how likely is it to give birth earlier than due date?

Question

I am 37 weeks pregnant and my Dr. told me at my last check up that because I am petite it is more likely that I will go early because the baby will not get too big before delivery.

My mother went early with both my sister and myself.

Does any of that matter? Is it common or uncommon to go early with your first child?

Answer 1

Usually with your first child, you go after your due date... but it seems that you have a family history of going early. Only time will tell and nature will take it's course. With all 3 of my children I went within 2 days of my due date. I know it's hard to wait, but the longer your wee one stays in, the more pressure it puts on your cervix and work is done the right way.... pain free! Unfortunately there's no way to know what your body will do until it's time. I know that the last few weeks are rough, but enjoy those rumblings in your tummy. You'll miss them when they're gone!

Good luck!

Answer 2

I am also very little and I went in 2 days before my due date. This was my first baby. The Dr. told me that if I didn't go in before or on my due date, they were going to induce me and not allow me to go past 40 weeks. Luckily a few hours after that Dr. appt. my water broke. I drank a lot of Red Raspberry Leaf Tea. Some people say it helps bring labor on and some say it doesn't. I went 2 days early so I don't know.

Answer 3

i am 5ft 1" and i have went into labour with 4 out of my 5 babes. My 1st was 18 weeks early, 2nd 10 weeks early 3rd 7 weeks early 4th 2 days late and 5th 6 weeks early. So it can go either way. Good luck.

Answer 4

it doesn t matter that your mom and sister went early and that youre petite,i was born when my mom was seven months pregnant with me and im 4 feet 11 inches tall and was always skinny and my baby was born two days after my due date three months ago,so it doesnt really matter.but you ould go early with your first child,the baby will come out when she is ready.i know you cant wait it to be over,but believe me when you hold that baby for the first time you will forget about everything you went through.

Answer 5

I don't think being petite matters. I am 5'2" and my husband is 6'6''. I went 10 days past my due date.
I think the error is in the due date calculation, not because you're getting "too big". I'm not saying you won't go early, just that I don't think it has anything to do with your size.

Answer 6

It it very likely you will go early, I went on Jan.12 when I was due on Feb. 4. My daughter-in-law is very petite and we don,t think she is going to make it to her due date, which is May 26. She looks like she,s ready now. So it is common. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

I am petite myself as well....My first daughter was born two days before due date, my second was born ON her due date, and my third was born 11 days before her due date......so not really sure that being petite really has much to do with it.

Answer 8

whether i do no longer think genetics have something to do with it, definitely everyone seems to be distinctive. that's all how your physique responds to the toddler, and whilst the toddler makes a decision to return out. yet, appropriate care, and not smoking or eating can dramatically enhance your likelyhood of becoming it on your due date.

Answer 9

it is very common to deliver early i was 2 weeks early with my child

Answer 10

it is pretty common if you are petite, the same thing happened to me. i delivered at 38 weeks and everything was fine.