Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Does sex actually speed things up and do you need to do it lots?!

21 replies

Amberc · 13/05/2008 12:55

Got my baby shower on Sunday which has taken loads of meticulous planning by my sister but was planning on trying out a 'week 36 conjugal' tomorrow with the other half in the hopes that it would speed things up. My friend says this is not wise as I'm already partially engaged (find out at MW app tomorrow how much more he's moved down)with a huge baby and have had weird pink discharge which I think is also a good sign - should I wait? My poor other half has been looking forard to it for ages as we've not exactly been rampant tee hee!! But I don't want to miss my baby shower either. Probably a very silly question as 36 weeks is not even term but the baby is already estimated at 8 pounds and if he comes out at term he'll be 10 pounds (supposedly). Best to wait? Also for sex to have any action how often should you be doing it?

OP posts:
hertsnessex · 13/05/2008 13:03

Enjoy the sex! That alone doesn't bring on labour - unless your body was already gearing up itself.

hope the shower goes well

xx

Original poster
Amberc · 13/05/2008 13:06

hmmm - sex when you are the size of a bungalow and surviving on 2 hours sleep a night is not something I can be arsed to do unless I think it's going to have an effect!!!

OP posts:
FioFio · 13/05/2008 13:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

GordontheGopher · 13/05/2008 13:10

I did it when I was 10 days late and labour started within the hour.

lailasmum · 13/05/2008 13:13

My midwife told me it makes no difference unless you are going into labour any way.

Original poster
Amberc · 13/05/2008 13:20

My MW told me that the prostin in semen is just a less concentrated version of what they give you in an induction - is that bollox then? Gordonthegopher - you may well have gone into labour anyway at that point!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Amberc · 13/05/2008 13:20

My MW told me that the prostin in semen is just a less concentrated version of what they give you in an induction - is that bollox then? Gordonthegopher - you may well have gone into labour anyway at that point!!

OP posts:
mayx3 · 13/05/2008 15:32

My midwife told me today that sex and lots of it was the only thing that works to bring on labour. I'm currently 40+3 and despite the odd joke with DH haven't quite managed it yet, but as booked in for induction next week think will have to give it a try. The lots of it is particularly daunting!

Yes I've heard that semen contains same stuff as in the gel they use to induce you (why??). I doubt it will bring on labour if you're not ready though as otherwise they'd advise against it...

Enjoy - if it does bring on labour you might be home with a little un for your baby shower!

itwasntme · 13/05/2008 15:37

Bloody worked for me... too fast.

Decided at 38 and a half weeks that enough was enough, so I jumped dh at 2 in the morning.

It took a thrust and a half. I thought, yeah baby, I haven't been this wet in years. Dh thought I'd pissed myself all over him.

But no, I'd broken my waters.

If you do it, make sure you have your bags packed.

TheProvincialLady · 13/05/2008 15:52

Didn't work for me and I was already 2 weeks late. It was also probably the least romantic and sexy moment in our 11 year marriage! It won't make a jot of difference unless you are going to go into labour anyway and certainly not at 36 weeks unless you have problems with your cervix. If it was that easy then premature babies would be born all the time - it would be a bit of a design flaw.

ElmMum · 13/05/2008 15:55

Teacher at my NCT class told us that the pessary they give you in hospital to induce is made of pig semen. Nice. Human seman i.e. sex has the same effect - softens the cervix. Not sure how quickly it's 'supposed' to take but they give the pessary 8 hours before they reapply.

jammi · 13/05/2008 16:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

pagwatch · 13/05/2008 16:25

rofl at the idea of loads of sex in weeks before birth.
Seriously, if he had made a move I would have slapped him so hard....

I was perfectly punctual without any of that and my births were all less than three hours.

I seem to be becoming Margot Ledbetter. I think I shall embrace it as lifestyle choice.

sleepdeprivationandme · 13/05/2008 16:28

We did it loads all of the time. Still 10 days over due.

Oh and ate at least half a large pieapple a day. And had curries.Hot and lots.

The little darlings come when they are ready.

skidaddle · 13/05/2008 16:33

worked for me both times - did it twice in one day both times and baby arrived within 24 hours

I would definitely not try for a few weeks though unless you really fancy having some sex!

TheUnsinkableMB · 13/05/2008 16:43

Well...Ahem...a spot of DIY worked for me IYKWIM.

Had a show that same day, dd born the next night, a week early!

lailasmum · 13/05/2008 17:09

I think my midwife said it didn't work because there has been some recent study or report or something to show it doesn't but not sure exactly. I know the hormones are the same though maybe not high enough levels. I was 15 days overdue and standing in the delivery room about to be induced by Artificial rupture of Membranes so didn't ask any further but we had tried everything. I know that to get the high enough levels of bromelain enzyme from a pineapple you have to eat 7 whole fresh ones at a go. I was taking bromelain capsules at the end of my pregnancy and raspberry leaf capsules but nothing kicked it off.

They just arrive when its time.

CathyJo · 13/05/2008 17:25

I read that it is more effective if you ingest sperm as it is absorbed more effectively via the intestine - probably a big fib invented by a man !!

Original poster
Amberc · 13/05/2008 17:26

I'll do it to keep the boyfriend happy then but won't expect any miracles! 7 pineapples in one go eh? That can't be possible!!

OP posts:
PregnantPenguin · 15/05/2008 15:31

He He TheUnsinkable....I was told that sperm contain a small amount of the chemical they use to induce you, hence the link...

Truffy18 · 15/05/2008 21:05

I had sex out of desperation to induce labour when I was 39+4 at about 8pm. Had very slight cramps immediately after. Woke several times during the night and felt fine. Woke at 5.30am with some stronger cramps. DC2 born at 6.45am after a very quick dash to the hospital!! The midwives didn't even have time to get my trousers off before the head crowned!! I definately recommend it!! Easiest birth ever! (much better than my first anyway).

New posts on this thread. Refresh page