Contractions after sex? « Back to Group Discussions

[babychak]

Sorry if this is too "TMI," but I'm just curious if others have experienced this. My husband and I had sex last night for the first time in quite some time, and after he, um, completed his part, I started having contractions that felt like really bad menstrual cramps. They came and went every few minutes for the rest of the evening - several hours. Since they didn't get more intense or closer together, I wasn't too worried and just went to bed, and they were gone when I woke up. Has anyone else experienced this? As if this isn't already TMI, I hadn't had an orgasm myself - previously I have experienced some tightening for a little while after having an orgasm, but I didn't even have one last night, and it's never lasted this long or been this intense before. I assume it's because of the prostaglandins in the sperm? Wow - that is powerful stuff. I'm 34 weeks today - I think we might need to use condoms from now on until we are actually trying to induce labor!

[kparker]

It's things like this that has me worried about going anywhere NEAR my husband!

[abouttobe5]

A couple of things could have happened - sperm is known to start the process anyhow (at least my midwives are heavily suggesting that when we're ready, we can have sex as much as we want....lol, it's the last thing I'm craving right now but my DH is so excited at that suggestion) and if you had an orgasm, it could have been enough to start mild contractions.  

But it being only 34 weeks, maybe hold back for a while.    If I had any urge or any energy, I'd be all over it.  My poor hubby is totally deprived.  

[sere234]

Could have been all the movement and activity that is needed to have a good time in bed.  Maybe your body isn't used to that kind of movement? Glad the cramps went away though!

I hope this doesn't make this turn into the "deprived of sex" thread but we're going through that here. Just don't feel like it with a big belly and so many pre-baby projects to finish during DS's sleep time. Sigh. It hasn't been a priority and DH and I are both missing it I think.....

[kateaton]

Sorry I have no advice or experience with the cramping after sex, but it's comforting to know I'm not the only pregnant woman who is abstinent right now.  I feel bad for my dh, but seriously, it is just not working for me. 

I will say that with my last baby, I wasn't as asexual as I've been this time, but it wasn't happening a whole lot.  The day before my due date I had the most intense desire for sex, the entire day.  My dh was at work and it was all I could think about.  Later that night we dtd and several hours later I woke up in labor and had my daughter 12 hours later.  It was crazy to me, because I hadn't been having any signs of labor before that, no contractions or anything.  But it was like my body knew that it needed sex (or the prostaglandins) to get things going. 

[fayebond]

babychak, I hear you.  I get contractions from any kind of good times with DH, usally not bad and they go away like you said after a bit.  TMI, we had fun up to the literal last minute before my water broke with DD.  I've read up on the subject alot because of that!  Sperm from the baby's father can have an antibody type effect on the baby, bolstering their immune system and coating the uterus with this cool, protective substance whose name I forget.  It is good for baby's health and can help them stay inside for longer.  It only has this effect as long as you are having relativly frequent...fun... and the baby is not sending "I'm ready" signals.  Eventually, the more the baby softens the cervix from the inside, and the shorter the canal gets, the more hormonal the sperm's effect becomes because it gets closer (in larger quantity) to the mucus plug than before.  The activity down there helps labor start as well.  You know how they are slower nowadays about checking your dilation before baby's safe to come out?  Similar logic, anything up you know what can stimulate baby to come out, so condoms, not necessarily helpful.   We plan to lay off the fun between 30 and 35 weeks to be safe, so you only have one more week to wait if you want to do that.  More TMI but the following have worked. Lay still together after as long as possible.  Have fun at least once a week, more and the contractions get less intense.  Don't use the toilet right away.  Stay super hydrated.   Like I said, TMI, but hey, we all know how we got into this club!  

[OceansEve]

I do have experience with this! :) I knew I was in early labor with DD3 at 2am, had an ob appt that afternoon, thought surely I'd get the - go straight to L&D and instead got the - yeah, probably another couple of days grrrr.... I called DH on my way home (since the other DDs were w/ MIL) and told him to get home for a booty call. Within an hour of us both completing early labor turned into active labor, by 10pm I was at L&D in terrible pain, she was out by 5am the next morning. It CAN be a VERY effective way to get labor to progress, however that being said I WILL NOT do that again. It upped the intesity way too fast for me!

Some minor ctx after sex are totally normal. I've dealt with those every pregnancy, there's nothing to worry about unless you are showing signs of early labor. It's like all the other methods of encouraging baby out. You can walk the mall from 9-5 everyday, but if baby isn't already sending signals to your body that they're ready to come out you're just getting exercise when you should be sleeping!

TMI ahead - As for when you should be worried - I told DH yesterday that sex is off the table until further notice. Why? I have been having cervical pain and some on and off REAL ctx all weekend (I've been sick it could be why my body is freaking out). They've not been organized so this alone was not enough to worry me, but after seeing a few spots of blood on my underwear yesterday I decided to check my cervix. Normally it's so high I can't even feel it. When I went in to have DD2 after my water broke the nurse was digging in me to get to it. I am normally very, very high. I was surprised to feel my cervix with incredible ease, not only that, but it was incredibly squishy. I'm still closed, but this is enough to concern me. Fortunately I have an appt on thursday so we will see what she thinks is up. If you are not squimish check your cervix, that's the best indicator of something going on.

[MrsKoehn]

When I orgasm I contract some. As long as the Mama's comfortable it's actually good for you and baby, as others have noticed.

[babychak]

Thanks for sharing your experiences - I was pretty sure it was somewhat normal, but as a first time mom I freak out at anything that resembles contractions!

And, don't worry, those of you who aren't sexually active right now are not alone - this was seriously the first time in a couple months. I feel so huge and it's hard for me to move much, so sex is just about the last thing on my mind! I only gave in because he was back from being out of town for the weekend, so I was feeling a little more lovey than I do on a day-to-day basis these days. Haha.