Can Sex Induce Labor?
Another strategy that gets positive reviews from doctors and midwives is inducing labor the same way you started your pregnancy — by having sex. “I tell my patients to do that all the time,” Harper says. Although there’s no proof sex can start labor, there is a good reason why it might. “It creates a prostaglandin release, which is similar to the medications we use for inducing labor. Because no harm comes from it, it is reasonable to try.” “I think sex is a great idea,” Stein agrees. But make sure your water has not broken and your doctor or midwife has given you the green light. She adds that it’s important for the man to ejaculate inside the vagina. “This ejaculate contains prostaglandins which stimulate the cervix … possibly leading to contractions.
