Sex and getting labor started?

[katie-p-]

So I'm just 3 days past my "due date" and had a question about sex. My dh and I dtd on Thurs and about 3 hours later I started to get cramping and feeling pretty nauesous. It lasted for a good 5-6 hours then went away and by the a.m. felt just grand. So now I'm kind of confused. At my appt. my cervix was still posterior but moving forward and my mw wasn't concerned about going past the due date. She said at 41 weeks we'd start talking about getting things going.

So my ? is, is sex good to help get my cervix ripe and all that good stuff or will it likely send me into labor without being ready? What do you all think about it? I'm down for getting it ready and doing some of the work before labor starts, I guess I'm just concerned about baby not being in the right position or forcing things before their ready. Thanks

[MiamiMami]

Semen helps to ripen the cervix. It won't work unless you are ready though.

I say continue to do it as long as you feel comfortable. I don't get why you would have nausea and cramping immediately after.

[lilysmama1124]

What does dtd mean? I was having mild contraction for several hours after dh and I had sex so I called my doula. My doula told me the same-that it wont start labor unless you are ready but can cause you to have "false labor" contractions that will settle down after you rest. The prostaglandin in semen helps ripen the cervix.

[MiamiMami]

Originally Posted by lilysmama1124

What does dtd mean?

Do THE deed

[katie-p-]

Ah, that is exactly what happened with me lilysmama!

[eccomi]

yes, katie-p-, that ALWAYS happens to me. it's kind of annoying and mildly painful/uncomfortable. but, no labor.

[Shantimama]

It helped for me with all three of my children! I must have been ready, but labour started within a few hours for all of my kids.

[mom2emerson]

Everything they said!!

And it did get things started for us! I was at a "girl's night out" dinner Tuesday night with friends and joked with them about how I had to leave early to go have sex with my DH since we really wanted the baby to be born the next day. We DTD that night: Maya was born at 9:43 am the next day!!

[katie-p-]

So we dtd again and same thing but this time I rested more and it was not as uncomfortable but still there. It sure doesn't feel like contractions just lots of cramping. Now I'm not sure if I want to keep it up because it seems to only cause discomfort and no baby!!!!

Yes eccomi EXACTLY the same for me! I'm a bit jealous of all you others that were lucky enough to get things started

[KIMBER1983]

My DH and I dtd on the sunday night. I started having early labor ctxns monday morning. I had my baby tuesday afternoon. So I think sex helped.

But.....like weeks before that we dtd and I got the cramping all nite and into the next day. It just caused braxton hicks.
So i think sex only works when your body is ready.