sex in third trimester

[mollybob]

This is always suggested as a good thing especially when overdue - is there any truth in it? Whaty is the evidence? Is it prostaglandins in sperm ripening the cervix or is nipple twiddling and orgasm increasing the oxytocin levels as or more important?

DH is very keen to find out

I was also wondering if there was any evidence that chocolate brings on labour??? I'm 35ish weeks

hi mollybob, I think it has something to do with prostaglandins in the semen getting close to the cervix.

IME all it did was give me horrendous BHs for a few hours afterwards that would then die down. At 40 weeks + with SPD it was no mean feat either, probably the most rubbish sex of my life.

I gave up in the end, I am sure DP was glad really.

hi mollybob.. apparently theres a chemical in sperm that can bring on labour but you need plenty of it to do so.. in my opinion its an old wives tale..

this is my 3rd preg and with my 2DC all sex did at the end was be uncomfortable and brought on strong braxton which soon subided..

baby'll come when he/she is ready

as for chocolate sorry but i ate ample amount with my 2DC as i am a self-confessed chocoholic and nothing..

my daughter came 2wks early but thats because i was running round up n down a hill (the only way to and from my flat) trying to sort out my DS birthday party out. she was born 2wks early 4 days b4 my DS bday lol..

Good luck for the big day

well mollybob im on my 6th an its my sure fired way to labour ! i go completley off sex during pregnancy so i think having sex puts my body into shock or somthing but 2 days later im allways in labour !?!?!?

I'm not sure how much truth is in the sex thing, I think it just works for some and not for others!
Sperm contains prostglandins which help ripen the cervix, but it is debatable if there is enough to have any real effect. I read somewhere you would have to have sex every four hours for it to have any effect.
Nipple twiddling and orgasms both release oxytocin which stimulates your uterus to contract. (The same goes for orgasms when not pregnant) I think both of these only make any real difference if the baby is ready to come, otherwise i firmly believe nothing will budge them.
I am 39 weeks tomorrow with my first baby and have enjoyed sex most days throughout pregnancy and it hasn't stirred anything at all for me. And I haven't heard the chocolate one before i wish that would work!!
I've heard lots of positive things about taking raspberry leaf tea however ... If you have heard of it?
It doesn't bring labour on any faster but in studies has been shown to shorten the pushing stage
Best of luck