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Do you think mental state affects going into labor?

alienaaliena
in Natural Birth
My husband was out of town for 10 days before I was due.  I went into labor the day that he got back, on my due date. Just curious what others think.  I also had a friend who went two weeks overdue and she thought it was because she loved being pregnant so much (she held her in?!)
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Re: Do you think mental state affects going into labor?

  • LollyBug18LollyBug18 member
    It'd be great if that were the case because I really need this LO to stay put while we're traveling next weekend! And I'd really like him/her to stay put until the end of October, I've got a lot going on this next month!
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  • SidraJediSidraJedi member
    I've noticed that some women who are stressed may go further past their due date than those who are not or if the stress is suddenly lifted they go into labor. I picked that up from the handful of pregnant women I have been acquainted or friends with so my experience is limited.
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  • Temp76535187505890Temp76535187505890
    I certainly think its a big factor but maybe not the end all be all. 
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  • MrsNash37212MrsNash37212 member

    Yes, I think it can affect it. I had a similar situation in that DH was traveling for work the week that I was 39 weeks pregnant and I was nervous that he wouldn't make it if anything happened. I went straight into active labor 5 hours after he got home and I truly think it had a lot to do with being mentally "ready" and relaxed as soon as he got home.



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  • oliversmommy32912oliversmommy32912 member
    imageSidraJedi:
    I've noticed that some women who are stressed may go further past their due date than those who are not or if the stress is suddenly lifted they go into labor. I picked that up from the handful of pregnant women I have been acquainted or friends with so my experience is limited.


    I totally believe this! I had a stressful job and was having a hard time dealing with everything. My mw put me on leave. On my first day of maternity leave I literally did nothing all day except lay on the couch and nap and watch tv. The next day I had the baby. I was only 36.6. I think my body got the rest it needed to evict that baby!
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  • ncbellencbelle member
    To some degree - yes!  Stress definitely prevents the body from labor.  Makes evolutionary sense, right - if our prehistoric ancestors gave birth in a stressful/unsafe situation, baby could get eaten!  So mental calm and readiness does matter although of course there are other things at play too.


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  • mystranamystrana member
    I definitely agree with PPs - I imagine your mental state can affect going into labor, but it is not the only reason.
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  • sbevmc09sbevmc09 member
    I agree with everyone else, I do think mental/emotional state plays into it.  It's not the only thing of course, but I do believe it's a factor.  If you think about it, labor is totally hormone driven, and they know that stress can negatively impact your labor progression so I'm certain it would also have an impact on things before they even got started, you know? 
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  • alienaaliena
    I think so too.  I bet the stress made me wait for DH to come home even though I always thought I'd be overdue!
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  • mjr12mjr12 member
    I also agree with PP.  I think that mental state and emotional preparedness play a role in the birth.  With #1, I had several trouble files at work, and finally forced myself to sit down and get my stuff in order, create my calendar and notes for my files, etc.  and I went into labor that night.  Had baby the next morning.  39w2d.
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  • tasiacelestetasiaceleste

    imageoliversmommy32912:
    I totally believe this! I had a stressful job and was having a hard time dealing with everything. My mw put me on leave. On my first day of maternity leave I literally did nothing all day except lay on the couch and nap and watch tv. The next day I had the baby. I was only 36.6. I think my body got the rest it needed to evict that baby!

    This is exactly what I assume will happen to me.  My leave starts 2.5 weeks before I'm due, and can easily imagine immediately going into labor.

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