Do 2nd babies come earlier?

Bournebados · October 2014

Hi all, I'm 35 + 4 with my 2nd baby (1st one is 22 months.) I want to know if 2nd babies tend to arrive earlier? I was 41 + 1 with my first and am wondering if I will be late again with my second! Would love to hear people's experiences!

minirella · October 2014

Labor is usually quicker but I don't know if there is any relationship between subsequent pregnancies and the amount of time a fetus is carried. I've had friends that have gone both ways.

Mine will definitely come earlier than my first but they're a set of twins and my OB doesn't want me to go further than 38w due to size.

ashiscute · October 2014

My first came at 40w. My second came at 40w2d. I don't think there is any correlation.

WashingtonQueen · October 2014

When you gave birth last time has nothing to do with this time.
My first was born at 39w 6d. My second was born 40w 3d.

nolanova85 · October 2014

No correlation. I'm a FTM, so no personal experience, but my friends and family have all varied. My older brother was 3 days earlier than his due date, I was 2 weeks late.

A friend just had her third and it was her longest yet at 41+3.

Bournebados · October 2014

Thanks for your replies, I guess they just come when they're ready!

Unknown · October 2014

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taahira · October 2014

They come when they are ready, no way of predicting, only difference for me was that my labor was shorter.

marajay6 · October 2014

Seems random. Saw this the other day when I was lurking the October board:

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12468123/stms-with-outside-babies#latest

Bournebados · October 2014

Thanks! Interesting results in this poll!

Caraluvs · October 2014

My second was later, but labor was much faster (20 hours vs. 4!)

Amandabw82 · October 2014

My first was born at 37 weeks with a 9 hour labor. My second was born at 38 weeks with a 3 hour labor.

laurapage81 · October 2014

My first was born 3 days early, my 2nd was 3 weeks early. And I'm at 38 weeks, 4 days with #3.

PrimRoseMama · October 2014

Bournebados said:
I want to know if 2nd babies tend to arrive earlier? no.

Would love to hear people's experiences!
my daughter arrived at 39w1d after four hours of labour & three pushes.

My son arrived at 41w2d after 14 hours of labor & 8 pushes.

The lesson? Every pregnancy & delivery is different with a capital D.

thefuturemrsj15 · October 2014

No. My second baby was a week later than due date & I had to be induced. It took him 5 hours of labor compared to 2 1/2 with his older brother. So it'll be interesting to see what baby son #3 does when we deliver Jan 1st.

My sister in law is getting ready to have her 6th & she told me that every single pregnancy & delivery has been unique.