first baby at 40 weeks- second at ???

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My DS came at 40 weeks and 1 day. Am 38 weeks with DC2 and wondering how things will pan out. I realise there are NO rules as 'every pregnancy is different' but it has also been suggested that if you have reg menstrual cycle it's common for babies to come around 40 weeks. Anyone care to share their experiences?? Am SO ready (and so NOT ready) for this little one to arrive!!!

I was googling this the other week and apparently on average 2nd and subsequent babies are 6 days earlier than 1st.

My own experience was that 1st 2 were born bang on time at 40 weeks, and my 3rd arrived 8 days early.

DD1 40 weeks
DD2 40 weeks 5 days
DS 40 weeks 8 days.

DS1 39 + 4
DS2 40 weeks on the nail
DC3 - due last Friday and still waiting

I have read that whilst it is more likely you will go over with a 1st, actually it's all pretty random.

DS1 40 weeks
DS2 40weeks + 5
DC3 ? due june 2010

and i do have a very reg cycle too even when coming off pill i seem to pop back into my normal 28day routine straight away.

DS1 - 40 weeks dead on
DS2 - 37wks 4 days

Hope that cheers you up :-)

40 weeks +5
due on thurs dc and still waiting... (6 days over)

can i ask those how did your 2nd labours start? BHs have been driving me mad for weeks but they're not progressing.

DD 40 + 2
DS 40 + 4

re: 2nd labour, had BH on and off for 2 weeks, culminating in a friday/sat when every time I stood up/walked anywhere had one pretty much every 10 minutes, but sometimes 15. But stopped when I sat down. By the Sunday I was 40+ 3 and totally fed up. Went to the gym in the morning, had a work out AND took DD swimming, then went for a walk on Hampstead Heath. BH throughout (was being very active!) After about hour of walk, noticed that contractions started to be a little uncomfortable, and very regular every 10 mins. Even when i went home contactions continued but no show until 8pm, by 10pm went to hospital. DS born at 6 minutes past midnight hence 4 days late rather than 3 days!

DS1 40+6
DS2 40+10 (eek!)

28 day scyle - like clockwork!

DS - Due date.
DD - 40+7

ds1 - 40+6
ds2 - 40+9 - wish I'd never read the thing about 1st babies usually being more overdue - doesnt seem to be the case in loads of people's experience.

i had a similar 2nd time start of labour to MumNWLondon - BH for about three weeks before it kicked off properly. had a sweep too and was already a few cm dilated on the Tuesday, but still didnt have ds2 till the Sunday.

Sorry if I sound bitter - hope yours makes an appearance before too long.

DS 40+1
DD 40+1
DD due March 2010

dd1 40+4
dd2 40+10 (but they moved my due date earlier even though I was very sure of dates. On original due date I would have been 40+3)
dd3 due 2nd Feb 2010 (so I'm thinking it will come around the 6th!)

DD#1 40+12
DD#2 40+8
DD#3 39+5

DS induced early so doesn't count (39+4)
DD1 - 40+6
DD2 - 40+6
DC4 - due May 2010

thanks all- very interesting! my braxton hicks are painless but quite strong.....the thought of feeling like this for even a few days let alone weeks.....eeesh........i feel about a hundered.

I've had

1 due date baby
2 due date minus one
3 due date plus one

So am very intrigued as to what this one will do!!

FWIW, I have completely clockwork 28 day cycles (despite having polycystic ovaries)