??s about how much genetics plays in labour

helenejr

So my Mum recently told me that she went into Labour early with all 3 of her kids.... with all of us being born around 36-37 weeks.

My question is this: Is there any research or information on whether your Mum's pregnancy and Labour is anything to gauge your own experience by?

pregarella

I haven't done my own research on this yet, but when my mom told the OB nurse that she had labored and delivered both her kids in under 3 hours without needing any meds, the nurse turned to me and said "Oh, you're lucky then, that will most probably happen with you."

EMLYNNLERETTE

I haven't researched it either, but I was reassured by my MW that eating healthily and getting good exercise (staying limber) will help with labor.  My mom labored forever so I hope this is true!

11kacey

I do not put much stock in my mom's "early" deliveries b/c they did not have dating ultrasounds back then and she was NOT very good about charting or anything. She got pregnant "on the pill" with my older brother and me. I really doubt she has any true idea of when she ovulated. According to her, my oldest brother was born 2 weeks early, middle brother 3 weeks early and I was 10 days early.

However, if her labor had a distinctive pattern I might have been able to go with that.. but she didn't. First was 12 hours.. sunny side up and all back labor. 2nd was probably 8 hours and with me? 45 minutes from the time she got to the hospital to the time I was born.. no time for the epidural.

sorry about that mom!  

SarahP15

Oh dear God I hope not.  I know dating wasn't completely accurate a few years back, but 3/4 of us came 1.5+ weeks late.  I am already uncomfortable and ready to be done with this pregnancy. 

cvl105

I hope so. My Mom pushed 5 times with each of us. I hope that's all I have to do!

sunset+skies

SarahP15:

Oh dear God I hope not.  I know dating wasn't completely accurate a few years back, but 3/4 of us came 1.5+ weeks late.  I am already uncomfortable and ready to be done with this pregnancy. 

 Same here!

#1 was almost 3 weeks

#2 was 2 weeks

#3 was 10 days 

#4 was 1 day.

semperfigal

Oh if it is genetic I am in for it! My mom was late with all 4 of us, and had VERY long labors. Her first (me) was a c-section after she pushed for hours with no result. 2nd was a successful v-bac, but still a very long labor. 3rd was born in a birth center, and the 4th was at home. Besdies the c-section she never had any drugs or anything, and had EXTREMELY long labors! I hope I have her strength because I'm really hoping to go completely natural...

Birdies08

I don't know that there's an actual scientific link, but this pregnancy has been the same as both my mom's (well, except no GD, I'm hoping) and all three of my grandma's, at least from how they tell it. My mom actually keeps telling me what to expect next- and she's right!

I would be happy if our labors were similar. Although I came late (can't remember about my sister), my mom went natural with both of us and had relatively easy labors. A little long, but uncomplicated. That sounds good to me! 

SarahP15

Sunset and Semperfi - looks like we have to try to make ours happen a little earlier.  I told DH starting at 38w we will start walking a few miles per day, eating a lot of spicy foods and getting it on like it's our honeymoon! 

LaRue86

I have a friend who her and all of her siblings were born at least 6 weeks early. Her son was born 1 week late. I really do not think that genetics have much to do with early/late deliveries or weight gain. So far I have been completely opposite of my mom. She had gained almost 30lbs by this point in her pregnancy and I am at 7. She was also on a restricted diet of fruits, veggies, and lean meats and only 1800. calories a day. I do not eat nearly that healthy. 

 My doctor did say that genetics do play a roll in the size of the baby, but I am not putting to much into that. She said the birth size of the baby depends more on mom than dad. Although I would prefer that because my DH was a huge baby, I am not getting my hopes up.

As far as labor goes, I will not have the opportunity to repeat. My mom was nearly two weeks late with both of us and spent almost 4 days in active labor with me. My doctor wont let you do either... 

mesr

my experience with dd was very little like my mom's experience with me.  i was born late.  dd was on her due date.  my mom had a very painful labor with me and got an epidural.  i labored and gave birth at home without medication.  my mom pushed for several hours before i had to be removed via forceps.  i easily pushed dd out in 24 minutes.

semperfigal

SarahP15:

Sunset and Semperfi - looks like we have to try to make ours happen a little earlier.  I told DH starting at 38w we will start walking a few miles per day, eating a lot of spicy foods and getting it on like it's our honeymoon! 

 

I think I'll tell my DH the same!!