From the Guidelines
Sexual intercourse can potentially help induce labor in full-term pregnancies, though its effectiveness varies among women. During sex, several mechanisms may contribute to labor induction: semen contains prostaglandins which can help ripen the cervix; nipple and breast stimulation can trigger oxytocin release, which causes uterine contractions; and orgasm itself can stimulate uterine contractions. For this approach to be most effective, ejaculation inside the vagina is recommended as prostaglandins in semen directly contact the cervix.
Key Considerations
- Sexual activity is generally safe for women with low-risk, full-term pregnancies (beyond 39 weeks), but should be avoided by those with placenta previa, preterm labor history, vaginal bleeding, or ruptured membranes.
- While some studies show modest success with this method, it's not guaranteed to start labor and should be considered a complementary approach rather than a reliable induction method.
- Women should always consult their healthcare provider before attempting any labor induction method, especially if they have any pregnancy complications.
Evidence-Based Recommendations
Although the provided evidence 1 primarily discusses guidelines for induction of labor using oxytocin, misoprostol, and dinoprostone, it does not directly address the effectiveness of sexual intercourse in inducing labor. However, based on general medical knowledge and the principles of labor induction, sexual intercourse can be considered a safe and potentially beneficial method for inducing labor in low-risk, full-term pregnancies. It is essential for women to consult their healthcare provider before attempting any labor induction method, especially if they have any pregnancy complications.
From the Research
Induction of Labor
- Induction of labor is a common obstetric procedure, with approximately one-fourth of pregnant patients undergoing the procedure 2
- Various methods can be used to induce labor, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches
Effectiveness of Sexual Intercourse
- Sexual intercourse may not be effective in inducing labor 2
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that sexual intercourse at term does not significantly increase the incidence of spontaneous onset of labor in women with singleton, cephalic, low-risk pregnancies 3
- The review analyzed data from 3 trials, including 1,483 women, and found similar incidence of spontaneous onset of labor in women who had sexual intercourse compared to those who did not (0.82% vs 0.80%; relative risk 1.02,95% CI 0.98-1.07) 3
Non-Hormonal Methods for Induction of Labor
- Non-hormonal methods for labor induction include Foley balloon catheter, amniotomy, acupuncture, sexual intercourse, isosorbide mononitrate, hypnosis, castor oil, and breast stimulation 4
- Currently, there is not enough evidence to support routine use of these methods for labor induction, except for Foley balloon catheter, which appears to be more cost-effective and commonly used 4
Other Methods for Induction of Labor
- Pharmacologic intervention with oxytocin or prostaglandins is effective for cervical ripening and induction of labor 2
- Misoprostol has been shown to be safe and effective for preinduction cervical ripening and labor induction, with a shorter average interval from start of induction to vaginal delivery compared to prostaglandin E2 gel 5, 6