Sex to help start labour but how often?

[Dogsmom]

I'm 38 weeks pregnant with dd2 and have been having a few signs this week that things are moving in the direction such as a constant headache, loose stools, Braxton hicks, nausea, feeling moody plus had a presentation scan on Tuesday and the sonographer said she is head down and very low.

I spoke to a customer in the week who is a former midwife and she said that sex can help start things off, I'd read this before about the prostaglandins ripening the cervix but haven't found any information about how often.

Last night after reading up a bit more I woke dh up for sex (much to his delight!) and fell asleep hoping for things to start but today there's no change.

Has anyone had success after dtd? or is it a case of it'll only work if you're going to go into labour anyway? or is it a complete myth? or does it take a few sessions?

A few of my friends swear blind it worked for them. It didn't for me however.

It never worked for Me either we dtd every night with ds2 and I went 12 days over and had to be induced. I've heard evening primrose oil is meant to have a similar effect (prostaglandin softening the cervix) take 2 orally and insert 2 internally before bed. Good luck I hope it works for you I'm also 38wk with ds3 and desperate for something to happen soon although going off ds2 arrival time I'm not holding my breath it'll be any time soon

It certainly gave me some really strong braxton hicks last night. I've still got a few weeks left though so wouldn't expect it to make to much difference yet. Can see how it could push things along if at right stage though.

I believe there is evidence that nipple stimulation can start things off. Give it a go. Can't hurt

I've read about the nipple stimulation too but it said 3x a day for an hour, I don't think I could bear it as they're so sensitive.

I might keep that info from dh and have a tweak myself.

Ahem I think doggy style is recommended for extra stimulation! I was in labour less than 24 hours later.

Worked for us but I think you need to orgasm too as this releases oxytocin too I believe. Good luck!

Well I had sex on the Monday am (first time in weeks!) and went into labour about 4 hours later, but as I was 6 days overdue the likelihood was that I was going to go into labour then anyway. I don't think there's any recommended frequency. Only do it if you fancy it!

I tried everything, literally everything! My lo ended up coming 2 days after we'd moved house and a few hours after we'd finished decorating, like my body knew when it was ok for her to arrive, I can remember I really wanted her to be born earlier (my 1st and 2nd were 37 + 38 wks, but now I'm so glad she arrived that little bit later.

It only works if you would have gone into labour anyway. It can give it a bit of a jumpstart, but only if it was about to happen anyway.

I was very over due. At about 40 +11 as at end of tether, had had endless sweeps/ acupuncture/ long walks. We had sex, possibly about 2 or 3 times over the course of 36-48 hours. Went into labour 40 +13.

Why not try it? It's definitely more fun than having a sweep.

It doesn't work. In all research they have never, ever found any evidence of it making a blind bit of difference.

If it did work then they'd ban sex in pregnancy. Of course a few people had sex and then went into labour. That's coincidence. You'll find hundreds more for whom it made no difference at all. Plus, all the people who had sex and labour started x hours later. It's never the Jaffa cake or the baked beans or the episode of Songs of Praise that did it, it's the sex a random number of hours beforehand. Usually it's the fact that they're 41 weeks pregnant tbh.

Seriously, the science tells us it doesn't work. It's like telling a heroin addict to sniff a poppy. Yes the theory is there. There are prostaglandins in semen but they won't start labour. In fact, the type of prostaglandins they are, you'd be better off ingesting them orally iyswim. Still wouldn't work but it makes more sense theoretically.

Worked for me the first time, but I think I was already in the very early stages. Tried again this time round and nothing.

Despite advocating above I would concur with what Showy says! Although if you feel up to it it's one of the better ways to feel as though you're doing something!

Didn't work for me