Did anyone else's second pregnancy last significantly longer than their first?

[Krisrich]

I delivered my first baby at 38 weeks and 1 day. I am now 39 weeks and 2days into my second pregnancy. My first is only 13 months old so I was worried this whole pregnancy about having a preemie. I can't believe I'm now 8 days further along than I was with my first. Poor DH is on pins and needles because for the past 3 weeks I've been convinced every pain is the start of labor! Anyone else experience this?

[sariana]

I don't think I'm the example you were looking for, but my first baby (DS) was born at 32 weeks. My second pregnancy lasted four weeks longer; DD was born at 36 weeks. They are 3 1/2 years apart.

[Cam&Clay]

DS1 was born at 35 weeks. DS2 was born at 38 weeks. Those 3 weeks felt like a lifetime!

[Pennylane]

Nope, I actually went longer with my first pregnancy, 41 weeks 3 days, and my second was 39 weeks.

Ann

[carolinamama]

I hate to say this to you at this point, but DS1 was born at 38 weeks. DS2 was evicted at 41 weeks. Longest 3 weeks of my life!

[WatchingThemGrow]

Pre-congratulations on the upcoming birth of your little one! Sounds like it could be any day! FWIW, all THREE of ours were born the day before their due dates. You should have a fun year with two little ones close in age. Do you have a good double stroller and a comfy carrier?

[citymama]

I can't imagine waiting any longer than I did the first time - DD was born at 42 weeks! I was READY! I hope this one stays in till she is full-term; I've heard second babies are usually born earlier than the first.

Enjoy this time with your sweetie and older child, go to the movies, sleep in, get a massage, do something to spoil yourself and enjoy your last days of quiet before the storm! And the very special time of having your baby a part of you before s/he comes out to meet the world. :) All the best!

[Momof3Labs]

First: 38w exactly
Second: 39w exactly
Third (twins): 37w5d (scheduled c-section - have to wonder if, given the chance, they would have outdone their brothers!)

[DebbieJ]

DS1 40w2d 100% natural birth
DS2 went in for induction (pitocin--yuck!) 42w3d, ended up with an emergency c-section 42w4d

[brittone2]

DS was born 6 days before my EDD, so 39w1d and I had contracted solidly for about 2-3 weeks prior and walked around 2-3 cm dilated and 80% effaced (I allowed cervical checks back then...) for 2 weeks prior to his birth.

DD was born 2 days after her EDD, so 40w2d (but barely, as she was born just after midnight). We went to a local birth art exhibit on my EDD and I think the birth energy got things moving ;) I consented to a cervical check at a visit the day before my EDD and I was barely dilated, but my labor with her was fast (3 hours).

We'll see about #3.


Best of luck!

[AnnieW625]

DD was 37 weeks and 5 days, and with this one I don't care how long I have to wait as long as I don't have to have pitocin. I went to the hospital at 5/1/2 cm dialated w/minor contractions. Four days prior I was 4/1/2 cm dialated. Once checked into the hospital by my OB who was going off call my labor ended up stalling so I ended up agreeing to have my water broken after I had been there for five hours, three hours later labor was still stalled and I had to have pitocin. I was at 10/1/2 cm and pushing a little less than four hours later, and DD was born an hour after that! Nursing staff changes and new nurse says "oh they should've sent you home you could've lasted another two weeks at 5/1/2 cm!!!"

[Piglet]

DS1 was right on time and DS2 was induced at 42 weeks!

[daniele_ut]

DS was born at 36 weeks. DD was born at 39 weeks. It was a looong 3 weeks once I passed the point at which DS had been born. Plus I was dilated 5cm for those 3 weeks.

[MamaMolly]

Thank you OP, so much for starting this thread. I had DD at 36 weeks an I'm so scared that this one will come even earlier. We are overseas and there aren't sufficient NICU-PICU services (honestly none to speak of) here for me to be at all comfortable delivering here. Similar to last time, only I went back to the US at 32 weeks because it was the latest the airline would let me fly. This time I'm flying home at 34 weeks to have the baby and am really comforted by these stories of 2nd babies cooking a little longer!

[MommyAllison]

I went into labor 3 days later with DS than DD. (DS was born at 41w exactly after a 3 hour labor) I'm a little nervous that I'll get more overdue with each kiddo, but short labors are really nice. :)

[C99]

yes. baby #1 born at 35 weeks even. baby #2 born at 38 weeks, 4 days. baby #3 born at 39 weeks, 5 days (1/2 hour short of 6 days).

[elliput]

DD was born exactly 37 wks (induced early due to pre-e). DS came on his own at 40w4d.

[jk3]

DS1 was born at 35 weeks. DS2 was born at 38 weeks. Those 3 weeks felt like a lifetime!

Same situation for my first 2. #3 arrived at 37 weeks.

[aa2mama]

#2 was born exactly a week later in my pregnancy than #1.

DS was born at 37wks 6days.
DD was born at 38wks 6days.

[alexsmommy]

Yes, but DS1 was a 32 week preemie. Spent entire pregnancy worrying DS2 would be a preemie, only to fail my NST at 40wks 1 day and be induced - born at 40wks 2 days. Luckily my body was ready, they only had to break my water to get me going. They won't let me hit 40 weeks this time for a variety of reasons and I am starting to contemplate all sorts of natural induction techniques since I really, really do not want pitocin.

[m4nash]

DS1 - exactly 36 weeks

DS2 - exactly 37 weeks


With DS1 I had a placenta abruption that sent me into a really fast labor. DS1 had to be vacuumed out when his heart rate started crashing.

With DS2 my water broke and I failed to go into labor on my own after 12 hrs, so they gave me pitocin and 10 hours after that I had him. My second labor was way easier and less stressful. I didn't even have an epidural with DS2.

[maestramommy]

Well, my first two were born a week early, my last was born 1 day late. Like you, I was circling the house wondering "when is this baby gonna come already??" But it turned out to be the perfect time to come.

[srhs]

DS1: 39w, 2d
DS2: 40w, 2d

I had two close friends due at the same time, also with 2nds. We all 3 went late even though all 3's DC1's had come early. :shrug:
It actually ended up working better in all 3 cases because childcare for DC1 went better with grandparents coming into town before labor started.

[hobie]

DS#1 & DS#2 - 36 weeks, emergency c-section due to pre-E (twins)

DS#3 - 42 weeks, c-section, because he was never going to be born! He had plenty of space to grow, and no need to leave, because his twin brothers had already completely stretched out my belly!

[HIU8]

Both DS and DD were born at 38 weeks 1 day. If I have a third, I'm banking on 38 weeks 1 day. Seems to be a theme. I was not induced with DS or DD--I went into labor naturally with both.

[Krisrich]

Thanks everyone! I feel both better (that this is more common than I thought) and worse (I could go on another two weeks?!?!) I appreciate all the replies.
WatchingThemGrow- all set on the double stroller and I went nuts with carriers. I had a sling and and ERGO for DD1. Added the K'tan (my back hurt with the sling) and a Beco this time around! I figured there'd be times when DH would use the ERGO with DD1 and I could use the Beco for DD2. MamaMolly- so glad I could help ease your mind!!!