Is sex what induces labor? Or is it the sperm?... Has anyone tried inducing their labor by doing this?

Question

I'm 38 and a half weeks pregnant and as weird as it sounds, I want to try to induce my labor so that maybe I can have the baby this weekend. My husband started a new job and can't leave to be with me if I go into labor during the weekdays. So I want to try to have it this weekend. I will find out thursday if I've dilated any. I heard the best way to induce labor is walking and having sex. But I was wondering, is the actual sex or the sperm what induces labor? Has anyone tried inducing labor by having sex and walking and has it worked? How far along were you?

Answer 1

Let me clear this up since no one on here seems to know the whole truth about sex and labor...





There is a hormone in semen that can help induce labor



There is a hormone that is released when your nipples are stimulated that can induce labor



Orgasm does not induce labor - the endorphins released during orgasm are nor labor inducing.





And for the record your uterus contracting from orgasm does not induce labor or sex wouldn't be a safe act for anyone during pregnancy cause it could or would bring on labor all the time especially for those that get multiple orgasms





Hope that clears this up for all of you.

Answer 2

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RE:

Is sex what induces labor? Or is it the sperm?... Has anyone tried inducing their labor by doing this?

I'm 38 and a half weeks pregnant and as weird as it sounds, I want to try to induce my labor so that maybe I can have the baby this weekend. My husband started a new job and can't leave to be with me if I go into labor during the weekdays. So I want to try to have it this weekend. I will...

Answer 3

First of all, am I the only one who thinks it's ridiculous that your husband can't leave work for the birth of his child??? What kind of employer would expect that of someone? Seriously? You and your hubby need to have a serious talk.



Secondly, it isn't sperm that induces. Sex won't induce labor either. The prostaglandins found in semen can act to soften and ripen the cervix, and potentially orgasm can increase uterine irritability ( in other words, increases the likelihood of contractions), but these things in and of themselves will not stimulate labor to begin unless your body was ready for labor anyway. Nipple stimulation as part of foreplay may release the hormone oxytocin, but unless the nipple stimulation is prolonged over several hours, it's generally not enough oxytocin to induce labor.



Third, let nature take it's course. There's no rush to get the baby out. Anytime you try to force something to happen when it isn't ready, you're asking for complications. Your baby's health is what's important, not issues of convenience for a new job or anything else.



Good luck to you and congrats in advance.

Answer 4

Lots of ladies try inducing labor with sex. It is a hormone in the sperm called prostaglandin that can stimulate labor when it comes in contact with the cervix. Prostaglandin is what some docs use to induce labor in a hospital, but there are low levels in a man's sperm. Though it has never been officially proven, there is no harm done in trying.

Have you asked your doc if he can induce you? My husband was being deployed right around my due date so my doc was more than happy to induce me at 39wks to make sure my husband was there for the birth.

Answer 5

My personal opinion is that the whole idea of inducing labour by having sex with you're partner is to stimulate your uterus in the hope of contractions starting and to ripen/soften your cervix. I'm now on my forth child and with every pregnancy different scenarios assisted in bringing on labour. My first was actually running around the backyard and the next night I went into labour, my second was sex with my husband (and plenty of it) that had triggered off contractions, my third was a really long walk and a night out the next day my waters broke. I am now 37 weeks pregnant and feeling sluggish, heavy and over it! I'm ready to have my baby so tonight is night one, my husband and I are going to try having sex in the hope to assist in inducing contractions. As much as I have alternative motives by having sex with my husband the bonus is we get to be close and share something (hopefully) enjoyable to regain some of the passion and lust for each other that seems to diminish during pregnancy especially in the third trimester. Also in saying that your baby and your body has the final say, he/she will come when they are ready and your body is prepared for the journey ahead. But by all means give it a go it cant hurt and have fun doing it. Fingers crossed girls wish me luck!

Answer 6

There are several aspects of sex that can help you go into labor. First, the semen has a chemical in it, I think its called prostglandin, or something like it, that can help soften the cervix. Second, the hormone oxytocin is released when you are having sex. This hormone is also released when you breastfeed and when you are in labor, and is what causes uterine contractions. Interesting fact, it is also the hormone produced when we fall in love. Third, having an orgasm causes minor uterine contractions, which, if you are ready, could turn into labor contractions.

Other tried and true methods for inducing labor naturally include nipple stimulation, evening primrose oil, and red raspberry leaf tea, but I would consult your doctor or midwife before giving the second two a try.

Good luck and congrats!

Answer 7

It's more the act, than the sperm - this is what my midwives said. It stimulates contractions. And this isn't going to induce labor unless your body is ready to go into labor on it's own. You could try having the dr "strip" your membranes - sometimes that works, sometimes not (didn't work for me). You can walk and it helps, but I was still 1-2 weeks past my due date with all 4 of my kids.

You can take Castor Oil to induce labor - it's completely harmless. It will make you have diarrhea, which fools your body into thinking it needs to go into labor. It isn't pleasant, but it worked every time I took it. I was never brave enough to use it before 40 weeks though, just in case my body wasn't ready. It won't work unless you are ready - so just be sure. It would be bad to make yourself run to the bathroom like that and go through the cramping for nothing. If you use it - take 2 Tbs and follow with soda (your choice) to cut the oil in your mouth. Plugging your nose will help you not taste it too - best wishes! It worked like a charm for me!

Answer 8

Does Semen Induce Labor

Answer 9

It is the sperm that induces the labor.

I was 10 days over due when having sex worked. A few hours later we had our son.

Your can also try nipple stimulation.

However, do not use castor oil. It is a myth that will make you miserable.

Best wishes and congrats!

Answer 10

Why not let the baby come when it is his/her time to come. Why interfere with what is going on in there. I have six children and have tried doing things to induce the labor like having sex and having orgasms. The only thing that worked was letting the baby come when he/she was ready. However I do know someone who has induced her labor and she ended up with a c-section, and an unhappy baby.The goal is to have a happy healthy baby.

Answer 11

At 38 weeks, we tried everything just short of castor oil to induce labour at home, I was in so much pain.



Sex is suppose to combine the contractions of orgasms and a chemical found in semen to start the process. Didn't work for us, but go to town every night and see what happens!



Tried walking nightly for 30-45 minutes to get things moving, didn't work, but others said this is a tried and true way to get things rolling.



I've also heard the spicy food thing helps your bowls loosen which in turn starts the labour process.

Answer 12

Now that I'm pregnant I really enjoy watching all the different baby shows on discovery health channel in the morning as I'm waking up for my day and on one of the shows they said that between the orgasms contracting your uterus and the sperm (which softens the cervix and can speed dialating along) is what helps jump it along!

Answer 13

Its the act of sex, not the sperm! The way your body reacts can cause you to dialate and have contractions. Walk, and drink lots of water as well! We tried this when I was preggers, and it did work... I was 38 weeks along at the time. And don't panic if you pee and there is a little blood if you do try, same thing happened to me... the doc said it was just natural. Good Luck!!

Answer 14

It's never been proven that sex does anything to help start labor, but it's fun to try.

Answer 15

It's sex. The act sends spasms through your vaginal area and, in theory, some people think it stimulates labor. Didn't work for me but, hey...it was fun anyway. :)

Answer 16

Im in the process right now actually

i am 38 weeks and 3days along

me and my boyfriend have been doing it

like crazy!! i will find out if im dialated more tomorrow, as far as i know im dialated to one, you have to make sure his semen is in you tho, do not let him pull out, the semen helps soften the cervix, also rub your nipples, nipple stimulation helps, and make sure you have an orgasm , it contracts the uterus hopefully well have some progress ayye!

Answer 17

I've heard the sperm has something in it that can trigger labor, but orgasm, for you, would prolly be even more effective, b/c it just makes more sense....the contracting and such...

Answer 18

I have tried everything in the past. Castor oil, stairmaster, sex, etc.



It's the uterus contracting that gets you rolling. Good luck.

Answer 19

It is the sex I think. I think it is the pressure pushing on your cervix. I think that sex and walking is the safest way to ecduce on your own. I think that you should try to walk a lot and have sex once a day if your doctor hasnt told you to retain.

Answer 20

try walking, sex, spicy food...none of those things worked for me though but that was what my doctor told me to try. i had my first son 3 days early and my second son a week late

Answer 21

Its orgasm which causes contractions...