First babies - are they ever early

[stepmum88]

I'm 34+5 with first baby....... my husband is convinced all first babies are late (SS was, he was)..... but I'm paranoid that my bubba will be early so want to get things done RIGHT NOW. Anyone had any experience? X

Oh yes - 33 weeks in our case. Was still working, had no kit bought and my overnight bag wasn't even packed. Nothing wrong with getting organised I'd say. (Better than making rushed forays into Mothercare between visits to the SCBU anyway!)

My first came 4 days early and a friends came at 34 weeks, so no they're not always late. Always good to be prepared.

My first was 39+2, my 2nd was 40+3. I think there is some evidence to suggest a lot of first babies are late but 'full term' can be anywhere from 37 to 42 weeks. 40 weeks just happens to be in the middle so it's used as a marker.

Some are, but the majority are born after 40 weeks. In some countries they sensibly say a pregnancy is longer and give a 41 week due date

32 weeks for me. I had nothing ready, I also had a weeks stay in hospital, so DP had to fly around in between visiting SCBU/me.

Yes get everything done. I think first babies come a day or two later on average so some will be early some will be late. My best friend bought into the 'first babies are always late thing' and her DC1 came at 37+0, before she'd started mat leave, collected her buggy or built the cot. She was really stressed out and I think it spoiled the first couple of weeks for her a little bit. I would definitely plan to have most things done by 36/37 weeks.

Btw I was told the best predictor of when your first baby will come is the gestation your mum and sisters delivered their babies. Don't know if that's true!

First baby was born at 37 weeks as were the following two babies.

DD1 was born at 36 weeks. I was apparently born at 35 weeks. So yes, definitely can come early.

DD2 waited until 39 weeks. It was the longest "extra" 4 weeks!

DD1 was born at 36 weeks. I was apparently born at 35 weeks. So yes, definitely can come early.

DD2 waited until 39 weeks. It was the longest "extra" 4 weeks!

39 weeks here for 1st, 39+3 for 2nd

37 weeks + days with first . Had nothing ready as all first children are born late.
Ds 2 was 2 days late!! He's been a pain ever since!!!
Good luck

35+5 here.

Of course! My first was born at 39+1, out of pretty much a clear blue sky. It's far from uncommon.

My first was 10 days 'early', 2nd was 2 weeks early and 3rd a week early. I never made it as far as my due dates at all.

Yep I went into preterm labour at 35 plus 3 with my dd! She was eventually born at 37 plus 1

Nope, my first was induced at 41+2. I am currently 39+4 with DS2 and hoping like hell he vacates asap! Good luck x

Yes.

Most people I know were late with their firsts, some just by days, others weeks. I'm the only one out of my friends who was early. I was only early by a week but it does happen! Also I had zero signs I was going to be early, in fact 2 days before my midwife predicted I would be late and have to be induced! I just woke up at 5am and my waters broke and that was how I knew it was starting!

DS1 was 27 weeks, I'm currently 34 weeks with DS2 and thinking that would be happy if he came around 37 weeks.

Yes, DS1 was born at 38+2. DS2 at 39+6. I've never gone full term and never will

Yes! 35 weeks here and we had very little ready. So I'll at least have a bag packed by 34 weeks this time, if not before.

My first was born at 39+2.

I was firmly in the camp that first babies are always late, I even ignored my due date and counted to 40+10 (my hospital induces at 10 days over). I had the shock of my life when my waters went at 37+6 and my daughter was born 24 hours later.