If you deliver early, will this happen in subsequent pregnancies too?

[FurtivelyPosting]

Hi. I'm newly pregnant with DC number four. I'm thinking about what kind of delivery I would like/can have (I know, I'm sad!) but there's one thing I'm not sure about. My last two babies arrived before their due date - one was 5 days early and the other (my last baby) was three weeks early. Only my first child was late, as that's not uncommon with first pregnancies.

I'm now wondering whether this baby has an increased chance of arriving early (I really, really hope not) simply because my last two were. Is there a kind of pattern with these things or is every pregnancy different and unpredictable?

Any advice would be appreciated.

depends what caused the earlier arrivals or if that is just when you went into labour.....

what sort of delivery would you like

but it is one of those 'how long is a piece of string questions...

is this a secret name for now ?

the statistical evidence is that if you are early there is a an increased small chance that you will be early in subsequent pregnancies
there is no statistical link with lateness

Lulumama - with my DS who was only five days early, my membranes ruptured spontaneously and I went into labour four hours later. With my last DS (three weeks early), I had spotting and contractions six weeks before he was due but it all calmed down again after a few hours. Four weeks before he was due, my membranes spontaneously ruptured but I didn't go into labour. We waited a week to see if labour would start and when it didn't, I had to be induced. I don't know if it was the result of induction but my labour was very intense and rapid - very strong contractions kicked in immediately and I had my son two hours later. DH didn't get there in time and missed the whole thing. This is what I'm worried about this time. I don't want to be left labouring on an empty ward on my own with a midwife who is disinterested, who won't believe me when I tell her I need to push and who refuses to phone my husband because she doesn't believe I'm as far along as I am. I just can't go through that again. I've asked my GP about a home birth (that's the kind of birth that I would really like) but he has told me that they "don't do home births" at his surgery and that I'd have to find another GP "willing to cover" me. So I'm a bit crushed about that. I'm worried about going into hospital again and having a repeat performance of my last birth. Sorry to go on and on - it's just on my mind at the moment. My name isn't that secret; I changed it a few months ago when I had a false alarm. I ought to change it back really (usual user name is Creena).

andiem - thanks for that information. It's comforting to know that statistically. there is only an increased small chance. I hope that's the case for me - I want to keep this one growing for as long as possible! DS2 was only 6lb 3oz when he was born and seemed so tiny in comparison to me other babies. I would worry about his feeding and weight gain all of the time.

Both mine were three weeks early.

i think it is a how long is a peice of string question unfortunately.

My DS was 6 wks early and then DD and DS2 were exactly a week early but there really is no rhyme or reason as a rule.

Thanks for all of the replies - I appreciate it. I guessed it would be one of those unpredictable things, what with every pregnancy being different etc. I think I'm going to concentrate on enjoying this pregnancy and not worry about the birth and just deal with that as best as I can when it's time to!

By the way, this is still FurtivelyPosting. I've just reverted back to my usual username.

Don't listen to your GP though, you have every right to have a homebirth. He does not have to be involved at all. Talk to your midwife about it if it is what you really want. Hope you enjoy your pregnancy.

maxbear - I have been wondering about that. I'm sure I've seen posts here on MN where people have said that you can insist on a homebirth. My midwife is on holiday at the moment but I'm hoping to arrange a booking-in appointment with her when she gets back next week. Just so that I sound as though I know what I'm talking about, what rights do I have regarding the birth and where can I find out more?

there is a fab home birth website - AIMS (I think).
Do bear in mind that they don't like you to have pre-term babies at home.
My ds1 was 37wks, I went into labour (planned homebirth) with ds2 at 36+6.

aims not just homebirth but lots of relevant info.

oooh creeena ! congratulations, i remember you, nice to see you again!!

homebirth would definitely be a good option after last time, you will definitely have a midwife with you and it won;t matter if DH gets sent home

www.homebirth.org.uk and www.aims.org.uk are good places to start

BTW, homebirht is not up to the GP, it is up to the hospital/ midwives/pct... it is your legal right to ahve one !

I think/have read that if you've had a medically early delivery (ie before 36 weeks) your chances of having another one increase by 10% (bearing in mind the chance of an early baby is about 10%)

ie by that definition none of yours 'counts' as really early, so who knows

fwiw, ds (first) was 4 weeks early, dd (second) was 2 days late. I had a homebirth planned for dd - of which my mw was super supportive (indeed, suggested) - didn't happen, but am glad that was how it was planned.

Good luck

Thanks so much everyone - those links are great! I'm feeling more positive now and confident enough to be able to push for what I want when I have my booking in appointment.

Thank you ladies - you'e all excellent!

very excited for you ! and your pics are lovely, aren;t you gorgeous! and your DCs do wish poeople would stop posting pictures of beautiful, snuggly babies , makes my ovaries ping!

DD1 - 2 days early (8.6lb)
DS1 - 10 days late (8.12lb)
DD1 - 7 days early (8.6lb)
DS2 - due in May

No rhyme nor reason with mine I'm afraid. Weights went up and down too. They did all get quicker though.

thanks Lulumama. I had more up to date photos of my littlest on my FP profile but now I've reverted back to my old username they disappeared. Will have to do some profile updating now.

Also, I don't think my ovaries ever stop pinging (DH jokes that he'll be rivalling Mel Gibson brood-wise soon)!