For you mamas who have gone early

[organicpapayamama]

Did you have a hunch you were going to deliver early? Did you have symptoms that it was going to happen?

The reason I ask is because this is going to be my second full term baby (knock on wood) that I give birth to. This time around I am having TONS, I mean TONS of braxton hicks contractions. I have had some so strong I have had to sit down and breathe through them. So far it has been nothing major and Im not too worried about it as they are irregular and I dont think they are making any cervical changes. But what I do think about is that I am due in early May and Im thinking there is no way Im gonna last that long. Im 28 weeks measuring 31. Like I said the contractions are everyday at least 5-15 in a day sometimes not anything major sometimes straight out painful. I feel huge already. I feel so stretched I think I may rip soon. I cant imagine going all the way to May. So im wondering how likely it is that I may have an April baby. I know, your guess is as good as mine and baby will come when shes ready but just thought I would ask for fun and see what other mamas have gone through. TIA!

[Peony]

DD1 arrived right at 38 weeks, I never thought that she was going to come early, I was prepared for late. I thought I was going to go early with DD2, I was very prepared, I had TONS of BH starting at 20 weeks, more then 5 a hour, even when I was siting down, Anytime I moved, I had them constantly, very painful. DD2 arrived at 38w and 6d. And then I got pg again. Planned for early yet again. I was miserable, I was so much bigger then I had ever been before, utterly exhausted, constant BH yet again and the little stinker stayed in until right at 41 weeks. So yes, you never know!

[Alyantavid]

Mine both came at 38 weeks. And I did have a feeling, I had lots of contractions that were causing me to dilate. With ds2, I was 5 cm a week before delivery and he held on longer than I thought he would.

[BetsyS]

I'm the opposite. Mine came at 41 and 42 weeks. I knew from the very beginning I'd be late.

I'm pregnant again, and I added 10 days to my due date (the one I told my doc), because I know I'll go late again.

[matey]

My ds came at 36 weeks. I did not have a feeling. I did not have bh. I lost my plug and went into labor. I had been at the dr. on a tuesday, where I should no signs of anything, and had my son on that friday am.

My IRL friend starting having contractions around 30-31 weeks or so. Her baby was due late march/early april and he arrived April 1. She really paniced about the contractions too. Her midwife told her to chill out and drink some wine. That's what she did.

[RedOakMomma]

My second pregnancy went early--38 weeks and change. Since I'd gone to 40wk 1 day with twins, I never expected to go early with just one. So yeah...total surprise. The only thing that WAS the same is it started with a rupture of membranes.

[JorgieGirl]

I fully expected to go to 42 weeks according to my entire family history. I was taken completely off guard that I birthed my baby at 39+3. The only thing that maybe I should have taken into account (and not laughed at when my mw told me) was that my DD was direct OA position at my final appt at 39 weeks. MW said that it could mean she's coming very soon.

[Mosaic]

I KNEW I'd go late as a first-timer, at least a few days but easily up to 2 weeks late. Just knew it. Never doubted it. Had tons of BHs, but they didn't bother me at all. I felt great my entire pregnancy and never hit that point where I just wanted it OVER.

Until DD fell out at 38w2d.

FWIW, I also knew she was a boy.

[LinzMommy2Be]

I had a TON of BH contractions with DS. I had a very strong feeling I would go early and I was right. My water broke at 34 weeks and DS was born at 35 weeks.

[skeeter30]

Hey mama! just last week I had my second early baby! Both of my children, one a boy, almost 11 now and one a girl, a week old, were born at shortly over 36 weeks. With my son, I had never been pregnant, was only 21 and I had no clue I would be going early. The morning I woke up and my water broke, I was just like,"NO WAY!"At that point I wasn't as educated about birth, getting pregnant or any of that kind of stuff...KWIM? Anyway, this time around, I really knew she was coming early. I had continuous braxton hicks contractions but, nothing painful. IDK if that would tell you you will be early but, I was also measuring about two weeks ahead. My baby was not big though either. She weighed 6pnds, 1/2 an ounce. Also when I went to my 35 week appointment, my midwife did an internal to see what was going on b/c she knew I delivered my son early. At that point I was already 3cm dilated and 70% effaced. My tummy dropped 10 days before she came. My ankles and feet started swelling about 2 days before delivery b/c she was moving down into my pelvis. I think my body only has so much room and really can't hold a baby past this 36 week point...IDK but, I did have a hunch and I was right. Luckily I listened to my own instinct and had everything finished and waiting for her for about 4 days before she came. I was also lucky that I have a midwife who I have been seeing since I was 18 and she knows my body and my history. It was all pretty helpful! I don't know if anything I have written is at all helpful to you but, I just want to wish you good luck!

[sew_crafty_girl]

Both my babies came early. 36 and 37 wks. I had no warning, just went into labour. Well, I did lose my plug and my son dropped the night before I had him *shrug* I had lots of BH with both of them. Never measured off. My 36wk daughter was 5lbs 15oz and my 37wk son was 7lbs 5 oz.

This time I'm measuring right on again and having TONS of BH. I'm really hoping to 'follow a trend' and at least make it to 38 wks as I'm homebirthing this time and don't want to go earlier than 37wks.

[JessieBird]

I was very surprised to have a November baby when I was expecting a December baby! I had mentally prepared myself to go quite late (based on all the first baby stats that had been fed to me) and had no incling that he'd be early - 38 weeks, so just a little early but it felt like a lot when I went into labour on November 28 I was expecing him around Christmas!

In hindsight, I too had lot of BH though I could rarely feel them. Instinct would tell me to touch my belly and it would be rock hard. My midwives and osteopath told me I was having contractions all the time (during check ups and osteo treatments / massage) but I rarely felt them. I also carried very low and my osteopath was nervous that I'd go very early. I just remembered that now, had completely forgotten that she'd said that. It scared the pants off of me at the time.

[GreenTeaGinger61]

All of mine came early: two at a little over 36 and one right at 36. I had no clue with the first two. No Bhs, nothing, until my water broke in a big way. With the third, I had no Bhs or anything but woke up on the first, and announced to my dh "We're going to have a May day baby." And we did. I'm trying to keep this one in until 37 week so I can go to the birth center. Anything before that will risk me out I sort of suspect this one might actually go to my due date which is fine too

[cyndalnronny]

i have 2 girls both were 34 and a half wks i had bh with both of them. i also cant carry past 35 wks so i dont know how much i can help with that. this one is my 3rd and i finally get the little boy i have been trying for. i do know and have read that bh if bad enough can cause pre term labor.

[J's Mama]

My son came 6 days early. Being my first, I was not anticipating this. I never really felt my BHs either but as a previous poster stated, I would touch my belly and it would feel like a rock! I didn't realize it then, but the morning before I gave birth, I felt alot of pelvic pressure and assumed the baby had dropped and I would give birth in about a week. But at 2am that following morning, my water broke and within 4 hours I had my son in my arms!