I meant to say that High cortisol (not anabolic steroids)  levels increase the inflammatory response, but also increase prostaglandins, which encourages increase of blood flow and also contraction of muscles.  (Non- Steroidal anti inflamatory’s work to block prostaglandins and that is how they block pain.)    We all know how it affects blood pressure and blood sugar, but it does affect the level of prostaglandins also, and that is more than likely helps to start labour off too because it stimulates contractions of the uterus.  

As they elevate during pregnancy, I guess that is what contributes to Braxton Hicks from a certain point onwards in pregnancy, but then as the cortisol and prostaglandin levels climb higher towards the 40th week, there is enough of those prodstaglandins to stimulate stronger contractions and actually stimulate labour.  As soon as you start in labour, and waters rupture or the cervix starts to dilate, the cortisol levels peak under the sheer stress of labour of course.  Normally you’d go 40 weeks before this happens but I am guessing that someone with LOCAH would really pump the cortisol stuff out in huger amounts a whole lot sooner than they do at term and possibly go into labour sooner and even develop pre eclampsia.