Can stress delay the start of labour?

[bluebeanie]

Hi everyone. I've had a pretty straight forward pregnancy. I'm now 40+6 with dc1. We've known for a while of the possibility, but last Friday (day before EDD), it was confirmed that my dh was being made redundant as of that day.

This week he has been to several interviews and so fingers crossed. I'm trying to look on the positive side, but I worry about going into labour and him missing out on an interview.

I try not to let on to him, but I'm so upset about the timing. Luckily we are ok for money for a while, which really helps, but it is something we really don't need right now.

My question is, do you think on some level, I'm holding this baby in until it is 'safe' to come out? Each time he gets another interview I am pleased for him, but in my head I am thinking ''ok, just hang on until that day''.

Sorry, not really sure why I'm posting really. I'm just upset and fed up with all the well meaning expectant texts ''hope you are ok...?!/ Any news...?!'' from friends and family. Most don't know about the redundancy. I've tried pineapple, loads of walking, bouncing on ball, raspberry leaf tablets and acupuncture x 3 sessions. Will try dtd if we can manage it and I've got a sweep on Monday which I really don't like the sound of. Induction booked for Thursday. Trying to remain positive. Sorry about the ramble.

Adrenaline which is associated with stress can definitely slow or inhibit labour so I guess it's possible it could stop it from starting entirely.

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this at the moment. Sending labour vibes your way and good luck vibes for your DH.

Stress definitely delays giving birth. My dear friendly old cat died on the day I was due! So upset! Had appointment to be induced but shock of that made me give birth the day before. Good luck yo you and your husband in the job and baby front .

Yes it can, in my experience. When I had DS I was in established labour at home, had to transfer to hospital on my own leaving DH to come later after he'd got our dd to nursery. My contractions slowed and slowed and slowwwwwwed, until DH walked into the room when I got 3 in a row. I know this was because I felt stressed and unsafe at the hospital with the bloody awful midwives and no DH.

Hmm, I will have to try and relax somehow! Thank you for your posts ladies.

Absolutely it can. I was wondering though if you are ok for now money wise if there are any positives in the redundancy you can see? It could be nice to be able to spend a bit more time as a family in the very early days? I hope your dh finds something he likes soon though. Good luck.

We are ok for money as luckily we have savings. Still no sign of baby at 40+9. Sweep booked for today and induction on Thursday. I feel frustrated and angry.

Yes but not indefinitely!

Why don't you try visualisations of your dh using the redundancy as a benefit. Believe he WILL get a job, and that when he does he can engineer a later start date and you can have days all tucked up in bed watching TV and eating M&S microwave meals whilst feeding the baby and staring in awe at his/her tiny fingernails.

Stress can delay the baby from coming. I had a bit of a 'different' birthplan that sent the midwives in a tiz and insisting that I saw a consultant. My birth plan was different because in my last labour I was assaulted by a Junior doctor (don't worry, not usual, at least I hope not), so the last thing I was going to do was see a consultant.

I refused but kept getting phonecalls about it as I went more and more overdue.

I saw a midwife at 5pm at day 11 who said baby hadn't even descended into the pelvis and cervix was closed and far back. She told me she was going to call the consultant because she didn't know what to do with me (nothing would get me into hospital for almost any reason).

At 8pm she phoned me and told me that I didn't need to see a consultant. Home birth as planned. Baby born at home early next morning and came shooting out without any need for pain relief.

Hi bluebeanie I'm sorry to hear about your DH's redundancy.

This might sound like a really annoying suggestion at this point, but instead of trying things to induce labour (which aren't necessarily very relaxing, and may be adding to the pressure you're feeling), what about doing something for yourself that you might find relaxing? Such as reflexology or a swim?

Again, neither of you may feel inclined, but what about going out to dinner with your DH? You know what they say about setting the scene for birth as being like the first date, in order to get the love/ birth hormones going..? Perhaps having a relaxing evening, remembering why you're with him and why you chose to have this baby together? (no talk of the redundancy).

Good luck! X

Star - good idea. I've actually found it really good having him home at the moment as he has tried his best to make me feel better about going overdue. He's baked me cake and we've gone on long walks.

Baby - Will definitely try and focus on relaxing. I've got a reflexology session booked tomorrow.

Enjoy!