Will baby arrive pre 37 weeks? DP going abroad for fortnight!

[Festen]

How likely is it that a baby will be premature if mum and baby have both been healthy and well throughout pregnancy?

I'm 32 weeks with first DC. DP going abroad for work during week 34 and 35 and i'm nervous about going into labour when he's out of the country. Early babies are common in my family (I'm 1 of 5 and the latest of us was born at 37 weeks, others were premature with complications). Would there be signs that midwife would pick up on if baby was going to be premature? Or can it just be out of the blue?

Advice for a rookie please

They just come when they are ready. Trying to predict when, or attempting to get them out with old wives tales, are exercises in futility sorry but that is just the way it is.

Absolutely no way of knowing I'm afraid. I have a friend who was born at 34 weeks, as were her sisters. Her DC1 arrived prem (32 wks), but DC2 at 41...

I'd imagine there are millions of anecdotes to support every eventuality.

Sorry OP - no help at all, I know.

Can he not go?

I'm not an expert at all, but I would imagine that if you have a history of premature babies in family, the likelihood for you baby to come early would be a bit higher than for those who don't. Don't quote me on that, it's just my guess...

Most of mine have come before 37 weeks. First pregnancy was uneventful, no extra risks.. she just came super fast with a precipitous labour at 36+6. I was still in shock the next day as we brought her home. Not expected at all, no signs - nothing.

I would be extremely unhappy if my partner disappeared out the country for any amount of time post 30 weeks! His work should be more understanding.

Does he have to go? Sounds a bit daft unless it's essential.

No way of knowing for sure.

My first was born at 37 weeks with very little warning. Went to bed as normal (no aches or pains or anything out of the ordinary)at about 10:30, waters broke at about midnight, baby born 6 hours later.

As others have said absolutely no way of predicting it. If there is no way your DP can get out of going abroad then, I would suggest you set up a back-up birth partner just in case. Although as others have said I would be telling his work that he can't go - we had to do the same when my DS was due so they sent someone else.

Not going is not an option for him. We've known all year that this trip was going to happen. He could be home in 4-5 hours if I needed him. It's not in the slightest bit ideal but sadly that's how it is.

If there's no way of telling whether baby will come early or not, I can accept that and just hope for the best. I'm definitely not one for old wives tales...I just wanted to know if midwife could actually predict based on baby's position or any other signs, etc.

I think statistically it's much more likely that the baby will arrive once he's back. So try not to worry - good luck!

Mine were born at 34 & 37 weeks, happy, healthy pregnancies, no reason as to why, both babies fine.

PS. First one out of the blue, was a bit more prepared for baby no 2 just in case, no signs if early labour whatsoever

If he can be back in 4-5 hours, that's not so bad as you would just contact him immediately and chances are it would be hours off.

I don't think there is any way of knowing. At 37 weeks my midwife said 'any day now!'. DD was induced at 42+1.

My babies didn't come prior to 37 weeks, but if DH had been 4-5 hours away, and I called him at the very first sign, he'd have missed their births.