Does exercise strain induce labour?

[thegauntlet]

I am 39 weeks, and have been working out all through my pregnancy 3-4 times a week in the pool and the gym. I am pretty comfortable, and swam 4 miles front crawl with tumbles last week as I have been a little wary of the gym since I went on maternity leave.

But I am not really sure what I am scared of actually. I thought that oxytocin induces labour not adrenaline. So what is up with an increase of heartrate and an adrenaline rush from exercise? Seriously- I am being careful- and do take on loads of fluid and carbs; and feel as fit as ever.

Now that I am reaching the end of the road I wonder if there is a reason not to go to the gym next week. And hummm.... how can I put this.... Do you think it might actually help things along a bit?

I went to the gym right through each of my pregnancies and went into labour when exercising each time.

I am not as fit as you - am impressed with teh 4 miles front crawl in one week!

I noticed that had runs of BH when exercising, even brisk walking.

With DD ran in the park, which started contractions that turned into labour, with DS1 was walking in a hilly park and with DS2 was swimming, swam 40 lengths....