When did labour start with your first?

[ThisIsHappening]

I'm 37 weeks today and scheduled to have an ELCS when I'm 39+6 but I'm nervous about going into labour prior to this.

I know people who have gone 2 weeks over with their first and had to be induced and others who have gone into spontaneous labour 2 weeks before their due date.

Just looking to find out other people's experiences.

Thanks x

I was 39+2. I expected to be late as they say first babies usually are, but DS had other ideas.

14 days late - I went in labour the morning I was due to be induced. Natural birth with no pain relief.

I went into labour at 38+2, had him 5 hours later just after midnight.

12 hours after the pessary to induce me, which was about 12 days after my due date!

There’s really no way of knowing, as frustrating as that is.

I had an ELCS with my second though, and then reassured me that should I go into labour they’d do everything in their power to still deliver by CS. Obviously dependent on how early you rock up to the maternity ward and how quickly labour is progressing, but IME they take a ELCS very seriously.

You’ll be in the right hands

37+4!

35+6 my waters broke, gave birth to DD 2 days later x

Started naturally at 39+4, had DD at 39+5 after 23 hours of labour.

Thanks all! Seems like a mixed bag, some early, some late (which I expected really).

@ThursdayLastWeek I'm having a section by maternal choice, not for any medical reasons, I think that's why they've booked me in so late. I expected it'd happen closer to 39 weeks than 40. The consultant that signed off on it did say that if I go into labour beforehand then I should get in ASAP and they'd treat it like an emergency section (without the urgency).

I'm just keeping everything crossed that baby stays put 🤞🏼

Started 40+2 and finally had her at 40+4!

Good luck with your upcoming birth.
My first was 10 days late. Spontaneous labour and birth.
My midwife did say that most first babies are either on time or late.

Mine was essentially Maternal choice too ThisIsHappening. The birth of my first was a bit of a carve up and resulted in an EMCS so my consultant was happy to allow me the choice.

My hospital made every effort to put my mind at ease, I felt not one jot if judgement from anyone apart from my community midwife.

Good luck! I’m sure you’ll be fine. My ELCS was a wonderful experience

40+5, after a sweep

Proper, intense, three mins apart contractions started 40 + 5. She was born 49 hours later. I'd been having sporadic contractions for a couple of weeks beforehand but they took a long time to ramp up into a proper rhythm.

40+5.
I was due an induction on due date (social not medical) but I wasn't ready.

Hi,
Hope you don't mind me joining. I am also interested to know about labour and first babies, I'm currently 39+2 and waiting for any sign baby is on the way! 😂 I'm due my first sweep on Sunday but was hoping things would start naturally before hand 🤞

Labour started in the evening when I was 40+6 and he was born the next morning at 41+0.

My waters broke by themselves at 39+3. I didnt give birth til 39+6, 52 hours later.

41+1 set himself off on the morning of a booked PM induction, decided he wasn't being forced out 😂

Two sweeps beforehand couldn't be performed as cervix wasn't playing

My first was 3 weeks early I had only just gone on mat leave. 36 weeks waters went in the night, after 48hrs I was induced, had epidural then emergency c section.
Born at 9lbs, 3 weeks early. 2nd I didn't even finish work had 3 days to go. 36 weeks, Again waters went in night, stayed in hospital, had epidural then emergency c section. 2nd also 9lbs, 3 weeks early. Glad I didn't go full term!

Currently 39+4 and twiddling my thumbs, the not knowing is killing me 🤣

I went into labour spontaneously at 41 weeks and had a straight forward labour and delivery.

Good luck op

Thanks for all your replies and well wishes guys, much appreciated!

@Megzmoo best of luck with your sweep, hope it kickstarts things for you 🤞🏼