If you are below average height - did your baby arrive early?

[gebs]

This is totally lighthearted by the way!

Yesterday I went to an nhs birthing plan with about 8 or 9 other couples. When we were there my dh recognised one of the other couples through mutual friends so after the session had finished he introduced me to them.

They were lovely, we were chatting away and the other lady was due three days before me. She asked about my symptoms and said she'd only just this week had to start getting up in the night to wee and having disrupted sleep. Now I'm 34 weeks tomorrow and felt like the green eyed monster as I haven't sleep well since about 24 weeks! As well as having a bit of a rotten third trimester generally, I have a lot of pressure down there now, however this other lady was significantly taller than me.

I know everyone carries differently and I'm sure they'll be a mixed bag of responses, but I just wondered if you were shorter- did you give birth on time or were you earlier? I'm 5'2, as is my mum and she had me and my brother about a week early (which gives me hope for similar!)

No, I’m just over 5’ and was enormous and very uncomfortable by the end both times (the babies were both quite big considering how small I am). But they were both a few days late. Partly due to v long labours. But everyone’s different so I don’t think you can tell TBH!

Yes, I’m 5’ and went into labour at 38+4. My labour didn’t progress well - the doctor thought it was due to DD’s size and position, so I had an EMCS at 38+5.

DD was 7lb, (so big for me but not exactly huge), and back to back.

My entirely unscientific explanation is that she was born early because she ran out of room. It would make perfect sense to me if small women gave birth a bit earlier as we don’t want the baby growing too big.

5'2" 11 days late, over 9 1/2. Probably not what you want to hear. 2nd was also late and big too.

Nope. One bang on time and one 2 days "late".

I'm 5 foot 2 and was induced 10 days after due date

I am 5ft 3. Mine were all two weeks late, sorry. The length of pregnancy is related to the length of your menstrual cycle. Mine were 28-33 days.

No. 14 days late. 20 days late (eventually induced reluctantly).
5ft 2.
Also a midwife.
It isn't a correlation at all 🙊.

That's my theory out the window by the sounds of it 😂 as I said totally lighthearted, she'll arrive when she's ready I guess!

Im just under 5' and first DC was 7lb 11 and 3 days late, 2nd was 7lb 4 and 10 days early. Both born without any probs and short labour

No, 16 days late.

(And a short menstrual cycle)

Sorry, 5 foot, 2 weeks late and still wouldn't come out even with 4 days of induction. Definitely not what you wanted to hear

Also sorry! I'm 5'3", both babies two weeks late, both 9/10lb!

5"2, both induced at 10 days and 12 days over respectively.

@gebs you might be early because the gestation your mother went into labour with you is a good predictor for when you will. Not a guarantee but likely to be similar.
I'm 5'4 so average height, but small build. I had a large baby at 40+4. I know several people larger than me in height and build who say they had their smaller baby because they just couldn't grow any bigger and it makes me roll my eyes.

My DM is shorter than average & had her babies close to her due date. I am taller than average & also had mine close to my due date.

Yes. I am 5'1 and my first came exactly one week early. Big deal. My DT's were born via elective c-section at 37.6 weeks and I was the size of a large continent and looked like one of those animals that children make with a potato and toothpicks. I was threatening to remove them myself with a plastic knife and fork for weeks prior to this event. Mother Nature is not always logical or kind.

5ft 2. One almost two weeks early, the other the day before due date.

I'm 5'2" and both mine were six days late.

I’m 5ft 1, 9 week old DS was 2 weeks late.

No, I'm not quite 5'2" and all three were 10 days over

I’m 5’2 and both dd were 40+4, totally spontaneous/natural. Must just be how long I brew them for. Ive got (relatively!) long legs and shorter torso so I was all belly out the front, I think longer torso people the baby has more space without sticking out as much, well, in theory! My two had their feet firmly wedged under my ribs by the end (ouch!) and I felt absolutely huge. I look back at photos now and I am amazed at how neat and gorgeous I looked! (At the time I felt awful - sweaty, heartburn, no sleep, wind etc).

No, I'm 5'3" and DS was 3 days late.

I'll have to report back in 6 (ish) weeks with an update 😂 though it does sound like most of you were later!

In relation to cycles that's an interesting one, mine became longer in length and weren't regular in the three months of off the pill/ttc so not sure where that places me.

Im 5'1 and all mine were early from 28wks-38wks and tiny my biggest baby was 6lbs 1onz.

For anyone interested... she came 5 days early at 6lbs7ozs last month!

Pot luck I'm sure though.