If your first bub came early, what are the chances that your second one will too?

I am just LOVING how random people are commenting on how massive I am. They are all shocked to hear that my due date is still 7 weeks away. Hell, even I am! I am gigantenormous!

I was equally large with DS. So clearly I am just a fat pregnant chick...so be it.

What I am a little concerned about is how I was this big with DS and he came early. I was scheduled for a c-section at 38.4 weeks, but he decided to come at 38.2. The hospital messed me around a bit and the whole labour/birth/BF gig was extremely traumatic and something I am petrified to have repeated. Having said all of that, DS was super well-cooked. The paediatrician asked us how overdue he was because he looked like he could have been 2 weeks overdue, not 2 weeks early (it may have had something to do with all the brownies he ate in-utero, who knows?!)

I am scheduled for a c-section this time around at 38.6 weeks. That is 4 days after DS made his appearance and I am really scared that things could repeat themselves (though this time I will be telling the staff how things are gonna work as opposed to the other way around!) The reason it is later is because I have to have an umbilical hernia operated on straight after the c-section - that is the only day the surgeon can do it. As with DS, DD has been semi-engaged for ages already (though has eaten fewer brownies in-utero).

So that is the background ramble, but my real question is for those of you who have had more than one child who came early. If the first one came early are your chances greater that the second one will as well? Does the fact that I am carrying the same way and the fact that they were both pretty well-engaged early on influence things?

I am so sure that this one will make an early appearance that I have already bought everything and am packing my hossy bag this week!

Any stories would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I was petrified I would have an another early baby. Dd1 arrived at 34 after my waters broke.

With dd2 I went into labour at 35 weeks, but with medication and bed rest I got to 37 weeks.

With Ds I again went into labour at 34 weeks but with bed rest I got to 39 +4.

So although labour did start early I got further along each time with support from my ob and the midwives at the hospital.

My first came 2 weeks early and my second 2 weeks late.....

I'm not sure there is an exact answer to your question, i kind of thought if one came early then subsequent babies would too, but i clearly didn't follow that rule!

DS I went into labour at 25 weeks, DD1 I went into labour but as above was held off with medication and bed rest in the end she was 8 days late. DD2 I went into labour at 39+6

These 2 who knows!! Can I ask how they organised your hernia to be fixed after your csec I'm trying to get this but my dr won't even give me a csec date let alone discuss the hernia - sorry for off topic


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DD was delivered at 34 weeks (not going into the massively long story. basically - She had issues. My placenta gave up. It was unsafe for her to be in there anymore)

I'm scared about going full term and (hopefully) vbac'ing a big 8lb boofa.

I had labour scares at 28w and 31w.
They said I wasn't in labour because the CTG didn't show contractions. I wasn't dialated. But I was having massive period-type pains and and nearly all the pains were in my back.

So, next time I think I'll go early.

Thank you ladies for taking the time to reply.

Charlotte, I am also having period-like pains in the evenings. One evening I actually started timing them because they were occurring so regularly - fortunately all was good by the morning. I still don't know what they would be called. It isn't like braxton hicks.

MrsS, it was my OB that suggested we address both issues at the same time. Basically then you don't need a separate hossy visit and general anesthetic (esp. not a good idea if you are BFing and have a little baby!). You also need to spend a couple of weeks taking it easy and not picking up heavy objects after the hernia op - which you will be avoiding doing anyway after a C-Section. So practically it is good to do them together when you have some support. Having said all of that, they are not using a mesh on my hernia because it is more painful and recovery could have more complications with the mesh. I am assuming you are going private if you are having an elective C-Section? If so, what you need to do is demand a c-section date from your OB. You also need to get him to write a referral letter to a general surgeon that will be working and available at the hospital at the same time as your c-section. You then need to get the hernia assessed by the surgeon and he / she should agree that an operation is necessary and it is viable to do it while you are under a spinal block. I hope you work it out. Don't lose sight of the fact that you are paying full-fees as a private patient and can demand that things are addressed at YOUR convenience.

It really helps knowing that I am not alone in this situation. Thanks again ladies :)

Charlotte it could be pre labour pains as the baby is growing and moving your body is getting ready.

That said some of my contractions in my back wouldn't register but the midwife could feel them.

I'm going public but being twins and already having a csec plus the positions of the babies I have no option other than a csec but I'll be sure to make those demands still!
With the period like pains I've been getting so many and quite intense at times I was told the more pregnancies you have that make it to the 3rd tri the "better" the Braxton hicks will be but that wasn't a medical opinion just friends personal experiences


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DD1 was 37+6
DD2 was 39+4

I always thought DD2 would be earlier but she was (is) stubborn and hung in for the long haul so it doesn't necessarily mean you will go earlier with #2

DS 1 was 3 days early but labour actually began 4 days before due date.
DS2 was 7 days early.
DD was 1 day early. She almost had me thinking i'd be going over :)

The few 'professionals' i spoke to said it was likely that you go early once you had in previous pregnancies but who can really tell??? I think it's bubs who make that decision.