Why does labour usually start at night?

[ElleJay]

I'm not too sure - but the question flashed me back to when I was in labour with DS - started regularly contracting at 10pm and had DS at 6:56am the next day

[Traveller]

I think it is because we are mammals, and mammals give birth when they are warm, safe and cozy. And nowhere is warmer, safer or cosier than your bed at home

[jackrose]

It's very frustrating isn't it! A long or stop start pre-labour.

What you are going through is very common for first time labours but I think you are very wise (well actually I know you are cos I have read a few of your wise posts!) to question it and think through it.

You certainly could be needing to mentally process things that are a subconscious concern, and absolutely could be needing your DH to be with you. Or it could be the prep and cleaning playing on your mind. As others have said, the calmness, stillness and more likely relaxation at night means more women tend to labour then. (Although if you are more uncomfortable then I am not sure if this rings true!)

Mostly, I think the stop start of labour for first time labours is because the body and the cervix particularly has so much to do it takes a lot of time. It has to go from being a tunnel shape, pull up and then begin to dilate. Some women are lucky that this all happens without them knowing and they go straight into the business end of dilation, and for some women it happens more quickly. For some other lucky women (you and me by the sounds of it!) It takes tiiiimmmeee, gives us real contractions as practice and drives us round the bend!

Keep in mind that your baby is coming when they are ready, meditate on that and (Sorry, hate to say it,) go with the flow.

Your mental prep will help you I believe too, mentally checking everything is ready could set you off. It worked for me. I was stressed about all the things I had to do before my DD arrived (she was due at Christmas and I had all the presents to organise!!) One day I just realised it was all done, I was ready and then Labour began properly the next day!

Hope things get moving very soon, I am looking forward to seeing your BA!

[smiles4u]

Just wondering why labour usually starts at night. Is it a hormonal thing? Or a movement thing?

... i was thinking all was going to happen at night too then come one morning at 9am and that all changed, LOL

[~Trish~]

I've read that it's because your oxytocin levels peak at around 4am (give or take) in the morning which is what starts labour off. Two of my labours started at 4am!

ETA - Just found a quote from a great thread:

Oxytocin levels are highest between about 2-4am...which is why many women go into labor in the early wee hours (at term).

The thread is here, it's a great, informative read : https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...f-methods.html

[Glamourcide]

I believe it is because babies are bloody inconvenient at the best of times, and they're getting a head-start on making us lose sleep by sitting on our bladders all night, then making us go into labour in the wee hours just when we're finally getting comfy. I was in labour with mild contractions from about 2pm on a Saturday afternoon, 5cm dilated at around 6pm, went home from hospital and went to bed at 11 feeling quite comfortable, then BANG GTFO OF BED MUM IT'S 3:30AM AND I FEEL LIKE MAKING AN APPEARANCE. :/

Best of luck

[Lulu]

I couldn't imagine labouring during the day. It's too bloody noisy!

Kate with my last 2 bubs, one made an appearance the night I finally found what I wanted to wear in labour, the second the day I found the new couch I wanted. I refused to have visitors for the new bubs sitting on a cruddy couch.

Baby and I were home before the couch was delivered

I think now you have finished those last few things and DH will be home soon - bubs will follow Can't wait to read your BA xoxoxo

[Snacks]

Big hugs, Kate. Sorry that there has been so much going on for you atm. I fully believe in there being obstacles to going into labour. Maybe you have been getting these niggles overnight and then when your full state of consciousness kicks in things slow down... (I experienced this with Phoebe.)
Only things I can suggest are succombing to your body's being in charge of when baby arrives (we like to be in control of these things, but we really need to resign ourselves to the fact that your body knows best and you need to trust it). This may mean ignoring text messages, telling your well-meaning family to rack off... any number of things
The other thing is, I believe we need to welcome labour and welcome the baby in our minds. I did this with Phoebe by holding some of her clothes, sitting in her room, singing to her and telling her I was ready for her. By that stage I was actually ready for her too, which is why I think it helped.
All the best, mate. You are going to be fabulous.

[smiles4u]

I couldn't imagine labouring during the day. It's too bloody noisy!

LOL, thankfully i gave birth 39mins after arriving at the hospital before lunchtime

[~Raven~]

It's got to do with the peak of the hormone making by the pituitary gland which happens during your sleep cycles so I've been told!

[Kass79]

I watched that documentry on that baby elephant (mr shuffles) being born...and elephants only labour at night, so if it isn't born by morning, it stops, and starts again at night time....so glad i'm not an elephant - and plus they pregnant for 24 months - don't think I could handle that!