Can sex really bring on labor?

Question

Im 37 weeks pregnant and want to find ways to start labor...does this REALLY work?

Answer 1

It can, because of a chemical in semen called prostoglandins (not sure of the spelling). These natural chemicals can have an inductin effect similar to pitocin, which is a medicine administered for much the same purpose. As always, consult your doctor, but they will likely tell you it may work. No guarantees, as it didn't work for my wife and I with our first child, but we came to find out there was a positioning issue with how she was in the uterus and she was eventually birthed by c-section.

Answer 2

Yes, sex can help. An orgasim is what can stimulate labor along with nipple stimulation. It will release chemicals and then, if your body & baby are both ready, labor can stop.

But if it doesn't work through the first time...keep trying! That is always fun!

Good luck, and congratulations to you in regards to the new baby who will arrive soon enough...but it won't be soon enough for you. I have 2 children and 20 years later I still remember just how uncomfortable I was at 37 weeks.

Answer 3

Two different things happen with sex. 1. Sperm can help your cervix to thin out or efface. This is due to some chemical within it. 2. Having an orgasm can cause you to dilate because it makes your uterus contract. Now, bear in mind that sex can make you have contractions but will not necessarily jumpstart "real" labor. More than likely you will experience false labor as a result, which is contractions that do not make you dilate. That's what happened to me after sex. Sorry to say but the baby will only come when it's ready. I am hoping our baby is ready soon :)

Answer 4

A walk in the park can bring on labor. A sneeze can bring on labor. A passing low front can bring on labor. By the way, I have it on good authority that worrying about not going into labor can delay labor. Stop worry, be happy, take a nice walk.

Answer 5

sex will only work if your body and baby is ready to come out i....it also suggests that you not induce labor until you are 38+ because sometimes the due date can be wrong by a couple of weeks....i am 38 weeks prego and no sex didnt work for me but it all depend on the person

Answer 6

Any kind of activity, walking, running, sex, bouncing, etc. can bring labor on.

Trust me. My wife jumped up and down on December 23 when I gave my son a sleigh ride. My daughter was born on Christmas Eve!

Answer 7

it can if your doctor has told you that your cervix is "ripe"....you have dialated, or effaced some. If your cervix is still high and closed, then it probably wont' do anything. At 36 weeks, I was inpatient and drank 2 bottles of castor oil in a week...nothing happened. My doctor said it usually will bring on contractions, but only if your cervix is soft or ripe. Good luck...I know how frustrating it is at 37 weeks...

Answer 8

Apparently there is something in sperm that triggers labour late in pregnancy, but it doesn't work for every woman. When I was pregnant at 39 weeks the midwifes suggested that we have a lot of sex to bring on labour. I think it worked for me.

Answer 9

Yes it can.
The same hormones that are released during sex are the same hormones that can produce active labour. But it's more than a twice a day thing here. It is not going to interfere with your normal sex life.

Answer 10

Yup! Both a chemical in the male's semen and the orgasm itself will help bring on labour. The chemical let off in your body from the orgasm is the same that is made by breastfeeding a baby, etc., and helps promote the uterus to contract, and the chemical in the semen can help with this, as well.