Did you birth similarly as your mother?

[isras1]

At my last MW appointment, she asked me if my mom went early, on-time or past her due dates. I really didn't know, so I asked her. She went 2 weeks early for all 3, and we were all 7 lbs and 12 oz (give or take a few oz). Plus, she slept through early labor and only had active labor and pushing that lasted from 3-6 hours. Sheesh. My MW was also saying that some women will begin labor in a similar pattern as to when they ovulate. Interesting.

So I've been getting a vibe that my little guy may come early. I really don't think its wishful thinking, for we really do have a lot that still needs to be finished (we are working on an addition to our house). I am thinking that I should start preparing for the possibility of going early (37 weeks), just in case. That's like, 3.5 weeks away!!!! Wowzers

Did you give birth similarly as your mother or sisters?

[rightkindofme]

Not even slightly. My mothers labors were (in order) 6 hours, 2 hours, 45 minutes, 4 hours. My sisters labors were in the 6-9 hour range. Mine was 49 hours. I hate them both.

[thebigfam]

NO! my mom and sisters were all on time or late DD was 37w 3 days. They all had c-sec (well one induction, epi, and terrible birth). I was natural.

Big momma

[lillymonster]

I don't think so

My moms' first birth were identical twins (around 4 pounds each), they were early. 2nd was near due date at 7 pounds, 3rd was emergency c-section due to cord wrapping at 8 pounds, and I was 2 weeks late at 9 1/2 pounds

One sister (one of the twins) was always pre-term, one time by over 6 weeks, she was always on bed rest for each pregnancy. One had all natural labors (4 times) because her labors were so quick (all 8 pounds or more), and one had 2 c-sections due to her babies never dropping - in fact #2 was a uterine rupture, her babies were around 7 pounds

My daughter was 8 pounds, back labor ending in a section. Not like any sister or my mother.

[Just1More]

I have been like my sister and my mom. All of mom's were shortish labors (only an hour or two for the last two of us), and easy. My sister also has shortish and easy labors, despite having been induced with large babies (really...over 10 pounds) twice.

I usually have a lot of BH contractions that make it hard to tell when labor really starts. They aren't painful, or even noticeable, probably because I have them so frequently. So, I figure my labors from the time I have to think about a contraction, otherwise I'd be "in labor" for a week or more. My first was 12 hours. She was OP, and I was flat on my back in the hospital. My second was 30 minutes. The first contraction that made me pay real attention (and I thought the start of active labor...) was actually transition. My third was about 6 hours, though for the first 4.5 of it, I really wasn't sure. I called my MW just in case, and she left right away. She made the birth by 30 minutes.

Anyway, yes, I was like my mom and my sister.

[momtoafireteam]

In all the ways that similarities can be drawn, yes. And by that I mean we tend to have babies early, recover well, have no trouble BFing etc etc. Although I have had c/s's and highly managed pregnancies and she delivered in small english countryside towns without so much as a Tylenol.

[Just1More]

momtoafireteam...OT, but I love the username!

[MaerynPearl]

Ill find out with this one I suppose. So far yes, but so far the chances of it happening by chance are higher than any genetic reason...

Each labor for her was sooner and faster... First was 4 days past due and 6 hours, I (second) was born on my due date and 3 hours, third was a few days early and 1 1/2 hours, fourth was 4 weeks early and c-section and fifth tried to come 8 weeks early, held off until she was only 4 weeks early and c-section as well.

My first was 4 days past due, induced and 21 hour labor. Second was a week early and 8 hour completely natural labor (from the first oh... is this labor? thought up til she was in my arms)

[L J]

Sort of. We have very similar pregnancies - no morning sickess, no complications, generally easy, but lots of leg cramps.

My mom had me (only child) 9 days before her EDD. I had my son 10 days past my EDD. She only knew the first day of her last missed period; I knew my actual O date.

The actual birthing process, yeah, I think we were very similar. We both had less than 6 hour first labors. Her's came on more gradually, mine was more intense from the begining.

She had a complete unmedicated, no IV, no monitoring, moved around at will, on all fours, etc hospital birth; my birth was UC. Her doctor broke her water as I crowned; I broke my own water as ds crowned.

We both had easy recoveries, but I made my own harder by falling in the shower after labor and breaking my tailbone.

Both had easy BFing experiences, mine was easier. My milk came in within 24 hours of birth with no pain or engorgement, I just noticed milk running down my baby's face. Her's came in 3 days after birth, with very painful engorgement and pain.

We recently returned from a trip to my mom's home state, where her older sister and mother still live. I was so excited to get to pick their brains and hear about their birthing experiences. My grandmother had 4 children, my aunt had 3. Well... it was disappointing - they were both completely knocked out for all of their births. We'll never know how it might have been for them. And, considering our experiences, it probably would have been relatively easy. I just hate they never got a chance to experience it, or even remember their first few moments with their child. And, selfishly, I would love to know how the other women on the maternal side of my family would have birthed.

[LindsayK]

My mom had me 1-2 weeks past my EDD, and my brother on his EDD. I had my DD 2 weeks before EDD, so no similarity there.

I'm not sure how long my mom labored with me, but I think it was on the shorter side of things. With my brother, she barely got to the hospital in time, and her midwife didn't have time to take off her jacket (my Dad ended up assisting catching my brother). For me, I had about 2.5 hours of active labor after a whole lot of back pain, which, looking back on it, was probably back labor.

I talked to my grandmother this spring about her 2 labors, and they also seemed like they were on the shorter side. So, I guess short labors are a family thing? My grandmother had my mom with no drugs (unusual at the time) and my mom birthed me at a birth center, so its neat to be able to compare birthing experiences knowing that they were basically intervention free.

And as sort of a side note, since my Grandma was born at home (and all births prior to that were homebirths), my DD inherits an unbroken line of drug free/intervention free births, which I think is way cool! She better not ever think about getting an epidural (joking!) I just hope she also inherits the family independent streak to do what she feels is best for her, and her potential babies

[love4bob]

Nope! My mom was late I believe, and had two c-sections.

[wholebreath]

All the woman on my maternal side of the family birth babies 'early'. My mom was born 4 weeks early, I was born 2 weeks early, my brother was born 3 weeks early, both of my cousins were 1 week early. My son was born at 38 weeks.
When I was given a due date of Nov. 2nd with him I just thought "whatever, it's not gonna take that long". Around my fifth month, the date Oct. 17th popped into my head and wouldn't leave. I told my DH we'd better get ready, cause this one wasn't making it to Novemeber. On Oct. 17th I started losing my mucus plug, My water broke and labor started the morning of the 19th, and he was born early in the morning of the 20th.
Now, my labor with my first baby was signficantly shorter than my mother's was with her first (me). Her's was 56 hours, mine was about 20 hours. BUT, she labored mostly in a bed, without a lot of support. I received acupuncture when my water broke with no contractions, and did LOTS of walking, upright laboring, nipple stimulation, etc. to keep things moving. If I had just laid down, I'm sure it would have taken much longer.

Definitely trust your instincts and get things ready if you think you need to!

[Stitches]

Our labors were similar (i.e long and with lots of back labor) but both hers were late, 10 days for my brother and 3 weeks! for me. My DD was born an hour before her due date.

[myk]

nopers. my sister was a normal vaginal birth, on time or slightly late. i basically fell out of her uterus a month or two early cause of cervical incompetence. my daughter was induced due to preeclampsia, got stuck, and delivered via caesarean at 37 weeks.

this peanut will be a repeat caesarean.

[Maluhia]

Nope.

[HeatherB]

I'd say no. My mom had severe complications with both pregnancies, and was induced with both. My sister was born premature to save both their lives, and my mom was on bedrest with me for 3 months, and I was induced around my due date. She had full-blown toxemia with both.

I've had no issues with pre-e/toxemia, but have looong labors. While I didn't get to push with my first (he was section for FTP because I never got the urge to push... until I was on the OR table ), my 2nd and 3rd had very quick pushing stages. All in all, I can't complain.

I know my aunt also had a very long, drawn-out labor with my oldest cousin, who was then emergency sectioned (classical incision), so she then had repeat c/s's with my younger cousins. My grandmother was in the age of twilight sleep, so that doesn't really compare at all.

[MamaChicken]

My grandma had very quick, easy labors that tended to go early. My mom went late but had quick, easy labors. Mine all went early and my only uncomfortable one was DS1, who was pre-e induction. The others were easy and fairly quick.

[mokey4]

Not really.. my mom went to 43 weeks with me, and I went into labor at 38 weeks. Our labors might have been sort of similar in length, but that's it. We both gave birth naturally.

[momasana]

You know what? I don't even know! I know that my sister was several weeks late and I was born on time, but I have no idea what her labor was like.

I am going to email her right now and ask!

[xekomaya]

The only similarity to my mom's labors is that we went into labor with ROA babies. My mom was augmented after 8h and had me sunny side up where as I labored 24h and my son turned.

Length of pregnancy wise - My mom had both us kids 39 weeks to the day. I went to 41+4. I don't look much like my mom physically, but I do resemble a paternal aunt and she went 41 -42+ weeks with all her kids so I'm expecting to go a little longer with this babe too.