'Cook' Time and Genetics

[WifeofAnt]

I'm wondering how the things that trigger labor and genetics work. I come from a family of 'late' babies, 41 weeks+ every single time. I was born at 42 weeks after induction. My DH comes from a family of early babies. He was born at 38 weeks and many of our nieces and nephews have also showed up early (about half were mildly premature). My sister-in-law is on her 7th pregnancy and only once has she even been close to her due date (24w, 31w, 37w, 12w, 39w, & 35w twins). Everyone is actually pretty shocked right now because she just passed the 37 week mark.

Since this is our first baby we really have no clue when things are going to happen. If labor is up to my genes I'll be pregnant for quite a while longer but if labor is going to be initiated by the baby and he takes after Daddy his birth could be right around the corner!

[sunnygir1]

I don't think you can count on it either way.

My mama (4 kids) and sister (2 kids) had their babies on or near their due dates. My half sister (same dad) had her two beyond her due dates. Both of mine -- ruptured membranes at 35 weeks.

[babyjelly]

I donnt think you can count on genetics...or even your own history! My grandma had babies anywhere between 34w and 44w, my mother and I started at 37w with our firsts and gestated each baby longer than the last, while my aunt and one sister have all been induced for post-dates, and my other sister with kids had hers early.
I'm hoping to follow my own pattern and finally make it to my due date
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[boysmom2]

I think there's so much more influencing it, it's hard to say. My mom never made it anywhere near her due dates with any of us (3), so I thought for sure I'd be early too. But my 3 have been 40+3, 40+3, and 40+2. My mom, for example, always started labor with ROM and mine never ruptured until transition or pushing. Maybe my mom's labors were early because she was low on zinc (I've read that adequate levels of zinc and C contribute to tougher sacs). Maybe she would have been later if her diet was better? Her mother had early babies too, but that was back in the 50s when women were put on restricted diets. My grandmother only gained 11lbs when pregnant with my mom (who weighed 4lbs 6oz, born at 34wks) and she did not start out pregnancy overweight. I would think that her diet likely contributed to her preterm labor more than genetics. Her mother (my great-grandmother) had 5 full-term 9-10lb babies.

So, a long rambling way of saying, "who knows?!" It is hard to wait and wonder, though.

I wonder if a family hx of being late is maybe more helpful, though. If you pass 40 wks, I think it might be reassuring to know that it might be normal. IDK.

[MegBoz]

I thought I'd go before or near 40W - not just because my Gmom, who had 2, Mom had 3 and sister had 1 at the time - & all were a bit early or near due date - but ALSO because I exercised vigorously & women who exercise birth a bit earlier than those who don't ("exercise" in Dr. Clapp's research counting as moderate to high intensity, 20min or more 3X per week or more, so not just walking.)

But I forgot my Mom was smoking in the '70s & that contributes to prematurity, I think.

I've also heard that diet influences how strong your amniotic sac is - I think Bradley method teaches that getting enough protein helps strengthen it.

So who knows? Although I DO think your own history may be somewhat relevant. My Mom was consistent with her 3 & my sister was consistent with her 2 (36W, then 35W).

My DS arrived at 41W4D. 2nd & subsequent babies do tend to arrive faster than first ones, but I'm not expecting this one to arrive MUCH faster. I"m thinking 41ish Weeks. I'll be shocked if she appears at 38W!! & I'd be legitimately WORRIED if she arrived at 37W or even 38W 0D!! DS was so strong when he was born, had lots & lots of strength to nurse (built up my supply just great, although my nipples cracked, he gained a lot of weight!) I'd worry about sufficient strength to breastfeed with a baby born an entire 4 weeks earlier than him!!

[MyFullHouse]

I have no idea when any of us grown babies were born (gestation-wise, lol), but I've gone naturally at 40w1d and I've been induced at 42 weeks. Knowing my own genetics haven't changed recently , I don't think they play much of a part in my situation.

Otoh, I could see how inherited health/medical aspects might play a part in early deliveries. But that's about it.

[butterflies]

Well, the fact that different racial groups have different average gestation lengths suggests that genetics could be important. IIRC the average gestation length for first time Caucasian moms is 41 w, compared with 40w for Hispanic and African-American moms. Not sure if you could see the effect in your family with so many other confounding factors-- but its possible.

[Evergreen]

I think there is a genetic link but other factors can also play into it including things that were not influenced by anything. Sometimes babies just come early and it is not anyone's 'fault".

My mother had all of hers between 41 and 43 weeks. I wasn't surprised when mine both came around 42 weeks.

[lyterae]

My mom carried hers between 36 -39 weeks. My first was born at 38 weeks, I'm not sure what to expect this time around.

[Artichokie]

I have always assumed genetics would pre-dispose me to have long-cooking babies: My paternal grandmother's kids were post dates and my mom's babies were all born past 42 weeks (I was born at 46 weeks). My sister's kids were post date babies as well. I was induced at 42+4 with DD#1 for absolutely no good reason and this time my goal is to cook until I go into labor on my own. I do feel behind the 8-ball, however, since I've got such a strong post date-baby history in my family.

[AutumnAir]

Well, IME, genetics do play a role, and they follow *my* genetics, not DH's. He and his brother were both born before their EDD, whereas my brother and I were both born at 42 weeks (induced) and my mom's mom had one 46 week baby.

DD1 came at 43+1 weeks and DD2 at 43+6 weeks. It helps me to know that it's genetically normal for me to 'go late' but doesn't help much dealing with the anxiety of others unfortunately!

[PrincessWinnie]

Hmmmm.... this will be interesting to see for me. I was born 10 days late and DH was 2 weeks late. When I was pregnant with DS1 I assumed I'd go beyond my due date and was completely prepared to be late but my water broke at 37.5 weeks. I'm almost 28 weeks with DS2 and I'm curious to see how this goes....

[bluesky2010]

Originally Posted by PrincessWinnie

Hmmmm.... this will be interesting to see for me. I was born 10 days late and DH was 2 weeks late. When I was pregnant with DS1 I assumed I'd go beyond my due date and was completely prepared to be late but my water broke at 37.5 weeks. I'm almost 28 weeks with DS2 and I'm curious to see how this goes....

Anyway, you're sure to be a great mother.

[WifeofAnt]

Well now at 35w2d I don't feel like I'm going to have him any time soon. Its strange to think that I'll be term in less than two weeks and I don't feel as miserably uncomfortable as I think I should be (not that I'm wishing for it) in the time leading up to his birth. My rational mind reminds me things could change quickly but my instincts haven't given me any clear signals that the time is drawing near.

[sunnygir1]

Originally Posted by butterflies

Well, the fact that different racial groups have different average gestation lengths suggests that genetics could be important. IIRC the average gestation length for first time Caucasian moms is 41 w, compared with 40w for Hispanic and African-American moms. Not sure if you could see the effect in your family with so many other confounding factors-- but its possible.

I don't know what IIRC means, but where did this information come from? Is it Hispanics in the US and African-Americans? If that's the case (rather than global populations) I'd be inclined to wonder if that isn't influenced more by socioeconomic conditions than genetics?