Full moon affecting labor

[sterling]

Does anyone here know anything about the full moon's effects on labor? I was just curious, because I'm due Oct. 31 and just wondering if because the full moon is on Oct. 26, maybe that might make me go into labor before the due date. I hope so! DH has a wedding in St. Thomas on Nov. 11.

[naismama]

:

I know I went into labor with dd the night of the full moon (there was a pretty good storm too). I think there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that it affects labor, but lots of people will say it doesn't matter. My midwife wants me to watch out for the full moon at the end of this month. Her apprentice, who is a doula, says look for action around the new moon too. I'm interested to see what responses you get here!

[aylaanne]

My DH was 2.5 weeks late and born under the NEW moon, so I'm expecting to be a week late at least for that reason (I'm due on the 31st too). I think a better indication of when you'll go into labor is by looking at your mother and your mother-in-law's labors. I was 1.5 weeks late, DH was 2.5 weeks late, we're both the first born. AFAIK, none of our siblings was early, so I'm working right up to my due date.

My DH has a wedding in Ft. Lauderdale the weekend after thansgiving. I'll have a baby by then, one way or another, so him missing the labor isn't an issue, but he's the best man so he has to go. I'll be missing the wedding, because I'm neither flying with a newborn nor leaving said newborn at home.

[gottaknit]

My water broke on my due date with DS, but I didn't go into labor until three days later, on the full moon.

I think most L&D nurses will tell you they get pretty busy during the full moon. Drs on the other hand, would never admit such a thing occurs. :

I think for women who have cycles that normally match the phases of the moon, going into labor during the full moon is pretty normal. I always ovulate during the full moon, so... : Entirely JMO, of course.

[kconterio]

i actually brought this up when we toured our hospital and the l&D nurse said that they are actually busier just after the full moon.

of course i'm due the day after the full moon, so maybe i'll go right on time!

[QuestionGal]

My midwife says if the full or new moon has been affecting you throughout the pregnancy or if your cycles were always in synch with the phases of the moon then YES be ready for it to have an impact on going into labor. For me personally it DOES have an effect, I had a hard day right after the lunar eclipse, and I always ovulated with the full moon.

Storms are also said to trigger labor, something about the drop in barometric pressure... All I know is the next full moon isn't for 10 more Days and I don't think I can last that much longer!!!

[naismama]

Originally Posted by QuestionGal

My midwife says if the full or new moon has been affecting you throughout the pregnancy or if your cycles were always in synch with the phases of the moon then YES be ready for it to have an impact on going into labor.

How exciting! The night of last month's full moon I felt so tired and achy and had my first real contractions. When is the next one exactly? the 26th?

[IfMamaAintHappy]

Full moon and barometric pressure drops affect labor/contractions. That's from my midwife, who usually has a back to back set of births during full moons, and tends to deliver several babies in 2 or 3 days when a storm comes through.

If your body isnt ready, it doesnt usually happen for you... but you can get some nice dilation out of a thunderstorm!

[pottermama]

I have heard that the full moon does affect labor. Both of my kiddos were born during meteor showers so I am hoping that the moon affects me the same way. Although I am hoping to go before the 26th. : THe m/w I go through say they are busiest during full moon and storms.

[HeatherB]

I also tend to believe these "myths" as I've seen so many people substantiate them. I've talked with nurses on L&D floors say absolutely, they are very busy during a big storm or full moon. I haven't ever paid attention to whether or not the moon has affected my cycles, etc. But with my last babe I went into labor at 39wks exactly, and the full moon falls on 39wks this time, too! So here's hoping!

[sterling]

thanks for the input, ladies!

[jenmarie]

My mom's been a nurse on a postpartum floor for several years and she says they're always VERY busy during a full moon. Whether it's because of any natural influence or a sort of psychosomatic thing, I don't know.

The ER is also likely to be quite busy the night of a full moon. Something about it brings out the 'loonies', they say.