Sex and labor

[Banana731]

How effective do you think sex really is in starting labor?  I am 38 weeks and while I'd actually like to continue to be intimate with my dh, I don't want to go into labor yet if I can avoid it! I was thinking maybe we could use condoms, that way no semen.

I know that sex didn't do much for us with my first pregnancy, when were actively trying to go into labor, but this is number 3 you know?

Any thoughts?

[Marissamom]

with my DD, DF and I were long-distance until I was 37 weeks and a couple of days, so when we were together again we were having sex at least once a day. she was born after a week and a half of this. it's like any natural induction method, it only works if you are within a couple of days of going into labor on your own, or for some people if they haven't had sex in months and don't have a tolerance to the prostoglandins and oxytocin built up. it can help your body get ready for an easier labor, but in terms of actually starting labor, it really will only get you going a couple days early. 

[jksmith]

It won't put your body into labour if it's not ready. Just have fun and enjoy being intimate while you can.

[Italiamom]

Originally Posted by jksmith 

It won't put your body into labour if it's not ready. Just have fun and enjoy being intimate while you can.

If it really, truly bothers you, then have your DH wear a condom, or ejaculate externally.  Neither is as much... er... fun.  But if it puts you at more ease, you'll probably be able to enjoy the sex more.  Which makes it sexier for both you and your partner!

[Smokering]

It's not just about the prostoglandins in the semen though, it's about oxytocin. Still, as PPs have said, I wouldn't tend to worry - if it worked THAT well, we'd have fewer frustrated postdates mothers on this board! 

[Banana731]

Originally Posted by Smokering 

It's not just about the prostoglandins in the semen though, it's about oxytocin. Still, as PPs have said, I wouldn't tend to worry - if it worked THAT well, we'd have fewer frustrated postdates mothers on this board! 

 

[jksmith]

Originally Posted by Smokering 

It's not just about the prostoglandins in the semen though, it's about oxytocin. Still, as PPs have said, I wouldn't tend to worry - if it worked THAT well, we'd have fewer frustrated postdates mothers on this board! 

Exactly! I was having sex and orgasms everyday, and still went to 41+6!

[tonttu]

Yep , same here , we REALLY tried to get me into labor and the only thing , that happened , that I was almost sore from all the trying , but my daughter wouldn´t budge until way over the due date

[lsmama]

I'm living proof right now that sex will not necessarily make you go into labor.  We've been going at it daily for 2.5 weeks, and so far nada...

GL and have fun!

[dalasmueller]

I think it definitely depends on your body and the pregnancy.  DH and I had intercourse twice the week before my duedate.  After each time I had minor, consistent contractions for an entire day.  That was on Wednesday and Friday I believe.  Then I didn't have any contractions until the next Wednesday when DD was born.  When my labor did officially begin (the morning before her duedate) my contractions were immediately difficult with little time in between.  My labor only lasted 8 hours, which is pretty good for a firstborn I think!

My theory is that my labor had actually started the week before, after intercourse, but stopped of its own accord until baby was ready. It was nice in the sense that my labor was shorter, but I certainly wasn't expecting the difficult contractions right away!  I also think she may have come just a little bit earlier because of it since she was "acting" early when she was born.  She had a LOT of vernix and other such things.  So for me I think it made a difference, but again, it really depends on your body and everyone's different.