Did your second baby arrive earlier or later than your first?

[cherishlia]

My first was born at 40+4 - spontaneous vaginal birth, 2 hours 43 minutes - lovely jubbly.

I'm due my second on 9th December and trying to figure out when my partner should book time off from, he has 10 days holiday left for the year (paternity is not a viable option).

I don't want him to book it from the due date and then I end up still being pregnant at 40+11... It's something you obviously can't plan with spontaneous labour, but I'm trying to navigate it somehow so he's actually there for the birth and at least the first few days.

Back to the question in subject, did your second arrive earlier or later?

First at 40+3(labour started on due date 😬)
Second at 41+5

First was 39 weeks
Second was 40+4

Mine were both born on die day. Years ago I had to organise the holiday rota at work. A group of six and we couldn't overlap.A number of the others had spouses having babies. This was before partners had any time off for a new baby. The arrangement we alighted on was for the DP's holiday to start at 42 weeks for 2 weeks.

Of the people I know (I'm one and done!)...

37+0
41+1

34+0
38+0 (twins!!)

39+6 (but suspected actually further along than that/wrong dates)
40+3

I had

Due date
Due date minus 1
Due date plus 1
2 weeks early

First a few days early second on due date.

1st 11days late
2nd 9 days late

But tbh I think my 1st due date was wrong. They moved it forward a week at 12 week scan but I know from last mental cycle and when we......he was only 4 days late.

1st 38 plus 1
2nd 40 plus 1

First - day before due date
Second - a week over

@WoMandalorian

My second was later. First was 8 days late and second was 12 days late. Is there no way for him to talk to his work about this so he can start his holiday when you go into labour? My DH also didn't get paternity with our first or second, but he spoke to his work and they agreed to 2 weeks holiday starting whenever was necessary.

Given that it'll be busy Christmas season this isn't possible, he needs a months notice - maybe he'll be able to wangle something but unlikely currently. Would be perfect if they did allow that though.

@jennyt82

My first came at 41+6 my second came at 38 weeks. I just expected to go overdue again and was completely unprepared!!!

Oh wow, that must have been a big shock! I'm fully prepared to go to 40 weeks again but this worries me a lot!

Later. First arrived at 39+5, second at 40+2.

It felt like the longest 4 days ever!

1st was 1 week overdue
2nd was 2 weeks overdue

@TuesdayRuby

First was 39+4 Second was 40+1

I was horrified to still be in labour at 40 weeks! I was adamant no2 would be another early one. I distinctly remember stomping around telling anyone who would listen that “this baby will NEVER come!” (Bit dramatic in hindsight)

Btw OP. With a first birth at less than three hours, I would prepare for a very speedy second delivery…

It does end up feeling like that though! Hoping it won't be the case with this one but judging by the answers, there's no pattern at all and this little man may end up more comfortable than his sister!

I'm fully prepared for this baby to maybe just fall out of me unannounced!

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

First was 40+5 Second was 40 exactly.

This is me, exactly! I always thought second births tend to be a bit earlier and happen more quickly, but reading this thread apparently that’s not the case.

@IdrisElbow

Oh and to answer your question,

1st - a week early
2nd - 10 days late

Currently 39 weeks with number 3 and wondering what this one is going to do!

I couldn't quote your previous post - I'm planning a home birth, one of the reasons being how fast my first was, I really would rather not give birth in the car, on the side of the road or in the hospital hallway!

If only these babies had some kind of pattern so you could somewhat prepare, oh well! Good luck with number 3, I hope they don't leave you waiting too long!

@LVJ1989

First was 40+3 1hr 50 birth Second was 40+3 16 hour labour

That's interesting that your labour was that much longer after such a speedy first labour... was baby back to back or something? I always hear second and subsequent labours being quicker, I really hope that isn't the case this time.

1st bang on due date
2nd bang on due date
3rd 37+5
4th 38+5
In theory we are given those ''due dates'' but in practice term baby is ready to be born at anytime between 37-41 weeks.

Later
First was 38+0
Second was 40+5

Unfortunately as you can tell from this thread, there is no way to predict it.

Fingers crossed for you. Have you made plans for a likely precipitous birth again, as a very short labour the first time is more likely to be an even shorter labour next time.

Sorry just read your plan for a home birth, good move!

Ah that’s great - I thought home births were no longer supported due to covid so very happy for you that it’s possible.

DC1 for me was 40+2 and DC2 was 40+13. Was contracting mildly on and off for last week of second and it was a bit of a psychological rollercoaster. This leave situation is such a pain for you as it will add to that feeling of pressure.

1 40+5
2 induced 40+10 born next day

1st DS arrived 1 day before he was due
2nd DS arrived 10 days before his due date.
Good luck OP.

1st- Ds 37w +2
2nd -Dd 40w+2
3rd -Dd 36w+6
4th - Dd 23w+5
5th -Dd 34w+1
6th Dd 36w+4

Later and no sign they were planning to come out then either:
1st: 41+3 but 3 days of slow labour ending in C-section
2nd: induced at 42 weeks, induction took 2 days so born at 42+2, with forceps, they really weren't keen to come out.

My mum was so adamant the 2nd would come earlier she booked holiday with us (she lives abroad) to be there for the birth and had to go home a week before she was born.