were born 3 days early.

long cycles, 35+ days both girls v late, started labour with dd1 @ 40 + 13
went in for induction with dd2 @ 40 + 12

Cycle 30-32 days
DS 2 weeks early
But was ivf and apparently ivf babies come earlier (statistically) and nobody knows why.

eenywifemum, isn't that book lovely! Specially after reading the horrors of Naomi wolf and Kate Figes...

Long, unpredictable cycles: 27 - 35+ days; ds induced at 2 wks overdue!

GEmmitygem I do love that book! I've read it practically cover to cover! I havent read Naomi Wolf/Kate Figes... is it grim?

I'm the exception that proves the rule. Very short cycle (21 to 23 days). Ds1 born on the day expected. Ds2 4 days late.

with the two that arrived naturally, both babies arrived at 38+4 and 38+5, i ususally have a 28day cycle.mmm interesting!

If you have a shorter cycle you are likely to have ovulated before day 14, but your due date will generally be calculated based on a standard 28 day cycle, so you probably conceived earlier than they think, and it is statistically much more likely that you'll deliver early. There's tons of info on it in just about every medical textbook.

I have a short cycle but both girls have been 3 days past due date. the baby still has to grow for the same length of time inside womb!

short cycle - 15 days late!!!

I had a 26 day cycle, so I deducted 2 days from my EDD to give me what I thought was my EDD (in fact it was 3 days, as it was a leap year). I also kow when concetpion took place!

As it was, ds was born on the GP's EDD - so in my view was 3 days late, which would tie in with my Mum's experience, as both my brother and I were late.

thanks for all your comments! it seems there is something in it, though probably just from ovulating earlier rather than being pregnant for a certain number of 'your' cycles...

eenywifemum, if you're preg like me do NOT read Naomi Wolf's book "Misconceptions', I cried for 2 hours after reading it and DH actually kicked the book across the floor. It is about the super-medicalised birth culture in the US and what a horrendous time she has. Makes you so glad not to be giving birth there. The Kate Figues "life after birth' is also a bit depressing, but at least has some positive moments. But I would stick to Yehudi Gordon as he is so upbeat..
I also got the 'Birthing from Within' book which is really good for techniques, but you have to torture yourself with bits of ice to practice pain management and it all sounds very hard work..

Right, enough about birth books now!