Do most first time mothers have their babies on time, early, late?

Question

I'm an aunt-to-be trying to get a vague grasp of when my new little nephew is going to come screaming into the world. I'm sure there aren't any specific rules as to when first time babies arrive, however, it seems as though you can generally make some assumptions based upon statistics (such as first-time mothers tend to have longer labor times). I'm hoping someone who is involved with a hospital maternity ward might be able to offer any thoughts? Or maybe a statistics person? Anyone?

Answer 1

First moms tend to go late.

And never EVER say anything like "Still pregnant?" or "Is he going to college in there". It's not funny, it's hurtful.

Luckily I lied to everyone about my due date by adding 10 days. I had him one day "early" according to the due date I told everyone.

Here is *some* info on due dates. You will find the tendancy is for first babies to be late:
http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/dueDates.html

However, ultimately the baby will come when the baby is ready, and the sooner we go back to using due months instead of dates and not stressing over the whole thing the healthier it will be for mom and baby.

Answer 2

I would say late. I work at a place that has had many pregnant women whlie I've been working there and most seem to be late. The number of women is not in the hundreds so I can't make any generalizations on the general population.

I'd also add that the pregnancy, labor and delivery mechanisms are untested in the first time mom, so I'd guess more go to 41 or 42 weeks.

Also, the due date is just an estimate anyway. Normal pregnancies go anywhere from 38-42 weeks. Doctors just split the difference and say 40 weeks is average.

Answer 3

it honestly relies upon on at the same time as the newborn is waiting, and if she is having a healthy widely used being pregnant. also do not ignore that "40 weeks gestation" is likewise merely an approximate volume, or perhaps the due date is a particular day, even that should be extra like a "due week" so infant might want to honestly be 40 weeks any time that week. a classic "time period" is meant to be everywhere from 38 to 40 2 weeks i imagine. First pregnancies will in certain circumstances bypass longer than second and 0.33, (and exertions in many cases receives shorter too, thank god).

Answer 4

well I was 37 with my first they induced labor on 3 different occasions only to do a c- section, That baby wasn't coming out. I wouldn't dialate past a 1 if that was a warning of how stubborn my daughter was gonna be I should have read the signs. everyone is different as so is every pregnancy. some go early some late.

Answer 5

My baby was 2 1/2 weeks early. I think there's too much that factors into it to try to come up with a generalization.

Answer 6

I had always heard and read that first time moms usually deliver late but the opposite has been the case in a couple of my friends and myself. I had 9 friends expecting babies, and 5 of them were roughly on time, one was late, and 3 of us were early. My baby girl was breech and was delivered 17 days early because she was on her way out on her own! My cousin delivered her daughter 3.5 weeks early but her baby had some complications that would have gotten worse had she gone to term. I guess it just depends on the mother and baby!

Answer 7

Unless she is schedule for a c-section and they forceably remove him from the womb, only your soon-to-be baby nephew knows his arrival time! They have their own ideas.

They say first babies tend to be late, however many babies are the exception to this rule. Best to be on-call and nearby for the four weeks before and two weeks after the due date!

Answer 8

Usually late. Between 7 to 14 days. This is on the average,
a few even come early.

Answer 9

Early is prior to 38 weeks. On time is anywhere from 38-42 weeks. Due dates are estimates only. A woman is not late if her "due date" was said to be July 11th for example but she gives birth on July 17th. Most first timers give birth after the given due date but like I said, it does mean she is late.

Answer 10

Most of the time it will be a little late, depends on family history though. Look at the times that her mom and dads family history in giving birth. That should give you the best Idea.