Can you prevent early labour?

[BLWalters]

When I say early I mean the standard 37 weeks full term going from there, not premature.

To give a rundown, I am 37 weeks pregnant the day after my DS’ birthday. I’d ideally like to have their birthdays further apart so my actual due date around then is ideal haha!

With DS I had an ELCS due to breach 3 days early, I had not really any signs of labour just some mild braxton hicks and I think I would’ve went around/over due date.

Im just wondering are there some things that are more likely to make you go into labour earlier? So I can avoid? Happy to let my little lady cook as long as she wants haha!

I know like overall I fully cannot prevent when she will arrive but I want to ensure I don’t do anything accidental that may make my chances higher of her arriving early etc

Avoid all the usual things suggested to get baby out. So no sex, or nipple stimulation like colostrum harvesting. I would avoid doing lots of uphill walking or stairs. Avoid curries and spicy food.

The most likely thing to help start labour is getting oxytocin flowing so doing nice relaxing things. Although it's probably not that advisable but being a bit stressed about having birthdays close together might actually go in your favour in terms of delaying things.

@Wrongsideofpennines im quite an anxious person who gets easily stressed… so I basically need to continue being myself?😆 good news!!

thank you about the colostrum harvesting reminder it slipped my mind. Will do that nearer due date rather than from 37w.

It’s much better if you can keep baby in until 39 weeks anyway as those last few weeks are really important for lung development. You are more likely to go over your due date than before it so don’t worry too much

I've read some research that suggests 1000mg of DHA daily (ie fish oil, but needs to be pregnancy safe) is not only really good for baby development, but also decreases early births. Could be worth a try?