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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

4th Babies (or more) On time,overdue or Early?

28 replies

morethemerrier · 11/02/2012 12:56

As I am 32 weeks exp DC4, I just wondered if the more children you have does it have any relevance on how your body is geared up for labour, and if your body develops a kind of 'been there,done that' and is more efficient at kicking the whole thing off iyswim?

My 1st was induced due to pre eclampsia so can't really count that, but DS2 I went 10 days overdue, with DD I went 3 days over so is there a pattern the more you have or just as random as each pregnancy is different?

Grin
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Yorky · 11/02/2012 15:40

I'm glad you asked that more, I'd been wondering the same thing. DC1+2 were a couple of days early but DC3 was 11days late and several people said to me that 3rds are hard to shift so I was hoping that it wasn't the same with 4ths! Watching this space eagerly for people who've been there :)

morethemerrier · 11/02/2012 16:05

Hi Yorky! Maybe there are not as many in the 4 or more brigade on mumsnet? Hmm was getting a bit lonely on my own!

Must pop back over to the other thread, meant to thank you for your kind wishes re: my anemia! Grin

I've been having quite strong random BH, not at all regular but enough to remind me of how early labour starts! Hence was wondering if it was any indication of an earlier exit this time as I dont ever remember having BH like this with the others!

Hopefully someone else will pop on and satisfy our curiosity!

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FootprintsInTheSnow · 11/02/2012 16:09

Early......

..... Is what I'm hoping for this time.

Actually.... 2 days late would fit in best with Easter hols..... Listen up in there, bub.

33wks with 4th. 3rd pregnancy and alsothis one (but less time) I've had strong braxton kicks from about 32 weeks. Freaked me out at first, but I've got used to it.

DC1 was induced on due date - can't remember if DC2&3 were early or late... A few days early iirc, but I'd have to look up my notes.

4madboys · 11/02/2012 16:10

all 5 of mine were later, ie 14days +late, one was 18days with no 4 i went in at 14days over? or maybe 15 actually, had my waters broken, labour took a while to get going but once it did it only took an hour and he was born in the birth pool :)

i had lots of bh and false starts etc, common in third babies apparently but also had it with ds4.

anyway i was induced with all 5 of mine as i went overdue, never went into labour naturally but had nice normal easy deliveries once they got going!

oh and i was also 3-4cm dilated each time at the end of pregnancy etc and lots of signs that things would start but they never did, for me at least.

FootprintsInTheSnow · 11/02/2012 16:10

Sorry - my third paragraph was mangled beyond recognition by the iPad.

My children were born around about term - but the braxton hicks kicked in strong and early in pregnancy 3 & 4.

DerbysKangaskhan · 11/02/2012 16:28

It's been quite random for me. DS1 was 14 days over, DD1 was a couple days early, DD2 was about on time, and DS2 was 11 days late (almost 12 as he was born very close to midnight). So for me it seems more to do with the sex than child number (my boys have been mean to me Wink .

However, my first stage was far more effective with 3 & 4. Once I started, I really started while 1 & 2 messed about for a while.

morethemerrier · 11/02/2012 16:30

Thanks Footprints Grin

Think its the strong BH that have got me wondering, as have had a few that have stopped me in my tracks! So maybe its more a case of the uterus being more sensitive in responding and just niggling? Hmm

4mad, fingers crossed this one just pops out! Had a lovely home water birth with DC3 so hoping for the same again, so whilst not in a hurry as this is our final addition Sad they won't advise a home birth if I go too overdue!

Grin
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HappyHippyChick · 11/02/2012 16:42

My first three were four days early - ds4 was six days late! I was totally geared up for him to be early, never expected him to be late... Good luck!

HappyHippyChick · 11/02/2012 16:44

He did just pop out though, if that makes you feel any better!

PacificDogwood · 11/02/2012 16:46

T+15 - induced
31 weeks - emCS due to placenta praevia
T+10 VBAC
T+0 VBAC

There you go!
My labours certainly went faster and faster - DS4 3 hours from waters breaking to chord being cut Shock.

morethemerrier · 11/02/2012 16:55

Definitely all for the popping out bit!

Interesting Pacific, my labours have also got shorter 1st was 11 hours, 2nd 3 hours and 3rd was 1 hour 40 mins! (hence planned home birth)

So maybe, whilst they are not necessarily any earlier they may be shorter/easier?

Grin
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4madboys · 11/02/2012 16:58

yes my last 3 were all much quicker than the first 2.

ds3 took 3hrs and 3 pushes. ds4 took an hour, 40mins of that in the pool and i didnt have to push at all, despite his 10lb 13oz size! then dd took 3hrs once it got going, took a while and she came out easily as well, despite being back to back!

no 1 took THREE DAYS... no 2 took 7hrs.

i was booked in for home births with mine but ended up going overdue, i waited till 18days over with ds3 much to the consultants annoyance! but i just dont seem to go into labour on my own, once they break my waters i am away! but before that nothing other than lOTS of bh etc, most annoying.

good luck and hope baby comes at least on time and in a speedy easy birth :)

morethemerrier · 11/02/2012 17:12

Thanks Mad!

You are truly a baby machine! Grin Has each baby been bigger?

I think DS (no 3) was b2b as she was born in the pool looking up at me?!? but was also fairly easy to push out!

On time will be perfect as I am due Easter weekend!

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4madboys · 11/02/2012 17:28

the boys al got bigger, 8lb 7oz for no 1, then 9lb 3oz, then 9lb 5oz so i expected no 4 to be 9lb 9oz or something i couldnt believe it when he was soo big, i was holding him in the pool and said 'oh you are so teeny' the midwife said NO he isnt and then when they said 10lb 13oz i nearly died! he was and still is a big boy for his age, not fat, just solid and very tall, straight into 3-6mths clothes pretty much!

no 5 was only 8lb!! they had predicted another big baby but i could tell she wasnt as big as the boys, she just didtn feel as heavy, i am assuming its because she is a girl that she was smaller as they often are? but she seemed SO tiny when she was born, the smallest of my 5. she has caught up tho and now at 14mths is a big girl, again tall and solid, rather than fat, i kind of hoped she may take after me and be short (5 2) but it seems like all the boys she is taking after dp who is 6ft, she wears 18-24mths and some of the dresses are a bit short!.

do you know what you are having?

and yes if ds was looking up at you then he was back to back! it is meant to be harder to push them out if they are back to back but i think if you have a natural labour ie less painrelief and no epidural, then they will be easier to push out, still harder than normal but not as bad as if you are flat on your back and imobile, with dd i had to have the syntocin drip but i still stayed mobile, standing, sitting on birth ball and kneeling, on all fours, am sure that helped her to be delivered more easily, i only pushed a few times, as soon as i got the urge to push i was like 'that is it you are are coming OUT' i was so done with being pregnant! its excruciating but you know then that its nearly all over and soo soo worth it! i would love to have another but no more babies for us (unless we win the lottery!)

and easter wkend would be lovely time to have a baby :)

historyrepeats · 11/02/2012 17:33

Thanks more, I'm trying for number 4 so all very interesting.Smile

OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere · 11/02/2012 17:35

I am trying to remember!

DC5 was my 4th baby (have one adopted child).

I think he was a bit early (shameful as he is only 21mths old!)

What I do remember was that the labour was really niggly and vague for ages. Drove me bonkers. Lots of sleepless nights and thinking 'this is it' and nothing happening.

By the time I got going I really couldnt tell! I was proper embarressed that I didnt know if I was in labour Blush

Doesnt help that my waters never break till the last minute.

Deafworm · 11/02/2012 17:35

Lurking in the background, I could really do with number 4 being early as I'm due to be maid of honour and 3dds bridesmaids on my due date! Dd1&2 induced due tore eclampsia, dd3 was spontaneous at 41weeks, I'm dreaming to think 39weeks will happen aren't it!

OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere · 11/02/2012 17:37

I had big gap between DC2 and DC 4 (DC3 being the adopted one) so my body didnt remember a damn thing, not after 15 years!

Seemed to be easier with DC5 although i was more scared because I knew what was coming.

Easy and fairly quick births though, both at home.

insanityscratching · 11/02/2012 17:40

First at 37 weeks
Second on due date (ELCS)
Third T plus 9
Fourth 39 weeks
Fifth T plus 3

morethemerrier · 11/02/2012 17:43

Mine have all been quite small, 6lb 13oz, 7lb 5oz and 7lb 2oz (DD) I think you are right about girls being smaller on average, mine have all had big heads though!

I was upright on my knees in the pool, and just had G&A which I stopped using for the pushing bit as I wanted to make sure I was with it so compared to being on my back in hospital with the boys pushing her out was a breeze!

This will be our last which I am hoping I will be at ease with in the future. 4 was the plan and we have been fortunate, age and space is our issue so a lottery win would sort the space out but not turn back the years! Sad

I just hope that the urge to make babies is satisfied and I look forward to the ongoing stage of bringing them up and enjoying them all! Grin

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TheNinjaGooseIsOnAMission · 11/02/2012 17:53

first 40+8, the quickest at 1 1/2 hours and smallest at 8lb2
second 40+11, unplanned but lovely homebirth
third 40+11 again but later in the day
fourth 40+21 induced otherwise she's still be in there I reckon Grin biggest at 9lb9 got stuck emcs
fifth 39lb+4 induced arm vbac as they didn't want him getting so big, ended up 9lb8 and crash cs.
so the general pattern for me has been later and longer, not by that much but still, and harder labours with progressively bigger babies. I am not having any more Grin

lovinme · 11/02/2012 17:59

I think it's random.My 1st was 16days early,2nd was 9days late,3rd was 2days early,4th was 12 days late and 5th was 7 days late.The overdue ones were bigger though and I'm currently 35wks with number 6 and I'm hoping it's going to be early cause I don't one another big baby!

PacificDogwood · 11/02/2012 18:36

My Nr4 was my smallest at 6lbs 6oz - but I was quite ancient when I had him which does affect placental function. Probably just as well that he did not hang about...

SoozyWoozy · 11/02/2012 20:11

Thankyou for this thread! I am only 17w with number four, but still interesting to read :)

My three:

DD1 - 41w latent phase was hugely long, 16 hours in established labour but she was OP / ventouse, 8lbs 1oz

DD2 - (my best!) - 38+4, latent phase unremarkable, established labour 1 hour with a 6 minute second stage :) 2 pushes and she was out! Hospital waterbirth...6lbs 13oz

DD3 - 41w stuck at fully effaced / 3cms dilated with waters in tact for ONE WEEK!!! Laboured after reflexology - established labour 1hr 30. Home waterbirth... 8lbs 1oz.

This time, hoping for another waterbirth - I can't 'do' entonox and find the water the BEST pain relief. Not sure if home or hospital yet...

Dirtydishesmakemesad · 11/02/2012 20:33

dc1 40+6 5 hours ish labour 7 pounds 6
dc2 induced at 35 weeks
dc3 induced at 36 weeks
dc4 came on her own at 39+3 7 pounds 13 agai 5 hourish labour but this time started off by my waters breaking in the night.