Sex as a natural induction method...

AfterAll

Does that only apply if you have made some progress.. or does it help you to make progress?

*Note, I am not trying to induce labor, I am just curious*

TIA

dottymobo

The theory is that the prostaglandins in semen can help ripen the cervix. Cervadil is an artifical prostaglandin.

CMM05

I don't know....I personally think its just another OWT.

I was on "pelvic rest" (i.e NO sex allowed....) for my ENTIRE 3rd trimester with DS. My water broke on its own at 38w4d and when I got to the hospital I was already 6cm and 80% effaced, so I kind of think its a crock......

 

tnpjuly04

Semen has prostaglandins (sp??) in it, which help to ripen your cervix.  Orgasms (your own) can help bring on contractions.  Nipple stimulation produces oxytocin, the natural horomone that gets contractions going.  It can't hurt labor coming, but if your body isn't ready, you won't go into labor.  I had sex a lot with both my other pregnancies.  Those monkeys liked it in there though.

erinb31

What I have read is that semen has prostoglandins in it, which ripen the cervix.  The ripening of the cervix can help jumpstart dilation.  So it sounds like semen mainly help when you are not already dilated, but I guess further ripening could help things progress, too?

alatchaw

A labor and delivery nurse yesterday told me that you need to "lay there and let the semen soften your cervix instead of running to the bathroom".... lol so I don't think it's just an OWT.