If you had a healthy "pre-term" baby...

[Kelly1101]

I had my first baby at 36 weeks, completely healthy and ready, 7lb4oz.

Does this mean that I will have this baby before the due date, as well? Same father.



Anyone have an "early" baby that was ready, and then go late?

[momtoafireteam]

Sure I did. I had a son at 36 weeks that was fine, twins at 35 weeks that were fine, a daughter at 37 weeks who was fine and then...

I had a daughter at 36 weeks who was extremely, extremely sick. She was totally unable to breathe on her own, she was on a breathing tube for 10 days and in the NICU for 3 weeks total. She was 6lbs, 6ozs, and was an IVF baby so her dates were right down to the hour.

Having one healthy baby before term (heck, having four healthy babies before term) meant nothing for me regarding having another baby who was healthy.

I knows its nice to go before your due date and not have to experience those last few weeks of discomfort, but I will never again assume that just because one baby did this that another baby will do the same.

However, to answer your question, yes all my pregnancies have ended "early" naturally.

[Flower of Bliss]

DD1 was born at 38w0d, on her own. She was tiny 5lbs 14oz, but perfectly healthy. I was born at about 42 weeks and just over 6lbs, so her weight didn't surprise or worry me.

DD2 was born at 40w1d (also on her own). She was 8lbs 0.5oz, and perfectly healthy. I expected DD2 to arrive between 37 and 39 week and to be about 7lbs

[Sagesgirl]

My Linda was born at 35w 4d (or thereabouts; I honestly don't remember anymore), perfectly healthy.

My Esther was born at 41w 3d, also perfectly healthy.

While my understanding is that one premature baby increases your chances for more premature babies, it's not a sure thing. (Linda was a "near-term preemie".) It may well mean the whole "Have you had that baby yet?" starts a LOT earlier.

[philomom]

Our first was born at 36 weeks, 6 pounds 14 ounces.

Two years later 38 weeks, 6 pounds and 10 ounces.

Yes, same daddy. Both perfectly healthy and natural births with no interventions. My midwife just seemed to think that this was normal for "me" and that the babies were done and running out of room in there.

[EviesMom]

Seems like my family has a history of breeches being slightly early 37-38 weeks and smaller; and having a higher percentage of breeches overall (50% or so for grandmother, mother, and me). My vertex baby was 2 pounds more and right at due date though.

[Lousli]

My first was 36 weeks and for the most part healthy (small, slightly jaundiced, sleepy, some nursing issues, but breathing fine and could maintain body temp.) She was able to come home immediately.

My next was 33 weeks, but I strongly believe it was due to a string of complications, starting with a stomach flu. Otherwise I think I would have been pregnant longer.

[sanguine_speed]

[luv_my_babes]

I had a 34 weeker ds, he weighed 5lbs. He had minor preemie issues at birth (breathing assistance, feeding difficulties, jaundice and sleepiness). He went home after about 8 days in the NICU. He was healthy after he came home other than lingering reflux. He does have a host of stomach issues, but I don't believe that it is related to prematurity, as his father has similar issues.

My second child, my dd, was born right at 36 weeks to the day. She weighed 6lbs 1oz and came home the next day - no issues ever and has always been healthy.

ETA: I am now on my third pregnancy and I don't expect to go early with this one... I'm 36 weeks... will be 37 weeks in a few days. My OB was certain I would go early again, but so far nothing . I think its possible to go full term after multiple preterm births.

[nia82]

DS was born 36 weeks 6 days, so one day short of "term". He weighed 5 pounds 10 ounces and was fine. i just had to keep him close to me to keep up his temps and he was a little jaundiced and had latching issues, but as soon as the IBCLC handed me the nipple shield all was good. He gained 1lb per week til he hit 22 pounds... So he did great!

I know I am prone to preterm labor due to an "incompetent cervix". I was on terbutaline as needed since 30 weeks. Obgyn refused to give me any more after 35 weeks for some reason I don't know, my sister was on it until 39 weeks and went on to have her son at 40w2d.

[Kelly1101]

Originally Posted by momtoafireteam

Sure I did. I had a son at 36 weeks that was fine, twins at 35 weeks that were fine, a daughter at 37 weeks who was fine and then...

I had a daughter at 36 weeks who was extremely, extremely sick. She was totally unable to breathe on her own, she was on a breathing tube for 10 days and in the NICU for 3 weeks total. She was 6lbs, 6ozs, and was an IVF baby so her dates were right down to the hour.

Having one healthy baby before term (heck, having four healthy babies before term) meant nothing for me regarding having another baby who was healthy.

I knows its nice to go before your due date and not have to experience those last few weeks of discomfort, but I will never again assume that just because one baby did this that another baby will do the same.

However, to answer your question, yes all my pregnancies have ended "early" naturally.

Sorry your daughter had a rough time,,,

And yeah I wouldn't induce early just because I've had one healthy...

Just trying to figure out whether or not it would be foolish to pack my labor bag at 35 weeks this time (last time I was so unprepared to go that early)... just wondering if you grow a baby fast, does it tend to happen again?

[EviesMom]

Originally Posted by Kelly1101

Just trying to figure out whether or not it would be foolish to pack my labor bag at 35 weeks this time (last time I was so unprepared to go that early)... just wondering if you grow a baby fast, does it tend to happen again?

Since my first was at 37 weeks, I had all the supplies ready to go at 36 weeks with the second. They then sat there for 4 more weeks, but so no harm done!

[SilverFish]

my daughter was born on Feb 21, at 35+3 and 5lbs10oz. She was basically healthy, and although she did spend 10 days in the NICU, a hospital with more updated policies would probably have let her go home earlier. She had jaundice, and had a feeding tube for a couple days. I was not expecting in the slightest to go early, since my mom went from 10 to 30 (yes, a whole month) days overdue with all 4 of us, and my sister went 14 days with her first a couple months before me.
i will definitely be preparing to go early the next time i get pregnant. i'll be hoping not to, but i refuse to be as unprepared as i was this time around!

[Bokonon]

My 34-weeker was born 4lbs. 8oz. and was pretty healthy at first, but spent 10 days in the NICU for magnesium sulfate toxicity (I had been on it for a week), jaundice, and slow weight gain. But once she came home, she gained like gangbusters and has been very healthy.

[dachshundqueen]

I had one at 36 weeks.

I had my second at 41 weeks 3 days.

I am expecting my third and it's a roll of the dice as to actual birth date.

If you'll feel relieved to have packed, then do so by all means!

Liz