how common is it for babies to arrive really early?!

[glittercaz]

I know full term is 37 weeks onwards but it seems that a lot of ladies on here have arrived around the 30 week mark, or even sooner! (There was someone on the recent 'when to pack hospital bag thread' whose baby arrived at 32 weeks...)

Reason I'm asking is that I've been invited to stay for a long weekend in rural Cumbria at around 33 weeks...my booking in hospital is in London). Is this a bit mad, or should I just take my notes/find out where nearest hosp is and hope for the best?! x

i would not think of the baby coming before 37 weeks, unless there is a reason to..

eg multiple pregnancy

pre eclampsia

placental issues

history of prem birth

go and enjoy yout weekend, take your notes and find out where the nearest maternity hospital is, just in case. but unless you have a reason to think you will go very early, then don;t worry !!

Hi Glitter, I agree with Lulumama- go and enjoy yourself on your weekend away.

If you have a problem free pregnancy, then I think you should go on the long weekend, and enjoy yourself

ive seen that thread, the lady whos baby arrived early had , IIRC, oligohydramnios, (too little amniotic fluid) where prem birth is often the case...

From some reading I did about this a couple of years ago it seems that first time older mothers have earlier babies.

or very young mothers (teenagers ) are more likely to have prem babies.

You may be right, Belgo, I was reading up for a friend who was 39 at the time and whose MW had convinced her her baby would be late because it was her first. It was 3 weeks early, she went into labour the day after I told her I'd read differently about first time older mothers. I suppose at least she knew it might be the real thing (if the pains didn't give it away).

thanks ladies, that's reassuring.

slightly concerned as my bump was measuring one week ahead last time - am 26 weeks today - and placenta is low lying and at the front. (having scan to check it's moved at 36 weeks, i know they usually do). but a bit concerned either of these could affect matters.....also don't really understand how one knows if there is too little/much fluid around baby without a scan, or is this something they can tell at monthly checks? (I have the next one in 2 1/2 weeks)...any thoughts?

re measruing ahead:

it is a bit hit and miss, the fundal measurement, and as long as the measurement is around the size that is expected, then 1 cm ahead is not an issue, IMHO,

also

you would have been told if there was an issue with your amniotic fluid, so please don;t be concerned about that

a low lying placenta - quite common, on the whole they move out of the way, so that should not be a reason for prem birth !