Did your second pg last longer than your first? Did you go overdue?

[NordicMamma]

A question for those with more than one child:

Was your pregnancy longer or shorter with the second baby?

I am feeling a little miffed at my mother right now. She is supposed to come to Sweden two weeks before our baby is due (around July 25 according to u/s, July 24 by my calculations) to help out, and in particular to take care of ds while we are in hospital having the baby. She is currently in North America visiting my sisters and just sent me a card announcing that she has booked her flight, coming here on July 11 (which is what we agreed on). But then she tells me that she has also booked a flight BACK for the 1st of August! Without talking to us about it, and when we had orignally said that she should leave it open (it is a low-cost airline, and it doesn't cost anything extra to book seperate legs).

August 1 is only 6 days past my official due date! I might well get that far with this pregnancy and I am damned well not inducing just for her convenience.

So - give me the stats... Am I likely to go earlier with this baby? Later?

FTR, ds was born on his due date. Both times I knew exactly when I ovulated, so the due date is likely to be 'accurate' in germs of gestation.

Please give me your experiences! I am really curious to see whether most 2nd babies arrive earlier than first, or whether this is just a myth.

[Beverly]

I don't know about "official" stats, but my second pregnancy was shorter than my first. My oldest came six days before her due date and my second was eleven days "early." I'm sure hoping that pattern holds and this one makes an early appearance, too!

Even so, however, it does seem like your mom should plan to stay a bit longer than a few days past your due date. August 1 is cutting it a bit short, IMO.

[IAmAMamaToLogan]

Logan was 6 days 'overdue' and Adam was born right on his due date. I have asked my Mom and she said my oldest sister was 2 weeks early, I was a week later, and my youngest sister was born right on time. :-\ Not much help here.

[NordicMamma]

I checked on the airline's website, and she CAN change her ticket, for a fee of $25 AND whatever extra the new flight costs (it varies from day to day, depending on demand, but usually gets higher the closer you get to departure time). So hopefully it won't cost us too much if she needs to change it (we always said we would pay for her ticket).

I'm just peeved that she didn't even consult us first. She could at least have emailed if she didn't want to pick up the phone. Why announce this as a fait-accomplis via a postcard? She must have made the booking last week.

[MilkOnDemand]

Aug 1 does seem like she is cutting it a bit close. FWIW - Dustin was born at about 39 weeks, and Dorothy was closer to 38 weeks. Both times I was sure of the date of conception. Oddly enough, this time I have no idea when I got pg!