Labor between 36 and 40 weeks?!

[KatieJeanBrewer]

Everyone has been telling me that 1st babies never come early. I am pregnant with my first and I am 37w3d and absolutely anxious and ready to go into labor. How common is it to go into labor early (before 40w)??  From a personal experience...and what triggered labor or did you just know that it was starting? Pretty much seeking info on 1st labor experiences!  Thank you all!

[buggie216]

My first was almost 3 weeks early...its really just a guessing game...either way you will have your baby in your arms before you know it :)

[kristielee21]

My first came at 36 weeks and he was absolutely perfect, just ready to come out, still had to go into special care as a precaution but I do remember a lot of people telling me first borns were always late!

[ms_feb]

My first baby came up 38 weeks coz I was having a really high blood pressure & they have to induced me. As long u hit 37 weeks & up it's considered full term;)

[Ashelen]

It's not that first babies DON'T come before their 40wk "due date", it's just that they tend to come when they're ready...for some babies that means 37, 38, 39wks even if they are a first baby...but it's far more common for first babies to go to their estimated due date or over. My daughter (my first baby) came ON her due date, all on her own - at exactly 40wks. My son was induced at 39w4d for my health.

Any time after 37 weeks MOST babies will be OK, but not all. Some  babies' lungs do not mature until closer to 39wks...so it's best just to hold on and relax and let baby decide when he or she is ready to be here...the longer they are in the womb, the better. At 37wks, your baby's brain has a LOT of maturing left to do, and between 37-41wks the brain matures more quickly in the womb than out. Again, some babies are ready at 37wks...but most are not, it just depends on baby :-). And many babies are born or induced at 37wks and their lungs STILL aren't mature. It is MUCH better to let baby come when he or she is ready, that way you have much less of a chance of being separated from baby while he/she is in the NICU! Like I said...most babies born after 37wks (and some born before) will be fine, but you never know..so take it easy mama, the wait isn't easy for anyone!

[parkersmommy]

That baby is coming when it wants to they say all kind of things can kick start labor I'll tell you a few but none of them worked for me they finally induced me 5 days from my due date because I was dialated to 3 contracting but not progressing and became tachycardic (my heart rate was way to fast). Some tricks to start labor have sex and raise your waist put a pillow under your butt and stay that way for about 30 minutes because semen supposedly thins your cervix. Have castor oil supposedly giving yourself diarrhea will cause you to contract lol.  Walking and squatting supposedly helps but my butt ran up and down stairs and it didn't make the baby come it just made me unhealthy lol. I know it's hard especially those last few weeks, you're so close you just want it to be over and you just want to hold that beautiful baby but it's almost over enjoy the last little bit of non mommy time you have and SLEEP WHILE YOU STILL CAN lol.

[Sharleenawagner]

Hello im 37 weeks 4 days, and it hust depends on baby I have had false alarms the last week im 3 cm dialated contracting but not progressing. My daughter whos 3 now I was exactly 1 month over due. My son whos 2 was 2 weeks early so it all depends on the baby. Dometimes docs have to induce but usually if no med problems and its first baby they just let the lil one xome.. Hope this helps good luck.