First two arrived early .. but no. 3 not wanting to come out..beginning to despair!

[Sara333]

Hi,
My first two children were born at 37 and a half weeks, went into labour almost exactly the same day, so was naturally expecting the third to follow suit ... However I am now at 39 weeks and getting terrible hip pain, pressure on nerves, etc. feel like it's never going to end. Baby's head's been engaged for over 2 weeks and is very low but just doesn't seem to want to put in an appearance. Has anyone else had a similar experience? How late did it go? Also am beginning to panic as everyone tells me third labours are unpredictable and often a lot more difficult than second ones .. anyone shed any light? If baby doesn't come soon I think I'll scream, as am totally exhausted from lack of sleep etc.!

[pillowcase]

Hoping it'll go smoothly for you, if it's any consolation my 3rd was by far the easiest.

Had to laugh at your thread title though - I had a mental picture of a woman in labour with triplets, had had 2 and was asking advice on the internet while she waited for the 3rd!!!

[Sara333]

Pillowcase, sorry about that, just read it and see what you mean!! That would be really funny ...

[Astarte]

rofl I thought you were having triplets too

3rds are easy-peasy, no doubt when baby arrives it'll be shockingly fast, so perhaps prepare for that possibility.

Good luck! I hope it's soon for you, failing that you probably will have the baby in you arms by another 3 weeks!

[MoshiMoshi]

Sara333 - you know, of course, that DC 3 will eventually come! I suppose your expectation has let you down more than anything and now your mind is wandering and you are fretting. Perhaps the best thing to do is work on relaxation techniques now to (a) make the most of this time with just two and (b) prepare yourself mentally for the baby's arrival, and so you will cope well juggling the three?!

Mine have all come at 39.5 weeks so I am sort of expecting the same but have also tried to tell myself that each one is different so am working on my expectations too this time (7 weeks to go, or 6.5 if the pattern is to be continued!)

Good luck!

[gingertoo]

DS 3 arrived at 42 weeks!!! I'd lost the will to live by then and was so fed up with people asking whether the baby had arrived yet! When he did eventually put in an appearance though, it was a nice short labour - 48 mins from first pain til ds3 in arms

Try and relax. Good luck

[FlyMeToDunoon]

All mine came 2 weeks late! Including the third but have to agree it was the easiest.
Chill if you can.

[Sara333]

Thanks, yes the expectations certainly haven't helped, even told the kids that the baby would come then which was a big mistake as to them waiting a week or two longer than expected is like a lifetime!

Best of luck too Moshimoshi! Will try and relax.

Gingertoo, must have been hell, were your DC 1 and 2 late too?

[gingertoo]

Yep - little monkeys - all born at 42 weeks!!
Even so, I still did the same as you - from about 36 wks I was saying to myself 'could be any time now'.......

Try and relax hon, won't be long now

[2HotCrossBunsAnd1InTheOven]

My heart is sinking a little reading this thread - am pg with DC3, DS1 was born 10 days early and DS2 5 days early. I seem to have longer pregnancies each time, not shorter... I think I might have to manage my own expectations...

Good luck anyway with the arrival of no3. It won't stay inside forever!