Sex to Induce Labor?

The advice to have sex to induce labor is one you will hear often. But does it work?

Before we go into the details as to whether it works to induce labor at term...rest assured that regular sexual intercourse during pregnancy is healthy, normal and for most women will NOT start labor. If you have an incompetent cervix however, sexual intercourse could result in premature labor. This is something you should discuss with you birth attendant.

So does sex to induce labor work? According to world known midwife Ina May Gaskin, yes it does! "What gets the baby in, gets the baby out." So why does it work?

Why Sexual Intercourse Can Start Labor

First of all, semen is a wonderful source of prostaglandins. So why is that a big deal? Prostaglandins are hormones which are also responsible for contracting your uterus and ripening your cervix. Incidentally when your doctor wants to "improve upon nature" and wants to start your labor or ripen your cervix, he is likely to use a gel. A prostaglandin gel...usually made from pig semen!

Second, skin to skin contact as well as orgasm produce oxytocin. What is oxytocin? Oxytocin is often called the love hormone. In a pregnant woman, its effect is to make your uterus contract. So in this case, the surge of oxytocin during orgasm could certainly start your labor. In any case it is worth a try.

Love Making to Induce Labor

Sex to induce labor will certainly more effective if your body is ready. This means that:

1) You are term - 37 weeks or more.

2) Your cervix is "ripe" - this means effaced, soft and dilated.

Sexual intercourse will produce a slew of beneficial hormones which have the potential to produce contractions which may result in labor but does not guarantee it.

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