Being Pregnant
Will I Go into Labor Early?
That’s been the question on my mind as I enter my 32nd week of pregnancy. Of course, there is no real way to answer the question until I actually go into labor, but it’s still the number one thing that is on my mind lately.
My daughter was born at 36 weeks and 6 days. Although, three weeks early, she was a healthy 6 lbs 9 oz. I honestly don’t think that my body could take her getting any bigger. I have a pretty tiny figure and with me being on my feet all day as a middle school teacher at the time, it started to take a toll.
I began to dilate around 35 weeks and at my 36 week appointment I was already 2cm. The doctor didn’t put me on bed rest as I was almost at full term and he would have sworn that I was going to make it to 40 weeks or possibly longer. You can imagine his surprise when I called him at 3:30am telling him that my mucus plug had come out and I was at the hospital almost 5cm dilated.
At my doctor’s appointment last week the first question I asked my doctor was what were the chances that I go into labor early again. As much as I enjoy feeling this little one move in my belly, I honestly don’t know if I can physically or mentally make it to 40 weeks or possibly longer.
I was just a tad bit excited when she told me that my chances were pretty good since my daughter came early last time. She said she usually doesn’t start doing vaginal exams until the 37th week, but since I didn’t make it there last time, she feels its best for us to start around 35 weeks to be on the safe side. Her goal is for me to make it to 37 weeks, as she feels that will be full term and the safest for both me and the baby. She made sure to tell me not to get too excited because she has seen some women that have given birth early the first time and have gone beyond 40 weeks for the second.
I go in next week for a high tech ultrasound to measure the height and weight of the baby. I am so excited to see her again, because although my doctor does ultrasounds at each of our appointments, I haven’t had a high tech ultrasound since 20 weeks. I can’t wait to see how much different she looks from last time and now, and am especially anxious to see what her weight and height are now and compare that to my first daughter’s.
I will never know if this baby is going to come early, until I actually go into labor. As much as I question and stress about it now, the most important thing for me to care about is that she is born healthy.
Second time moms that went into labor early with the first, was your second the same?
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4 Comments
Me commented on Jan 13 12 at 8:28 pmI didn’t go early with my first–he was born at exactly 41 weeks. My second was 41 weeks and 2 days. My third was 41 weeks and 1 day.
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My husband’s aunt delivered all three of her children exactly 16 days after their respective due dates.
mossbeach commented on Jan 14 12 at 8:05 pmMy first was 17 days early and my second was 2 days after his due date. My third came on his due date.
My first labor was 24 hours-ish, with about 8 hours of active labor. My second labor was 90 minutes start to finish.
So each birth is definitely unique! Just like the children.
Melanie commented on Jan 14 12 at 11:38 pmMy first was born at 36w5d. I’d had no sign at all of labour, and in fact a few hours before going into labour I’d been on a fetal monitor for a research study. I laboured for 20 hours, pushed for over three.
For my second, I needed a cesarian. Again, I went into early labour; he was born 12 days before my scheduled date, at 37w5d. I laboured for 12 hours before finally getting the c/s.
Amber commented on Jan 15 12 at 8:51 amWith my first I was 7 weeks early. With my second I had weekly progesterone shots from 18 weeks until labor….which happened 4 weeks early.
Those extra 3 weeks allowed me to bring my baby home after 48 hours with no NICU time, whereas baby number 1 spend 12 days in the NICU. I definitely recommend the progesterone injections.
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