Do some people just cook babies longer?

[mumofmunchkin]

I'm pregnant with my fourth, and so far I've gone overdue in all three pregnancies so I'm fully expecting to go over again, assuming that I just cook them a bit longer. I was just idly wondering if this is a thing though, that some women naturally have longer pregnancies, or did I just get unlucky three times (I'm not a fan of late pregnancy 😂) ?

My mum had 3 children, all of us were late, 10 days, 11days and 7 days.
My DC was 4 days late and I wasn't surprised one bit. I carried exactly as my mum did with her first although my labour was fast which was like her baby no 2 (apparently baby no 1 took daaaays!) so I guess there could be some genetic similarities?

Baby 1 was 38 weeks I was 24, baby 2 I was induced at 39+4 I was 29, baby 3 I got a sweep which kicked of labour at 40+1 I was 30. I myself was 3 months prem

I think some women just do have longer pregnancies than others.

I've had three, one roughly a week past due date, the others almost a week before. My friend had three as well, all born two weeks after her due dates.

So we worked out that she'd been pregnant for roughly seven weeks longer than me for the same number of children.

Then she had a fourth, also two weeks late.

Depends - you're not "overdue" (using a very outdated calculation to guess your 'due' date) until you get past 42 weeks as a 'normal' pregnancy is 37-42. Interestingly it's different across the world.

@catsandhens

40 mins at 180 then I turn it down to 150 for 20 mins so they dont get too dry, then serve with fava beans and a little chianti (this is for a fan oven, timings and temperatures may vary)

🤣 I just snorted my tea 🤣

Really interesting responses! Thanks!

I'm trying to get it into my head that I am definitely, absolutely going overdue this time. Last time people got in my head that a 3rd baby would come early, and going 10 days overdue was then a 'mare. Trying to set my own expectations (and have told most people the baby is due a few weeks after its actually due 😂)

First 3 days early, second 1 day late, which by then felt really late compared to first!

My first was 38 weeks so I was prepared nice and early, off work and ready from 36 weeks just incase.

Second finally turned up at 41 weeks on the dot

I was devastated by the end when I realised I would be going over

Yes studies have been done by race, age and family lineage and there is s clear genetic component in regards to gestation. The 40wks is an average of all these normals.

Both of mine were a couple of weeks early (not premature but 38 weeks).

When I was pregnant with the second I asked my consultant if he was likely to be early like the first and he said yes, it was likely if I'd gone into labour ahead of schedule the first time.

@mumofmunchkin
I have 7 and every time I was pg instead of focusing on the EDD I added 2 weeks and considered that the finish line.

In the UK it's unlikely they will let you go over 42 weeks - so I kind of figured I'll have a baby by that time, one way or the other!

Obviously I still got upset then restless when due date came & went. it's impossible not to!
But changing your point of view and focusing on "fine, 8 days left then they will get it out of me😁" is more calming than "but I'm 6 days over wah wah wah".
Does that help?

Ah my people!

I've had 5. 4 were induced. 1 (my second) was spontaneous at 10days over. All good sized (8lb11-9lb10) they were 42wk, 41+3, 42wks, 40wks (induced due to size) and 41wks (induced earlier due to my age)

Interestingly my mum had 2 small 37wk babies, and so I never expected to go way over and have big ones. But I did! I'm much more like the women on my dads side, as is my sister. I will be interested to see what happens re menopause as my mum was done by 45, I'm 42, with a 4m old and no signs yet.

Also I have short, regular 26/7 day cycles and early bfps from 8/9dpo so that is not true for me.

Like @ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba I took to telling people the due date plus 2wks in pregnancies 4 and 5 because I'd truly given up hope of having a baby before 41wks with them.

Also, it's not a case of hospitals "letting you" go over 42 weeks. It's your body, they can't drag you in at 42 weeks and force an induction on you. There's a great group on Facebook called ten month mamas uk that have lots of resources for going over 42 weeks, which for most people is safe.

My three were all ten days past due date. My brother and myself were also 10 days past due date.

One early, one very late, one late a bit and one on due date. So all different for me

@PlantLadyMum

Also, it's not a case of hospitals "letting you" go over 42 weeks. It's your body, they can't drag you in at 42 weeks and force an induction on you. There's a great group on Facebook called ten month mamas uk that have lots of resources for going over 42 weeks, which for most people is safe.

42 weeks is a rule of thumb after which is less & less safe to let a pregnancy carry on indefinitely so yes, most consultants will make a plan to induce or have an ELSC around that time. No, nobody can drag your baby out of you against your will, don't be dramatic. that's my job (see username) 🤣

it's not a hard & fast rule but a prudent and highly suggested guideline.

one of my nieces was born 16 days over, because 42 weeks fell on a Saturday so my SIL was given a choice to induce on the Friday or on the Monday.
she opted to wait, went into labour on Sunday night, had baby on Monday.

Been interesting reading this thread. My first baby was induced at 42 weeks, this baby is currently 38+6 and everyone keeps telling me he will be early because I'm measuring 40 weeks and hes a bigger baby. I fully expect to go over again. My mum and sister both went over by about 10 days in their pregnancies and I have 33 day cycles. I'll eat my hat if he's early.

I cook mine for around 20-25mins per lb, it gets tricky when it comes to oz though.

Yes I think so. Close friend had both of hers at 41 weeks so that's clearly how long she cooks them for. I think mine also go til about then.

What happens if a woman isn’t induced. So they went over 42 and didn’t give birth. My experience is so skewed.

I was overdue on my dates, but not on the NHS dates.

[quote ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba]@mumofmunchkin
I have 7 and every time I was pg instead of focusing on the EDD I added 2 weeks and considered that the finish line.

In the UK it's unlikely they will let you go over 42 weeks - so I kind of figured I'll have a baby by that time, one way or the other!

Obviously I still got upset then restless when due date came & went. it's impossible not to!
But changing your point of view and focusing on "fine, 8 days left then they will get it out of me😁" is more calming than "but I'm 6 days over wah wah wah".
Does that help?[/quote]
Thanks @ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba, this is what I'm going to try and do. I've gone 6 days over, then 2 days over, then induced at 10 days over in the past, so a really good idea to focus on a date a couple of weeks out. I'm due near the start of March, but have been telling everyone mid March to hopefully avoid the hopeful messages from people around my due date (like an email from MIL with the subject line 'baby watch' ).

@PlantLadyMum

Also, it's not a case of hospitals "letting you" go over 42 weeks. It's your body, they can't drag you in at 42 weeks and force an induction on you. There's a great group on Facebook called ten month mamas uk that have lots of resources for going over 42 weeks, which for most people is safe.

Thanks for the info, I was aware of this, but it's not for me. I get incredibly grumpy and p**d off towards the end, and more than happy for them to give me a nudge when I'm two weeks over if necessary (was induced with my 3rd).

Yes, I think women do not all have the same cooking time. Mine (3) were all 36-37 weeks. No explanation, all healthy. Doctors suggested that I may have got the dates wrong, but I knew I hadn't.

My mum's friend went 10 months with both of hers, before the days of induction, her mum was the same, but both her DD's were induced at 42 weeks - midwife used exactly that expression, you cook babies longer. Both of mine were within a day of due date

Yeah my friend went about 10 days over duenwith all 5 of hers. So I think it is a thing. I was a week early and a bit surprised as I thought first babies were supposed to be late!! Dd huge though 🤷‍♀️