How to delay labor naturally?

Question

So I have done a lot of research about gestational age and how it can affect the baby and it turns out that babies born at around 41 weeks are far more likely to have better cognitive abilities, better reading and arithmetics skills, a higher IQ and are generally more developed, especially later in life. My question is does anyone of you know some things that will help delay labor naturally? I am 34 weeks currently, no BH contractions, no signs of labor, but I would like my baby to keep cooking till 41 plus weeks. Thanks in advance.

Answer

Nothing really you can do. Plus there are also risk when you start going pass 41 weeks. Your risk of csection increases, your placenta can start to give out, fetal distress. Let your body do what it's suppose to do

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I'm pretty sure you can't,  as baby will come when baby is ready and our due dates are only estimations anyway so baby could decide to come anytime from 37-41 weeks anyway x

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I'm just going to put this out there. There isn't any studies that prove what you just said. From personal experience, my sister came earlier than me, but she is better at many of those things you just mentioned. But then I'm better at other things. Gestational age has nothing to do with some things.

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Yeah, I agree completely. I wouldn't want to stop natural labor ever. The mere thought morrifies me. I was just wondering if there were any natural methods to delay it, just like there are natural methods to induce labor. Of course, they also don't work if the baby doesn't want to come out. But thanks anyway :)

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I agree the longer the better, hypothetically. However due dates aren't 100% and trying to stop a naturally progressing labor will cause fetal distress. That being said, stay hydrated and make sure you have magnesium in adequate amounts. If you feel labor relax in warm Epsom salt bath (ask docs and not if you're diabetic). But stopping true labor isn't going to be pretty.

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Remember your due date is just an estimate so the 41 week make is not a definitive measurement. I would just let baby grow as long as he or she needs. If you are dead set on delaying labor, stay sedentary and avoid sex. Though staying active with walking is recommended in the third trimester for a less stressful labor on you and the baby.

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Intelligence and cognitive abilities are mostly genetic and how you educate. I could not imagine wanting to go over my due date. I am due the 17th and am measuring about a week ahead, and wish that he would come at 37 weeks. The school cut off date where I am is September 1st, and if they are born after that they have to wait a whole year. I would much rather my child be the youngest in the class than the oldest. There have been studies that showed that youngest kids so struggle more, but they end up doing better in life because of that. I'm probably going to end up homeschooling for at least four years no matter when he is born though, I don't like public school teaching methods and ideologies and we can't afford to send multiple kids to private or magnet school.

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I can understand some mothers want their baby to come early because they feel really sick and have had very complicated pregnancies so, as long as the baby is fine, the would not mind giving birth early. Me, myself, I can't wait to see her and I say all the time I wish she comes sooner but I know the best for her is that she comes whenever is ready.

This applies too when you try to stop labor, when you try to have the baby later... I think it is a little bit selfish to think you want your baby later so the baby is more intelligent... No aim to hurt anybody... But this is like pretending to choose hair color, body shape, eye color... Your baby will come when he/she is ready to enter the world, and you should love him/her no matter how soon or how late comes, and no matter how "intelligent" or which "abilities" he/she has. Trying to modify this... It is a little bit weird. The baby has not been born yet and you are trying to modelate him/her... It is a person, not an sculpture.

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I don't agree with inducing labour and the risks going over 42 weeks is dangerous too. When it happens it happens. In the uk we induce around 7-10 days post dates due to increased risk of still birth. Which I agree with as for intelligence. My oldest who is 14 is not my brightest. He was born at 41+6. He had steroids due to early labour at 26 weeks which research now shows steroid injections can cause problems with social and learning. My youngest who is 26 month is exceptionally clever. He knows all his colours, counts to 10 and can do half the alphabet including recognising those letters. He was 39 weeks delivery. Intelligence I believe is mainly genetic.