sex and labor?

[leurMaman]

Okay - I know that sex is supposed to stimulate or encourage labor. Specifically, I know that sperm acts as a prostroglandin (yikes - spelling?!) that softens the cervix. However, my husband and I tried to make love after hours of what turned out to be false labor. Around that time everything pretty much quit - and I had no cntx after that (well, maybe just after but then nothing).

My other question is specifically about orgasms. What effect to do they have on labor or contractions? During fertile stages, these cause the cervix to open and shut (allowing sperm in to fertilize the eggs) right? This can't happen when you are pregnant can it (cervix must be fairly sealed for most of the 9 months) - so what is the physiological effect of these? I was so disappointed that nothing I did kept my "labor" going for the last two episodes of false labor, and I hate to blame sex, but that seems to be what stalled me.

Thanks for any info you have.

[ladybugchild77]

Well, from what my MW told me last time when I was on "pelvic rest" due to two miscarriages and pre term labor, orgasms can cause the uterus to contract; specifically those from - um - how do I put this - external stimulation create a stronger orgasm and therefore a stronger chance that the uterus will contract. And you are correct about the sperm. I do believe, however, that unless your cervix is ready to go that neither of these methods will work...that being said...the night before my water broke with my dd#1 we - um - did the deed - and I went into labor the next morning ...practice makes perfect!

[starlein26]

I assumed (haven't read anything) that since having an orgasm releases oxytocin...that maybe it could jumpstart labor, so to speak. Don't know that it did much for me directly but maybe peripherally? At the very least it feels good right...

[MidnightCommando]

Well it's not working on our end! Becuase of the Bfs job and the fact that my OB is actually in town this week, we really want the baby to come NOW! We have been doing it 2x/day for the last few daystosee if the semen will speed things up. Seeing if orgasms work, let's just say I've been busy while the BF is away at work. I'm still only having 2-3 braxton hicks per day. I guess we can try what we want but the old adage, only the baby knows when the time is right' is very very true!

We're going to continue what we've been doing but I've also added a different twist. Today I keep telling her that is she comes this week her daddy will buy her a pony (he plans on it someday anyways)

[leurMaman]

Thanks for the brave responses (I know it is a highly personal topic). I just had to add this - We did the deed again during prodomal labor last night (to see if it would help cntx along - oh, and because we love each other hehehe - sorry to make it sound so textbook!) and about 20 minutes later all the cntx and stuff came to a screeching stop. So I'm noticing a pattern that it stops or slows down labor!! Anyway, that can't be true for everyone, and maybe it helps in the long run (ie I've been having cntx today), but there's my observation for what it is worth.

Anyone go into labor right after or during?