Was your second later than your first?

[RMarieClaire]

Just curious to know what other's experience has been of gestation periods. My daughter was born 37+5 at a very healthy 7lb5. I'm now 38 weeks with our son. Still very early days I know, but I can't help feeling a bit demoralised as I was hoping we'd meet him a similar time, and I'm worried how much bigger he'll be too.

If your subsequent births were later, how much later? And were they much bigger?

I'm walking like crazy and eating all the dates - but no signals whatsoever. He just seems very comfy!

38 then 39+3. Dd2 was an ounce bigger.

37 weeks
One the day
10 days late.
Sorry!

Yes, annoyingly!

DS1 was born at 39+2, weighing 6lb 11oz
DS2 was born at 40+5, weighing 8lb
DS3 was the same gestation at 39+2 and weighed 8lb 6oz.

DS1 was born at 39+1 at 7lb3
DS2 was born at 40+5 at 8lb3

It's hard when you get past the date the first was born - you feel like you're late even though you're not. I completely expected DS2 to be earlier so by the time he finally arrived I felt like I'd been pregnant forever!

For what it's worth, second birth was lots easier even though he was so much bigger.

I was in a similar situation. I had my first at 38 weeks and was convinced my second would be the same. Second was born 6 days after her due date but felt so much later as I was expecting her to be early. Second was a few ounces heavier than the first but she was longer so not a more difficult birth. I know when you’re at that stage it can be a very frustrating wait but they’ll come when they’re ready. Hopefully it won’t be too long!

I've had three births so far:

DC1: 40w2d 8 lb 12
DC2: 38w2d 7 lb
dC3: 40w3d 9 lb 12

DC1 has not yet forgiven DC3 for being a whole lb heavier than he was lol

I'm currently almost 37 weeks with DC4

My second labour was actually super fast, we barely made it to the hospital. He was clearly in a hurry and in a very optimal position to come out as if on a water slide!

DC1: 40+3 (8lb)
DC2: 39+6 (5lb10oz)

Currently 38+3 with DC3 and she can stay where she is for another week at least please, we haven't fully sorted everything out (did pack my bag this weekend though!)

First one was 39+3, 6lb 3oz.
DC2 39 wks 7lbs 2oz
DC3 40+1 7lbs 40z

Doesn't seem to have any rhyme or reason does it?

DS1 - 38+5 waters broke spontaneously 5lb 8oz
DS2 - 41+1 induction 7lb 11oz

I was so impatient for DS2 thinking that he would be earlier than DS1!

Good luck and congratulations!

DS1 was born at 40+6 (8lb15)
DS2 was born at 41+6 (9lb8)

I thought DS2 was never coming! Despite being bigger and later, the labour and birth were much easier.

Good luck with you impending birth OP

DD1 38weeks 7lbs 12oz
DD2 41+4 9lbs 4oz
DS 42 couple of hours before they induced me 😅 9lbs 3oz

Dc1 was 37+3
Dc2 and dc3 were both 38+6

No, the other way round, but in a good way.

DC1 term plus 18 days (42+4) followed by DC2 term minus 6 days (39+1)

Sorry missed that about weight - dc1 was lighter than Dc2 but only by a pound

Went into labour at 38+4 with dc1. He weighted 6Ib 9oz.
Went into labour at 39 weeks exactly with dc2. She weighted 7Ib 15oz.

Didn't eat differently so no idea how to account for the weight difference.

Good luck

DD1 - 39+3 7lb 4 oz
DS2 - 40+3 8lb 14 oz.

If it helps my son was an easy peasy birth despite being pretty big! Very quick, no pain relief and no stitches.

Good luck! The laat 2 week suck!

Yes ds1 4 days early and ds2 was 6 days late that extra 10 days felt like it lasted a lifetime!!!

37 weeks, 38 weeks, 40 weeks.

Our 1st was forced out as I had high bp, induced and she arrived at 39+6 weighing 7lb 7oz.
Our 2nd I started dilating at 39+6 but he didn't come until 40+5 and they had to break my waters as he was in no rush. He was 10lb 12oz but had an unassisted delivery with only 15mins pushing so not too bad.
3rd was better, 2 days labour. Arrived at 40+2 9lb 10oz so a breeze after the boy.
Twins were breech so elcs at 38wk, they were17lb combined.
Hoping for a vbac this time, probably will be another big one. Bump is growing rapidly now at 22+6wk.

Thank you all so much! So interesting to read other's experiences, and makes you realise you cannot just assume that the standard preconceptions will apply.

Hilariously, after reading these had a lovely chat with my OH about how waiting longer would be a good thing - I can finish work and wind down and spend time with my daughter. And now... could be a false alarm but I think I might be in very early labour after all that.

@Muststopeating

DD1 - 39+3 7lb 4 oz DS2 - 40+3 8lb 14 oz.

If it helps my son was an easy peasy birth despite being pretty big! Very quick, no pain relief and no stitches.

Good luck! The laat 2 week suck!

That's great. I was so so lucky with my daughter to not have too much damage. Need to prepare myself for that not being the case this time around but this gives me hope!

Ds1 was 33+2 weighing 2lb 14oz and ds2 was 36 weeks weighing 5lbs 3oz.

My first labour started at 40 weeks, he was born at 40+3 weighing 3.3kg. My second came at 41+5 weighing 4.04kg!

Mine got earlier and smaller!

Dd1 - 9lb12oz and 4 days early
Ds - 9lb3oz and 10 days early
Dd2 - 7lb15oz and induced at 36+6.

Earlier for me! First was 8 days early and second was 10 days. He weighed a little bit more though. Was a faster labour as well. I’m hoping number three just drops out 12 days early 😂