Does previous early delivery predict future early delivery?

[MidwestGal]

Hi all,

DH and I are adopting and the bmom is due in 3.5 weeks. Last night she shared with us that she delivered her previous child 3 weeks early.

Never having been pregnant myself, is she more likely to have another early delivery because she already had one? Is there any sort of "pattern" with births among women?

thanks for your help!
T.

[7swans]

I don't know of any research on the topic, but my mom delivered my older brother at 38 weeks, and myself at 36 weeks. In that light, while I am mentally preparing myself to go to 41 or 42 weeks, I am making sure I have everything ready by week 35!

Since this is not the birth mom's first pregnancy, I believe that also increases the chances that she will deliver early. Congrats on your upcoming arrival!

[Peony]

It doesn't always mean that she will go early. Each one of my pgs has gotten longer in length.

[MidwestGal]

Thanks 7swans and Peony!

[fruitfulmomma]

Not sure if you are asking because you are concerned about prematurity or just want to be ready for the baby, but 37 weeks is within the normal range of delivering so unless that baby showed specific signs of prematurity that would not be a concern for me.

As far as patterns, yes there can be, or not. I tend to deliver later, with my earliest birth being at 40 + 5 past lmp and a couple of 44 weekers but I have long cycles so who knows how long I had really gestated. The last 44 weeker looked about 39 weeks to my midwife.

I would say be ready to welcome your baby any day now but also realize it could be another month or longer.

[matey]

I would love to hear more people's response to this. I had ds at 36 weeks, and have been wondering if this could mean another early baby for me.

[fruitfulmomma]

I would love to hear more people's response to this. I had ds at 36 weeks, and have been wondering if this could mean another early baby for me.

Were you sure of your dates? And remember that this isn't an exact science even with ultrasound.

Was the baby premature and if so what risk factors did you have? Have those been resolved?

Accepted range of normal delivery is 37-42 weeks, though more liberal practitioners would say 36 weeks to 43 or sometimes even longer, so it is possible that 36 weeks is normal for you and that yes you could continue with that pattern with no issues.

[MidwestGal]

Originally Posted by fruitfulmomma

Not sure if you are asking because you are concerned about prematurity or just want to be ready for the baby...

Not worried about prematurity, just worried we won't be ready! We're trying to plan as much as possible (how does one really plan for a last minute call and a trip across the country?) and when she mentioned delivering her previous child at 37 weeks alarm bells went off! "Pack bags now!" :-)

[momtoafireteam]

I had my oldest at 37 weeks, second and third at 35 weeks, fourth came latest of all at 38 weeks, and fifth at 36 weeks. Each time my dates were exact since we do fertility treatment so dates are known down to the hour. Smallest baby was 6.1lbs, largest was 8.6lbs. By the point I assume to go at least 2 weeks early, and am fully prepared by 4 weeks early.

[summerforever1977]

I went at 39w4days with number one (100% sure of conception due to charting) and I asked this question to my OB because I want to go a little early again and she said that it is more likely that I will go early rather than late, but no guarantees. Who knows?

[Lousli]

My first was 36 weeks and my second was 33. My older daughter wasn't imo full term, since she weighed only 5 pounds 4 ounces, was jaundiced and extremely sleepy. But I do think my second might not have been so early if I didn't have complications from being extremely ill and dehydrated. So I don;t know how helpful that is, but I guess I would be prepared starting around 35 weeks or so.

[at_the_hip]

I tend to go about a week over my due date. That being said, I'm pretty sure that there may be a paternal component too. So if there is a different father this time, her experience *might* be different. But I would imagine it would be wise to prepare for baby to come early - after all, once your bags are packed, you are good to go, early or not! Good luck - you must be so excited!

[GreenTeaGinger61]

I went early with all three of mine. First and second were 36.5 weeks early and third was 36. My last OB said she suspected that this was just how long held them in. My midwife is hoping we can get me to 37. I only had complications with number one (high blood pressure and swelling, likely pree). I have no idea what the norm is or if there's been research done but from what my OBs/midwife have said, it is very likely I"ll go early again.

[moonshoes]

DD was born at 36 weeks, and my next was at 40 weeks. We'll see what happens with #3!

[*Aimee*]

I had DS1 at 36w0d, DS2 at 36w3d and DS3 at 36w3d. I charted and knew my exact dates which each boy. 36 weekers can be very healthy, but they do have issues that are over looked by a lot of people because some consider them full term when they are preterm. My boys were all big too ( 6lbs 14 oz, 7lbs 3 oz and 8lbs 1oz). I did not have GD or any other risk factors. I do have a giant husband (6'6 over 300lbs) so I blame him

[bri276]

Yeah, I'd try to be ready by 37 weeks no matter what, even if she'd previously gone late. It's full term, and babies have minds of their own!

[DeChRi]

DD1 came 40w+4d and DD2 came at 39w+6d.

Congrats on your soon to be new addition. I can imagine you are just beside yourself waiting!! Definately update when baby comes.

[etsdtm99]

for me my first was born at 39 weeks (water broke spontaneously) - my 2nd was induced at 41 weeks (so could have been even later)

so i learned after going through my entire pregnancy expecting #2 'early' ... that 2nd+ babies can be later than 1st babies..