curious about gestation periods for subsequent pregnancies?

Question

Has anyone experienced that their gestation period for their pregnancies are about the same? Are they different? Did anyone carry longer the second time than the first? How much longer?

Thank you all so much. My first was 38 weeks. I am at 34 right now, and just hoping this one will come around 38 too, my OB tells me they often follow the same pattern, but I wanted to check with some mothers:) I already lost my mucous plug, so I hope that is indicative of about 4 more weeks.......just anxious:)!

Answer 1

The average 'gestation period' is 40 weeks ... but there is a 2 week 'variation' on either side of that. I was 42 weeks with my first and my fourth, 38 weeks with my third, 40 weeks with my second, and 41 weeks with my fifth and last child. They were all born 'naturally' and none of my labors was 'induced' ... but the second was 'helped to go faster' with a drug called 'oxytocin' which can increase the 'cramping' of labor to help the baby come out, becasue the labor was 'going too slowly'.

Answer 2

Statistically, gestation periods are the same (or very nearly so) with subsequent pregnancies but labor gets shorter. Each pregnancy is different, my first was born at 34 weeks, my second at 37 and we are hoping that this third one (now at 33 weeks and on bed rest) will make it to 36. My pregnancies tend to run short, some women tend to run long. They are usually the same for each pregnancy as many of the factors are the same.

Answer 3

According to the Harvard study done in the 1990s, first time moms generally go a week past their due date. Later pregnancies can go at any time both earlier and later. However, women who have had preterm births, are more likely to have another preterm birth (for instance, if you had an incompetant cervix; that doesn't go away).

Answer 4

It varies for all. While you may deliver 2 weeks early with your first, you could go over 40 weeks on your second, and so on. You may also deliver earlier than you did on your first pregnancy. It all depends on your body and the baby.

Answer 5

I had my first at 36 weeks, my second at 35 weeks and im now 35 weeks with number 3, and im thinking this one will go the longest LOL. he doesnt seem to interested in getting outta there!

Answer 6

With my first I was 40w 5d and with my second I was 38w 2d. I`m waiting to find out how long I`ll carry my third...I`ll be 29 weeks tomorrow so I still have a little ways to go!!

Answer 7

my first was born at 38 weeks and im still waiting to see how long ill carry my second..2 months to go =)

Answer 8

Mine were both scheduled c-sections so I don't have a personal frame of reference other than my experience has been that every pregnancy is different. There may be some similarities but mutiple opportunities for differences.

Answer 9

each pregnancy should be the same gestation period

Answer 10

I had to be induced with both of mine. Way over 40 weeks!!!